Duval County, FL Ordinances (2026)

Solar PV installations in Duval County require building and electrical permits from the Building Inspection Division. Florida Statewide Solar Permit (FL §553.912) mandates expedited review. Typical fees $250-$500.

HOAs cannot prohibit or meaningfully restrict solar panels countywide under FL §163.04. Florida has one of the strongest solar access laws in the nation. Applies to all HOAs in Duval County.

Jacksonville offers free bulk/yard waste pickup on scheduled day. Items must be separated and out by 6 AM. Trinity Transfer Station accepts drop-off of bulky items and household hazardous waste.

Jacksonville trash/recycling bins placed at curb no earlier than 6 PM day before pickup; removed by 6 PM day of pickup. Bins must be stored out of view from street between collections.

FL §403.706 sets 75% statewide recycling goal. Jacksonville provides weekly single-stream curbside recycling (paper, cardboard, plastics #1-2, metal cans, glass). No plastic bags. Contamination tags refuse pickup.

Jacksonville residential trash picked up twice weekly; recycling weekly; yard waste weekly. Bags must be tied; no loose trash; max 50 lbs per bag. Missed pickup: call 630-CITY (630-2489) within 24 hours.

Vacant lots in Duval/Jacksonville must be mowed (grass under 12 inches), free of debris and illegal dumping, and secured against trespass per Ord. Code Chapter 518.

Duval/Jacksonville permits residential garage and yard sales without a permit, limited to 2-3 sales per address per year, each no longer than 2-3 consecutive days, per Ord. Code Chapter 150.

Jacksonville Ordinance Code Chapter 518 (Property Safety and Maintenance Code) defines blight — overgrown grass, accumulated debris, inoperable vehicles, structural decay — and authorizes abatement by Municipal Code Compliance countywide.

Duval/Jacksonville residents must store trash and recycling carts out of public view except between 6 PM the day before collection and midnight on collection day, per Ord. Code Chapter 382.

Not applicable — Duval County's subtropical climate (Jacksonville averages below freezing only a handful of nights per year) means no snow-clearing ordinance exists.

Jacksonville-Duval County requires a home occupation permit for most home-based businesses. Zoning Code Chapter 656 Part 4 governs home occupations and restricts signage, outdoor storage, customer visits, and employees. The consolidated city-county government applies these rules…

Family and large family home daycares in Duval County licensed by FL DCF under FL §402.313/§402.3131. Zoning allows family daycare as accessory home occupation in residential districts.

Cottage food operations legal countywide under FL §500.80. No county registration or inspection required up to $250,000 annual gross sales. Direct-to-consumer and online/mail sales allowed statewide.

Customer visits to home occupations in Duval County must not change the residential character of the neighborhood. No retail walk-in traffic; by-appointment only with limited volume.

Home occupation signage is prohibited in residential zones countywide. Ordinance Code Chapter 656 bars any exterior sign or display advertising a home-based business.

Home occupations permitted countywide in Duval (consolidated Jax-Duval) under Ordinance Code §656 zoning districts RLD/RMD/RHD with registration through Planning & Development. Must remain clearly incidental to residential use.

Fences over 6 ft tall, fences in the sight triangle, pool barriers, and retaining walls over 4 ft in Duval County require a building permit from Jacksonville Building Inspection Division. Typical fee: $75-$150. Fences under 6 ft in compliance with §656.407 do not need a permit.

Retaining walls over 4 ft tall (measured from bottom of footing) in Duval County require a building permit and engineered drawings. Walls under 4 ft supporting only soil (no surcharge) are generally permit-exempt. All walls in drainage/flood areas need review.

Ch. 656 requires finished side facing neighbors, no fences in easements, and no obstruction of stormwater drainage. Electric fences prohibited in residential zones.

FL §515 (Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act) requires every residential pool in Duval to have an approved barrier: 48-inch fence with self-closing/self-latching gate, or approved safety pool cover, or door/window exit alarms on the house. Barrier permit required.

Barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fences are restricted in Duval residential zones under §656.407(g). Hurricane zones require fence materials and fastening capable of withstanding 140 mph wind loads per Florida Building Code.

