Requirement
With few exceptions, lots must have legal frontage on a public or approved private street before the lot owners can pull building permits for new construction. (City Ord. Sec. 656.407)

Standards
Public streets and approved private streets must meet the same basic standards of construction. These standards are set forth in the Land Development Procedures Manual, City Standard Details, and City Standard Specifications.

The City Engineer may be open to some concessions regarding the standards for approved private streets, but not for standards that affect public safety (e.g., roadway width, minimum curve radius, dead-end turn-around, etc.). Concessions for approved private streets will be evaluated by the City Engineer on a case by case basis.

Advantages/Disadvantages
Public streets will be maintained by the city as long as it remains a public street. Approved private streets must be maintained to city standards by the adjacent owners, a homeowners association, or some other private entity in order to maintain its approved status.

Approved private streets can be gated providing exclusivity for the community. Public streets can not be gated or impeded in any way per local and state law.

Review Process
This web page addresses only the processes involving Development Services Review Group (DSRG). The developer or design professional should contact other agencies involved in land development to see what other reviews may be required. Here is a partial list of agencies to consider: Concurrency, Addressing, Current Planning, Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, JEA, St. Johns River Water Management District, and Florida Department of Transportation.

As for DSRG processes, with a few exceptions, public and approved private streets must go through the same review processes:

New Streets as Part of a Subdivision: The street is evaluated in conjunction with the other subdivision elements. The project must go through Site Development (10-Set) Plan Review, Plat Review and Recording, and Acceptance.

New Streets Only: The project must go through Site Development (10-Set) Plan Review. Once the 10-Set plans are approved the right of way for a public street can be turned over to the city through platting or deed of dedication. For approved private streets, a minimum 50' ingress/egress easement meeting the requirements of City Ord. Sec. 654.111(j) centered over the road must be submitted to the city for review and then recorded. Finally the project must go through the Acceptance process.

Existing Private Streets to Become Approved Private: The street must be evaluated by a DSRG Field Supervisor. If any improvements need to be made, plans developed by a registered professional must go through the Site Development (10-Set) Plan Review process. When the improvements are complete, the project must go through the Acceptance process.

Existing Private Streets to Become Public: The street must be evaluated by a DSRG Field Supervisor. If any improvements need to be made, plans developed by a registered professional must go through the Site Development (10-Set) Plan Review process. Right of way for the street must be turned over to the city either by platting or by deed of dedication. When the improvements are complete, the project must go through the Acceptance process.