Fernandina Beach Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Fernandina Beach Building Permits: Apply, Pay, Inspect & Close Out

If you are building, remodeling, replacing a roof, installing new windows, changing electrical or plumbing work, adding a structure, or checking an existing permit in Fernandina Beach, the most important first step is making sure you are dealing with the correct permitting authority.

First: Is the Property Actually Inside Fernandina Beach?

A Fernandina Beach mailing address does not always prove that the property is inside the incorporated City. This matters because the City and Nassau County operate separate building departments and separate permit systems.

Micro-step: Open the CityView Portal → choose Property Information → search the property. If the site is outside City jurisdiction, check the Nassau County Building Department before paying or uploading plans.

Fernandina Beach Building Department Contact Information

The City’s permit page states that permit applications are accepted until 4:30 p.m. For most applications, however, the practical starting point in 2026 is the online CityView system.

Official Building Department page  |  Official permit information

Do You Need a Building Permit?

Fernandina Beach follows the Florida Building Code requirement that regulated construction, alteration, repair, demolition, change of occupancy and installation or modification of electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems generally require approval before work begins.

Common projects that may require a City building or trade permit include:

• new homes and commercial buildings;
• room additions and structural alterations;
• remodeling that affects regulated building systems;
• roof replacement and many roof repairs;
• windows and exterior doors;
• electrical service or wiring work;
• HVAC installation or replacement;
• plumbing and water-heater work;
• gas systems and gas tanks;
• demolition;
• accessory structures;
• signs;
• construction trailers; and
• certain changes in building occupancy or use.

If your job is unusual, call 904-310-3135 before purchasing materials or beginning work. A five-minute jurisdiction or permit check can prevent an after-the-fact permit and additional fees later.

How to Apply for a Fernandina Beach Building Permit

1. Confirm City jurisdiction.
   Use the property search in CityView. If the parcel is in unincorporated Nassau County, stop and use the County process instead.
2. Check zoning, historic-district and flood requirements before preparing final plans.
   Some projects need Planning & Conservation, Historic District Council, floodplain, Utilities or other review in addition to the building permit.
3. Create a new CityView account.
   Open CityView → choose the registration/sign-in option → create your account. The City states that previous portal credentials will not work in the new system. Use the email already associated with City records when possible.
4. Choose “Apply for a Building Permit.”
   From the Building Department area of CityView, select the permit application option rather than planning, utilities or business-license applications.
5. Select the permit type that actually matches the work.
   Use the correct category for new construction, alteration, trade work, re-roofing, demolition or the applicable project. Choosing an incorrect permit type can lead to review delays.
6. Enter the property and project information.
   Use the correct job-site address, parcel information, owner details, contractor information, project description and construction value.
7. Upload plans and supporting documents.
   CityView provides an Upload Submittals function. Upload complete and readable files. Do not submit only part of a plan set if the full package is required.
8. Monitor the application.
   Use Application Search or your account dashboard to check review status. Respond to correction comments instead of creating a duplicate application.
9. Pay the assessed fees.
   CityView includes a fee-estimation function. The City’s current online payment information lists credit/debit cards and eCheck.
10. Wait for permit issuance before starting regulated work.
    Submitting an application, paying an initial fee or receiving zoning review is not the same as having an issued building permit.

What Should You Prepare Before Applying?

The exact submittal depends on the project. A simple mechanical replacement will not require the same package as a new house, addition or commercial building.

Before opening the application, have as many of these items ready as apply to your job:

• property address and parcel information;
• property-owner information;
• clear description and scope of work;
• construction value;
• contractor and subcontractor information;
• site plan or survey;
• architectural or structural plans;
• signed/sealed engineering where required;
• Florida product approvals for regulated exterior products where applicable;
• electrical, mechanical and plumbing information;
• energy-code documents for applicable construction;
• flood-zone or elevation information;
• Historic District approval if applicable;
• zoning approval where required;
• utility information for new connections; and
• other project-specific agency approvals.

For commercial work or complicated projects, review the resources linked from the City’s Building Department page before submitting. The City provides project bulletins, commercial application guidance and construction-site information there.

Fernandina Beach Building Permit Fees

The latest Building Department fee schedule currently linked from the City’s permit page is the schedule revised October 1, 2024 under Ordinance 2024-17. Because CityView now includes a live Estimate Fees tool, use the portal estimate and the actual City invoice for your current project rather than treating an older published amount as a guaranteed final price.