Florida is not a mandatory shared-fence state — Duval County does not require neighbors to split fence costs. Builder owns and maintains their fence; the finished (smooth) side must face outward. Florida has no spite-fence statute; malicious fences are a common-law nuisance.

Jacksonville-Duval Ordinance Code §656.407 limits fences to 4 ft in front yards and 6 ft in side/rear yards. Corner lots have sight-triangle restrictions. Fences over 6 ft require a building permit and may need zoning review.

Recreational drones require FAA TRUST test and registration (>0.55 lbs). LAANC authorization needed across most of Duval due to JAX Class C airspace. FL §934.50 prohibits surveillance of private property.

FAA Part 107 required for all commercial UAS operations. Much of Duval County falls within JAX (Jacksonville International) Class C airspace requiring LAANC authorization. NAS Jacksonville adds military restricted areas.

Residential driveways in Duval must be paved or stabilized (concrete, asphalt, pavers, or compacted stabilized material). Max driveway width at the right-of-way is typically 20 ft for single-family, 24 ft for circular. Curb cuts require a Public Works permit.

Duval County follows Florida Building Code for EV charging installations. Level 2 residential chargers require a standard electrical permit; public/commercial chargers follow FBC Chapter 27 and NEC Article 625. Jacksonville has no minimum EV-ready requirement for new…

FL 715.07 and Ch. 614 govern abandoned vehicles. Cars left 48+ hours on public streets face towing. Inoperable or unregistered vehicles on residential lots violate Ch. 518.

Duval County does not impose a general countywide overnight parking ban on public streets. Vehicles may remain overnight as long as they are legally registered, moved within 72 hours, and not in a posted no-parking zone. Residential permit zones in Riverside/Springfield restrict…

RVs, boats, and trailers may be parked on residential property in Duval but must be stored in a side or rear yard, or on a paved driveway behind the front building line. Street storage is limited to 48 hours per §656.404 Jax-Duval Code.

Jacksonville-Duval Ordinance Code §804 governs street parking. Vehicles may not park against the direction of traffic, within 15 ft of a hydrant, or block a driveway. Abandoned vehicle threshold is 72 hours per FL §316.1945 and §804.612 Jax-Duval Code.

Commercial vehicles over 1 ton or with lettering may not be parked overnight in Duval residential zones per §656.404(d) Jax-Duval Code. Tractor-trailers, buses, and heavy equipment are prohibited. Pickups and vans used for business are exempt.

Above-ground pools with water depth over 24 inches are 'residential swimming pools' under FL §515.25 and must meet barrier requirements. Duval requires building permit for installation.

Duval County enforces FL §515.27 Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act. Pool barrier minimum 48 inches, non-climbable, self-closing/self-latching gate. Applies countywide to all pools built after Oct 1, 2000.

All pool and spa installations in Duval County require a building permit from the Building Inspection Division. Typical fee runs $200-$600 based on project value; multiple inspections required.

FL Pool Safety Act requires approved safety feature; FL Building Code Chapter 45 governs pool construction. Duval requires anti-entrapment drain covers (VGB Act) and GFCI protection on all pool electrical.

Hot tubs/spas over 24 inches deep fall under FL Pool Safety Act. Locking safety cover ASTM F1346 satisfies barrier requirement. Permit required for installation in Duval County.

Under FL §509.032(7)(b), local occupancy caps for STRs must match those applied to non-vacation dwellings. Jacksonville applies its standard residential occupancy: roughly 2 persons per bedroom plus 2, subject to fire code.

Duval County has no annual night cap on STR rentals. F.S. 509.032 preempts local governments from restricting the duration or frequency of vacation rentals. Year-round operation is allowed.

Duval County has no local STR registry. Hosts register with Florida DBPR for a vacation rental license and obtain a county business tax receipt. DBPR number must appear in all advertising.

STR parking must stay on-site. Jacksonville Ord. Code Ch. 656 zoning requires one off-street space per bedroom in most residential districts; guest vehicles cannot block sidewalks or park on lawns.

Florida has no statutory minimum STR liability insurance. Duval/Jacksonville does not require a specific policy, but DBPR licensing and lender requirements typically drive operators to carry $1M in liability coverage.

STRs in Duval/Jacksonville require a state DBPR vacation rental license plus local registration under Jacksonville Ordinance Code Chapter 656 zoning rules. FL §509.032(7)(b) preempts any outright ban.

