Fernandina Beach, Florida Building Permit Guide

The City of Fernandina Beach Building Department at 204 Ash Street issues building permits inside city limits, and since the CityView portal went live on August 31, 2026 every application is filed there. The all-inclusive building permit costs $7.50 per $1,000 of construction value ($45 minimum) plus a $35 residential processing fee, and approval can take up to 30 days.

What requires a permit in Fernandina Beach?

The city requires a building permit before any improvements, repairs or alterations to a property. That includes building, demolition and change-of-occupancy work and any regulated electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing work. The Building Department publishes a "When Do I Need a Permit?" handout.

The city’s permitting page also distinguishes building permits from Planning & Conservation applications. Tree, fence, historic, planning-board or other land-development items may require separate city review in addition to the Building Department record.

Some small jobs are exempt from building fees: siding or roof repairs under 100 sq ft, and prefab accessory structures under 150 sq ft, which still need a zoning permit. Exterior work in the City’s historic districts needs a Certificate of Approval before the permit, through a Planning/HDC application (904-310-3480). Emergency equipment replacements and repairs can start first, but the permit application is due the next business day.

Fernandina Beach building department: who handles permitting

The Building Department routes each application through the other City reviews it needs: Planning & Conservation for zoning, trees, fences and historic work, Fire for commercial and multifamily plans, and Utilities for water and sewer connections.

Fernandina Beach permit types

Building, Planning & Conservation and Utilities moved to CityView in late August 2026. Create a new CityView account (old portal logins no longer work), using the email address the City already has on file where possible. While the City revises its forms, printable applications have been taken down, so file online. Common permit types:

• All-inclusive building permits for new construction, additions, remodels, windows and doors, and demolition
• Stand-alone electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits
• Gas, gas tank and irrigation permits
• Re-roofs on existing homes, and siding or roof repairs over 100 sq ft
• Mechanical and water heater changeouts
• Prefab accessory structures over 150 sq ft and construction trailers
• Signs
• Driveways in City rights-of-way

Permit costs and local fees

Fees come from the Building Department Schedule of Fees revised October 1, 2024 (Ordinance 2024-17). Construction value is the greater of the full job cost (labor, materials, profit and overhead, including the trades but not gas) or the floor area times $85 per covered sq ft for new homes ($115 for commercial) or the ICC Building Valuation Data.

For example, a $300,000 home has a $2,250 building permit fee (300 × $7.50) plus the $35 processing fee and state surcharges of 1.5% (DBPR) and 1% (DCA). After-the-fact permits cost up to 4 times the permit fee. Using a private provider refunds 50% of the permit fee for plan review, or $35 per passed inspection. The fee is set when the permit is approved; staff contact you with the amount, and it is paid when you receive the permit. Card payments carry a 3.1% fee ($2 minimum); eChecks are free.

New homes also pay: municipal impact fees of $3.95 per heated sq ft (police $0.26, fire $0.36, parks $2.89, public facilities $0.44), the Nassau County school impact fee of $5,430.60 per unit, a mobility fee ($3,989.51 for a new single-family home as of May 1, 2022), a $250 zoning review fee and a $10 address assignment through the Fire Department (904-277-7331). Water and sewer impact and tap fees are set by the Utilities Department (904-310-3420) and paid before permitting. Nassau County’s impact fee schedule effective April 1, 2026 states that its fees apply to development countywide, so ask the County whether its parks, fire rescue, law enforcement and administrative facility fees also apply to your project.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and other trade permits

The all-inclusive building permit covers the structure, new roofing, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work, so include the trade costs in the master permit value; each trade still pulls its own permit before starting, with a $35 subcontractor processing fee. Gas, irrigation and re-roofs on remodels need separate permits. Stand-alone trade permits use the same $7.50 per $1,000 table with a $45 minimum, except gas ($80 plus $7 per $1,000) and re-roofs. Mechanical changeouts without electrical work and water heater changeouts are $50.

Commercial and multifamily plans also get Fire Department plan review at 35% of the building permit fee, and fire sprinkler permits start at $80 for up to 50 heads plus $1 per extra head.

Alliance handles electrical permit filing for contractors here. More on this: who pulls the electrical permit.

Application documents and plan requirements

Applications are filed in CityView with the plans, contractor information and the documents for the permit type. The Building Department also publishes a commercial application requirements memo, a foundation staking plan memorandum and a construction site management plan key. Building questions go to 904-310-3135 or cddinfo@fbfl.city, and you can book a meeting with the Building Official through the department.

Other agencies may be involved: the St. Johns River Water Management District issues stormwater, wetland and environmental resource permits (800-451-7106), and Planning & Conservation handles tree and fence approvals and inspections.

How to apply: 6-step local process

Inspections in Fernandina Beach

Request inspections by email to buildinginspections@fbfl.city or by calling 904-310-3135. Requests received by 3:30 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day; later ones go two business days out. Results are posted in the online portal, usually in real time and always by the end of the business day. Each failed inspection costs $50. Virtual inspections are available for HVAC changeouts and re-roofs on request.

Local Fernandina Beach details that matter

Flood elevations: the Building Official, who is also the floodplain administrator, adds 0.4 feet to every whole-number base flood elevation on the FIRM to set the regulatory BFE. Freeboard on top of that is 2 feet for Flood Design Class 1 and 2 buildings and 3 feet for classes 3 and 4. Properties in a Special Flood Hazard Area or shaded X zone pay a $150 flood admin fee.

Historic districts: exterior projects need a Certificate of Approval from the Historic District Council before the building permit is issued.

Unpermitted work: report after-hours unpermitted construction by calling 904-310-3135 and leaving a message for the Building Department.

Florida building code

The Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), has applied statewide since 31 December 2023; the Florida Building Commission has proposed the 9th Edition (2026) to take effect on 31 December 2026. Florida permit rules

Fernandina Beach permit search and official resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Florida Building Code - 8th Edition (2023)
• 2024-2025 Building Fee Schedule
• Fire fee schedule
• CityView Portal
• Permits
• Building Department
• Fernandina Beach inspection reminders (November 2025)
• Fernandina Beach regulatory BFE bulletin
• Fernandina Beach building permit FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Who issues building permits in Fernandina Beach?

The City of Fernandina Beach Building Department, 204 Ash Street. Call (904) 310-3135. Jimmy Parr is the Building Official.

How do I apply for a permit in Fernandina Beach?

Apply online in the CityView Portal after creating an account. Old portal logins no longer work.

How much is a building permit in Fernandina Beach?

$7.50 per $1,000 of construction value up to $5 million, with a $45 minimum, plus a $35 residential or $50 commercial processing fee and state surcharges.

How long does it take to get a permit?

The City says approval of a building permit could take up to 30 days.

What impact fees apply to a new house?

$3.95 per heated sq ft in municipal impact fees, a $5,430.60 school impact fee, a mobility fee and a $250 zoning review fee, plus water and sewer fees set by Utilities.

How are inspections handled?

The Building Department performs inspections. Email requests to buildinginspections@fbfl.city or call 904-310-3135 by 3:30 p.m. for the next business day. Failed inspections carry a $50.00 re-inspection fee.

Simplify Fernandina Beach permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Florida. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Fernandina Beach permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.