View the City’s published Building Permit Fee Schedule

The all-inclusive building permit schedule covers several building/trade components for applicable new construction, additions and remodels, but it specifically excludes certain items such as gas, irrigation and some re-roof work. New construction can also involve zoning, utility, mobility, school or municipal impact charges.

How Fernandina Beach Building Inspections Work

Once a permit is issued, required inspections happen at specific stages of construction. Work that needs inspection should remain visible until the appropriate inspection is completed.

The current CityView portal allows users to check application and inspection status. The City also publishes buildinginspections@fbfl.city and 904-310-3135 for inspection assistance.

To request or check an inspection

1. Open CityView.
2. Sign in to the account connected to the permit.
3. Open the permit/application record.
4. Review the inspection section and current status.
5. Choose the appropriate inspection action when available.
6. Have the permit number, job address and requested inspection type ready.
7. If online scheduling is unavailable or you need help, call 904-310-3135 or email buildinginspections@fbfl.city.

The City’s inspection guidance has used a 3:30 p.m. cutoff for next-business-day requests. Because Fernandina Beach changed permitting software in August 2026, verify the current scheduling availability in CityView when the timing of an inspection is important.

Approved building plans should be available at the job site for required inspections.

Historic District, Zoning, Floodplain and Utility Reviews

One of the easiest mistakes in Fernandina Beach is assuming the Building Department is the only review needed. The City routes many projects through other departments depending on the location and scope.

Historic District projects

Exterior projects within the City’s historic districts may need a Certificate of Approval before the building permit can proceed. The City’s fee and planning guidance directs applicants to complete the appropriate Planning/Historic District review first.

Micro-step: Check whether the parcel is in a historic district → contact Planning & Conservation if needed → complete the Historic District approval process → obtain the required decision → then continue with the building permit.

Planning & Conservation: 904-310-3480
Official Planning & Conservation page

Zoning review

A project may comply with structural building rules and still fail zoning requirements. Setbacks, building placement, accessory structures, fences, signs, lot coverage and land use can involve separate Planning review.

This is especially important for small accessory structures: being exempt from a building fee does not necessarily eliminate zoning approval.

Floodplain review

Fernandina Beach includes properties subject to floodplain requirements. The City states that new construction and substantial improvements in regulated flood areas must comply with applicable Florida Building Code flood provisions.

For a structure considered substantially damaged or substantially improved, an Elevation Certificate may be required to establish the required floor elevation.

Fernandina Beach official floodplain building guidance

Water and sewer

New buildings, additions and other projects involving City utility connections may also need Utilities Department review and separate connection or impact fees. The City lists 904-310-3420 for utility-related permitting and connection questions.

Which Florida Building Code Applies in November 2026?

As of November 2, 2026, the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023) remains the statewide code edition currently in effect. Florida’s 9th Edition (2026) is scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2026.

If you are preparing plans close to that transition date, ask the Building Department which code edition will apply to your application before paying for final engineering or design work.

Florida Building Commission

How to Search a Fernandina Beach Permit or Application

You do not need to call the department every time you want to check a current application.

1. Open the CityView Portal.
2. Go to the Building Department section.
3. Select Application Search.
4. Search using the information you have available.
5. Open the matching record.
6. Review application status, uploaded information and available inspection details.

CityView also provides a separate Property Information search, which can be useful before starting a new application.

Need older records?

The City states that records produced before its online permitting software went live in March 2020 may be requested through cddinfo@fbfl.city or through a City public-records request.

The City Clerk’s Office handles public-record access and can be reached at 904-310-3115.

Practical Checklist Before You Submit

• Confirm the property is inside Fernandina Beach city limits.
• Check zoning before designing around assumed setbacks.
• Check whether the property is in a historic district.
• Check flood-zone requirements.
• Identify the exact building/trade permit needed.
• Create your new CityView account.
• Use the same email already associated with City records when possible.
• Prepare a complete scope of work.
• Confirm construction valuation.
• Upload complete plans and supporting documents.
• Watch CityView for review comments.
• Do not start regulated work before permit issuance.
• Keep approved plans available for inspections.
• Schedule inspections before work is covered.
• Confirm all final inspections pass before treating the permit as complete.

Official Fernandina Beach Permit Resources

If you are comparing permit procedures elsewhere in Florida, see our Atlantic Beach Building Department guide and Clearwater Building Department guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Information reviewed November 2, 2026. USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with the City of Fernandina Beach, Nassau County or the State of Florida. Permit requirements, fees, software procedures and code provisions can change.