STR guests are bound by the same Chapter 368 noise rules as residents: 10 PM - 7 AM quiet hours, plainly-audible standard at 50 feet. Owners are responsible for guest behavior.

Duval County STRs owe 6% Tourist Development Tax, 6% state sales tax, and 1.5% Duval discretionary surtax — roughly 13.5% total tax on rentals under 6 months.

Carports in Duval County require a building permit and must meet 130+ mph wind load requirements. Setbacks match zoning district requirements for accessory structures.

Tiny homes on foundations must meet Florida Building Code and zoning minimum dwelling size. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) regulated as RVs under FL DHSMV and not permitted as permanent dwellings in Duval residential zones.

Garage conversions in Duval County require a building permit and must retain required off-street parking. Converted space often regulated as ADU under §656 and FL §163.31771.

Duval County allows accessory dwelling units in most residential zones per Ordinance Code §656. Jacksonville population (950K+) exceeds FL §163.31771 75K threshold, making ADU allowances broadly applicable.

Sheds under 100 sq ft in Duval County generally exempt from building permit but still must meet zoning setbacks. Larger sheds require a building permit. Max one accessory structure per lot in some districts.

Construction noise is generally restricted to 7 AM - 7 PM Monday through Saturday countywide under Jacksonville Ordinance Code Chapter 368. Sunday and holiday construction typically requires a permit or is prohibited.

Aircraft noise from NAS Jax, JAX airport, and Cecil Airport is federally preempted. Jacksonville maintains noise compatibility zones and a sound insulation program for homes within the 65 DNL contour.

Outdoor music in Jacksonville falls under the general Chapter 368 noise limits: 70 dBA daytime and 60 dBA after 11 PM at the residential property line. Event permits are available for concerts and festivals.

Jacksonville enforces decibel limits under Chapter 368: residential zones are limited to 70 dBA daytime and 60 dBA nighttime, measured at the receiving property line with A-weighted slow response.

Jacksonville Ordinance Code Chapter 368 sets decibel limits by zoning district. Industrial-zoned property is generally capped around 75 dBA at the receiving residential property line, 24 hours.

Amplified music audible beyond 50 feet of the property line, or across a residential property line at any distance during quiet hours, violates Jacksonville Ordinance Code Chapter 368.

Duval County/Jacksonville has no specific leaf-blower ordinance. Gas blowers are permitted and fall under the general Chapter 368 noise rules, meaning operation is allowed during daytime hours, typically 7 AM - 7 PM.

Persistent dog barking is an animal-nuisance violation under Jacksonville Ordinance Code Chapter 462 (Animals). Barking continuously for more than 10-15 minutes or intermittently for 30+ minutes is typically actionable.

Jacksonville/Duval (consolidated government) Ordinance Code Chapter 368 sets general nighttime quiet hours of 10 PM to 7 AM. Applies countywide except Beaches Cities (Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Baldwin) which have separate codes.

Jacksonville Ch. 656 restricts livestock to AGR zoning districts. Chickens, goats, and horses are prohibited in standard residential zones without special exception.

Exotic pet ownership governed by FL §379.3761 and FWC Class I/II/III permit system countywide. Jax-Duval Ord. Ch. 462 prohibits wild/dangerous animals as pets without FWC authorization.

No breed-specific legislation (BSL) in Duval County. FL §767.14 (amended 2023) PREEMPTS all local breed bans. Dangerous-dog designations apply to individual dogs based on behavior, not breed.

Feeding wild alligators, bears, and sandhill cranes prohibited by FL §372.667 and FWC rule 68A-4.001. Countywide enforcement in Duval.

Jacksonville-Duval allows backyard hens in residential zones under the Urban Agriculture program. Chapter 656 zoning code permits hens with registration; roosters and livestock restricted by zoning district.

Jacksonville-Duval Ordinance Code Chapter 462 requires dogs to be leashed or under owner control on all public property countywide. Animal Care & Protective Services (ACPS) enforces.

Beekeeping allowed countywide under FL §586.10 state preemption. Duval County cannot ban beekeeping. FDACS annual hive registration required.

Atlantic beaches (Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach) subject to FL §380.23 Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL). FDEP permit required east of line. Sea turtle lighting restrictions May 1-Oct 31.

