What's Required in Jacksonville
- ADUs must be accessory to a conforming single-family dwelling.
- ADUs must be located behind the primary structure and not in a required yard.
- Footprint is limited to 25 percent of the main house's gross floor area or 750 square feet, whichever is less.
- Property must have a homestead exemption or a pending homestead application.
- Attached ADUs must be physically separated, with no direct internal access to the house.
- New ADUs must visually relate to the house (roof shape, porches, paint color).
- The application must certify HOA or deed-restriction status and, if applicable, that an ADU is allowed.
- A Notice of Commencement is required when improvements exceed $5,000.
Can you build an ADU in Jacksonville?
Yes, within the rules of Zoning Code Section 656.403(g). These are the rules the code sets:
- The ADU must be accessory to a conforming single-family home.
- It must be located behind the house and outside any required yard.
- Its building footprint is limited to 25 percent of the main house's gross floor area or 750 square feet, whichever is less.
- It may be attached or detached. An attached unit must be physically separated, with no internal door to the main house.
- The property must have a homestead exemption, or you must have applied for one with the Duval County Property Appraiser.
- The permit application asks you to certify whether you're in a deed-restricted community or HOA. If you are, you must confirm the ADU is allowed under its rules.
- New structures need a visual match to the house, such as a similar roof shape and paint color.
Height falls under the accessory-structure rules. A unit over 15 feet must meet the house's setbacks and can't be taller than the house. Florida's ADU statute, FS 163.31771, says a local government may allow ADUs in single-family zones. It does not require cities to allow them. Jacksonville's Zoning Section FAQ still says a garage apartment depends on your zoning district and whether it has a kitchen, so confirm your district with Zoning at (904) 255-8300.
How much does an ADU permit cost in Jacksonville?
A new ADU is an accessory building under Section 320.409, subsection (1). It's charged per 100 square feet of enclosed area:
- $6.38 BID fee
- $1.60 resource management
- $2.13 Development Services
- $8.75 debris
Single-family accessory structures are exempt from the landscape fee. The BID minimum is $112.50 or $33.75 per required inspection, whichever is greater. Development Services is at least $37.50 or $11.25 per inspection, and plan review is 67% of the BID fee or $90. Trade permits come on top:
- electrical: $100 under the room-addition line or $170 for a new single-family service
- plumbing: $11 per fixture, $60 minimum
- mechanical: $60 minimum
- 600 sq ft ADU, three or fewer inspections: $112.50 + $9.60 + $37.50 + $52.50 + $90 = $302.10 building. Add electrical $100, plumbing $66 (six fixtures) and mechanical $60 for $528.10.
- 750 sq ft ADU, eight inspections: $270 + $12.80 + $90 + $70 + $180.90 = $623.70. With a $170 service, $66 plumbing and $60 mechanical, it's $919.70.
These totals leave out JEA water and sewer charges and any mobility fee. The city lists a $28 De Minimis Concurrency and Mobility Fee Review. Ask Concurrency Management at (904) 255-8330 what your unit owes.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Detached ADU behind the house | Building + electrical + plumbing + mechanical | About $528-$920 in city permit fees |
| ADU footprint on a 2,000 sq ft house | Zoning review | Up to 500 sq ft (25 percent) |
| ADU footprint on a 4,000 sq ft house | Zoning review | Capped at 750 sq ft |
| Attached ADU | Building permit | No direct internal access to the house |
| Lot without a homestead exemption | Not allowed | Homestead required or applied for |
| HOA or deed-restricted lot | Certification on the application | Confirm the HOA rules allow it |
| ADU over 15 ft tall | Zoning review | House setbacks, no taller than the house |
Who can build it?
A Florida-licensed general, building or residential contractor usually files. The state owner-builder exemption covers a home for the owner's own use that isn't offered for sale or lease. If you plan to rent the ADU, hire a contractor. You need proof of homestead exemption either way. Plan review starts after zoning and Development Services sign off, and the first review takes 25-30 business days.
How to Get a ADU Permit in Jacksonville
Confirm zoning and homestead
Check that the lot has a conforming single-family home, a homestead exemption and no HOA ban. Ask Zoning at (904) 255-8300 about your district.
Size and site the unit
Keep the footprint within 25 percent of the house's floor area or 750 square feet, place it behind the house outside required yards, and match the house's look.
Design and submit
Have plans prepared and signed, then submit through JaxEPICS with the site plan, energy forms and the HOA certification.
Clear reviews and utilities
Zoning, Concurrency and Development Services review first. Arrange JEA water and sewer release, then pay the plan review fee for BID review.
Build and inspect
Record the Notice of Commencement, link the trade permits, and pass each inspection through final to get a certificate of occupancy.