Jacksonville Beach, FL Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Section 34-611(e)(1)g of the Land Development Code sets the maximum height for a single-family dwelling unit in the RS-1 zoning district at thirty-five feet. The same section governs the lot area of nine thousand square feet and the yards that go with it, so height is one of several dimensional standards that apply to all permitted, conditional and accessory uses in the district.

The thirty-five foot figure repeats across the residential districts. RS-2 and RS-3 print a maximum height of thirty-five feet for single-family dwellings. RM-1 prints the same thirty-five feet for single-family dwellings, for townhouses of up to four units per building, and for multi-family dwellings.

Accessory construction is held lower. Section 34-716(c) limits residential accessory uses and structures such as detached garages, sheds, workshops and boat houses to fifteen feet in height. On an oceanfront lot, a detached accessory building built in the front yard setback area cannot exceed fifteen feet in height above grade, and a below-ground pool pump house is also capped at fifteen feet. An accessory dwelling unit under section 34-558(a)(7) shall not exceed fifteen feet in height. In RS-1, non-commercial television and radio antennas are limited to fifteen feet above roof line.

Section 34-724 carves out exemptions. The zoning district height limitations in Article VI do not apply to spires, belfries, cupolas, flag poles, antennas, water tanks, fire towers, cooling towers, ventilators, chimneys, radio and television towers, or elevator hoist ways, so long as they are not intended for human occupancy. Anything that people occupy stays under the district figure.

Height limits do not stand alone. Building permit review applies the Florida Building Code, and section 34-1202 sends Land Development Code violations to the special magistrate.