Jacksonville-Duval MS4 Phase I NPDES (large MS4) with stormwater utility fee. FDEP-issued permit. Illicit discharges prohibited; monthly billed stormwater fee funds compliance.

Erosion and sediment control required on all construction sites disturbing 1+ acre under NPDES Phase I MS4 permit. Silt fence, inlet protection, stabilized construction entrance required.

Grading permit required for earthwork disturbing 1+ acre or altering drainage patterns. Cannot direct runoff onto neighboring properties. St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) ERP may apply.

Extensive AE/VE FEMA flood zones across Duval County along Atlantic beaches, Intracoastal Waterway, and St. Johns River. Post-Hurricane Matthew (2016) and Irma (2017) FEMA map updates. NFIP participation countywide; CRS discounts apply.

Rainwater harvesting legal and encouraged in Duval County. No permit required for typical residential rain barrels. SJRWMD and JEA support collection for outdoor irrigation.

Artificial turf generally permitted in Duval County for residential use. No countywide ban. FL §373.185 Florida-Friendly Landscaping preemption protects property owners from HOA prohibitions on efficient landscape designs.

Jax-Duval Ordinance Ch. 518 Property Safety Code requires removal of noxious weeds and prohibits accumulation of dead vegetation creating a fire or pest hazard.

Florida-friendly and native plant landscaping protected countywide by FL §373.185. Duval County encourages native species through FDACS and UF/IFAS extension programs.

Jacksonville-Duval Ordinance Code Chapter 518 limits turf/weed height to 12 inches on improved residential lots. Property Safety Division issues notices; liens for noncompliance.

Routine pruning of non-regulated trees does not require a permit in Duval County. Regulated and heritage trees under Jax-Duval Ch. 656 Part 12 require permission before pruning >25% of canopy.

St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) mandatory year-round 2-day-per-week irrigation limits apply countywide. No watering 10 AM-4 PM. JEA is the water utility.

Removing regulated trees (generally 8+ inches DBH) requires a permit from Jacksonville Planning Department under Ch. 656 Part 12. Replacement or mitigation fee required.

FL 553.885 requires smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level. New construction must have hardwired alarms with battery backup.

Jacksonville-Duval Ordinance Code Chapter 518 (Property Safety and Maintenance) requires property owners to maintain lots free of overgrowth, dead vegetation, and fire hazards. Code Compliance may order clearing; FL Forest Service defensible-space guidance (30 ft) applies in the…

Duval County has moderate wildfire risk concentrated in rural western areas (Baldwin, Dinsmore, Oceanway) and pine-palmetto corridors. Florida Forest Service (Jacksonville District) manages wildfire suppression countywide; there is no countywide mapped WUI overlay or special…

Backyard fire pits allowed in Duval County in approved containers under 3 feet diameter. Must be attended, 15+ feet from structures, clean firewood only.

Open burning of yard debris in Duval County requires an authorization from the Florida Forest Service (FFS) and must comply with FAC 5I-2. JFRD prohibits open burning within Jacksonville city/county limits except for approved recreational fires and agricultural burns with FFS…

Recreational fires in portable fire pits or chimineas are allowed countywide without a permit if the fire is under 3 feet in diameter, 2 feet tall, at least 25 feet from any structure, and uses only clean dry wood. JFRD follows Florida Fire Prevention Code (NFPA 1 §10.11).

FL §791.08 preempts any countywide fireworks ban on July 4, Dec 31, and Jan 1 — consumer fireworks are legal those 3 days countywide in Duval. Outside those dates, only sparklers and novelties are legal without a permit; aerial/explosive fireworks require a Jacksonville Fire &…

Jacksonville recognizes 'No Soliciting' signs posted at residences. Solicitors must respect posted signs. Violation is a trespass offense and grounds for permit revocation.

Commercial solicitors in Jacksonville require Peddler's Permit from Tax Collector's office. Background check required. Hours typically 9 AM-sunset (never past 9 PM). Religious/political canvassers exempt but must carry ID.

Duval County is in the FBC Wind-Borne Debris Region. FL 553.73 requires impact glazing or shutters on new construction. Design wind speed 130 mph.

Duval County does not have a countywide dark-sky ordinance. However, Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and Neptune Beach (within Duval) enforce sea-turtle lighting restrictions from May 1 to Oct 31 under FL §379.2431 — amber/red wavelengths only, shielded fixtures, visible…

Jacksonville-Duval Ordinance Code §656.408 addresses exterior lighting spillover — exterior lights shall not exceed 0.5 footcandles at a residential property line. Floodlights and security lights must be shielded and aimed within the property. No specific curfew.

Medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs) allowed only under FL §381.986. FL §381.986(8)(b) preempts local bans but allows 500-ft buffer from schools. Recreational cannabis ILLEGAL statewide.

Home cultivation ILLEGAL in Florida. FL §381.986 prohibits personal cultivation even for medical cardholders. All medical cannabis must be purchased from licensed MMTCs.

Duval County setbacks vary by zoning district. Typical RLD-60 single-family: front 20 ft, side 7.5 ft, rear 20 ft. Accessory structures: 5 ft side/rear. Coastal construction control line adds setbacks on beaches.

Duval County lot coverage governed by Ordinance Code Chapter 656 zoning districts. RLD-60 (low density): 35% max building coverage; RMD: 40%; RHD: 50%. Impervious surface caps also apply in some overlays.

Duval County residential height limits: RLD 35 ft, RMD 45 ft, RHD 60 ft per Ordinance Code Chapter 656. Waterfront and airport zones have additional height restrictions.

Tree removal permits required countywide for regulated trees (8+ inch hardwoods, 20+ inch pines) under Ch. 656 Part 12. Apply via Jacksonville Planning & Development Department.

Heritage trees (historic specimen trees, typically hardwoods 30+ inches DBH) receive enhanced protection under Jax-Duval Ch. 656 Part 12. Removal requires administrative hearing and heightened mitigation.

Approved regulated tree removals require inch-for-inch replacement or payment into the Tree Protection Trust Fund under Ch. 656 Part 12.

Holiday displays largely unregulated on private property. Restrictions apply if they create traffic hazards (excessive lighting), block sight triangles, or violate HOA rules. Sea turtle lighting rules apply on beaches May 1-Oct 31.

Garage sale signs allowed during sale days only. Max 4 sq ft, on private property with owner consent. Prohibited on utility poles, traffic signs, and public ROW. Must be removed within 24 hours of sale end.

Political signs protected by First Amendment and FL §713.0605. Jacksonville cannot ban political signs on private property. Reasonable size and time-after-election removal rules allowed.

Duval County has NO just-cause eviction ordinance. Florida Statute §83.57 allows landlords to terminate month-to-month tenancies with 15 days' written notice for any reason.

Duval/Jacksonville requires a Local Business Tax Receipt (LBTR) for landlords renting 4 or more units countywide, and all STRs regardless of count. There is no general single-family rental registry.

Duval County has NO rent control. FL §166.043(2) flatly preempts rent control statewide — the 2023 Live Local Act deleted the old housing-emergency referendum exception, so no local rent cap is possible.

Jacksonville allows up to 4 garage sales per residence per calendar year, each up to 3 consecutive days. Exceeding the limit qualifies as operating a business requiring zoning compliance.

Jacksonville garage sales typically allowed daylight hours only (dawn to dusk). No overnight sales. Must comply with quiet hours per noise ordinance (typically 10 PM-7 AM).

Jacksonville does not require a permit for residential garage sales within the 4/year, 3-day limit. Sales exceeding the limit require zoning review and Business Tax Receipt.

Jacksonville city/county parks closed sunset to sunrise unless posted otherwise. Beach parks (Hanna Park, Huguenot) have specific gate hours. Violations: trespass citation.

Jacksonville juvenile curfew (Ord. Code Ch. 603): under 18 not in public places 10 PM-6 AM Sun-Thu, 11 PM-6 AM Fri-Sat. Exceptions for work, school, emergencies, accompanied minors.

FL §509.102 preempts most local MFDV bans but allows zoning, time/location, and right-of-way rules. Jacksonville allows food trucks on private commercial property with owner consent; special event permits for public ROW.

FL DBPR Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle (MFDV) license required statewide. Jacksonville adds local Business Tax Receipt (BTR) and health permit from FL Dept of Health - Duval County. Commissary required.