FAQs

What would you like to know about?

If you do not find what you want to know, call 630-CITY or send an e-mail to Marcy Cook, Manager of Special Projects.

Wetlands

Where do I find out about wetlands?

Wetlands are under the jurisdiction of the St. Johns River Water Management District. For questions about wetlands, contact SJRWMD:

7775 Baymeadows Way, Suite 101
Jacksonville, Florida 32256

Phone: (904) 730-6270

Do not mistake wetland designations with FEMA flood zone designations. They are very different. Wetlands are areas that have been designated as wet by an environmental specialist based on soil conditions and indigenous plant life. Flood zones are areas established by FEMA to show the approximate extents of flooding during a hurricane.

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Flood Zones

Is my property in a flood zone?

To find out if your property is in a flood zone, visit the City of Jacksonville's GIS Web site. Read the agreement, click "I Accept," and inquire on the property. If you have any questions, contact the Development Services Division at (904) 255-8309.

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Stormwater

Water is draining off of my neighbor's property onto mine. What can I do about it?

Report your issue to the city's one-call center by calling 630-CITY (2489). A code enforcement officer will then investigate and determine what action needs to be taken.

Water is draining off of the roadway onto my property. What can I do about it?
Report your issue to the city's one-call center by calling 630-CITY (2489). A representative from the Right of Way and Grounds Maintenance Division will investigate.

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Water and Sewer

Where do I find out about water and sewer?

JEA maintains most of the existing municipal water and sewer throughout the City of Jacksonville. JEA's phone number is (904) 665-6000.

The Water and Sewer Expansion Authority (WSEA) assists residents currently on septic tanks and/or wells with bringing sewer and water lines to neighborhoods. For more information on the WSEA, visit the WSEA Web site or call Deborah Lamb at (904) 665-7024.

Septic tank and well information can be obtained from the Duval County Health Department. They are located at 900 University Blvd. The phone number is (904) 630-3274.

Who repairs broken water mains?

JEA - call (904) 665-6000.

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Trees

Will the city trim the trees on my private property?

No. Property owners are responsible for trimming their own trees and disposing of the debris.

How do I find out about protected trees?

You can contact the landscape representatives in the Building Inspection Division, or click here to search the City of Jacksonville's Municipal Code for ordinances. The online library is available for free.

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Civil Plan Review

How long will the civil plan review process take?

The civil plan review process is made up of two reviews, preliminary and final. The Development Services Division's goal is to complete the preliminary review within 28 working days and complete the final within 14 working days. Add this to the amount of time the civil engineer would need to revise the plans between the preliminary and final. If the comments from the preliminary review are not adequately addressed, the final review process will be repeated until they are. Ideally, it would be best if projects were approved at the preliminary review. Unfortunately, only about 1.4 percent of plans submitted within a two-year period between June 2000 and June 2002 have been approved on the preliminary review.

Who needs a civil plan review?
Do I Need a Civil Plan Review?

How do I find the status of a civil plan review?
Click here to research a project by development number. If you do not know the development number, contact the Development Services Division at (904) 255-8309 for help.

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Plat Review / Recording

Who needs to go through the plat review process?

Do I Need a Plat Review?

Review

How long will the plat review process take?

The plat review process is made up of two reviews, preliminary and final. The Development Services Division's goal is to complete the preliminary review within 15 working days and complete the final within 15 working days. Add this to the amount of time the surveyor would need to revise the plat between the preliminary and final. If the comments from the preliminary review are not adequately addressed, the final review process will be repeated until they are. Ideally, it would be best if plats were approved at the preliminary review. Unfortunately, only about 1.4 percent of plats submitted within a two year period between June 2000 and June 2002 have been approved on the preliminary review.

How do I find the status of a plat review?
Contact the Development Services Division at (904) 255-8309.

Recording

How long will the plat recording process take?

The Development Services Division's goal is to complete the plat recording process within 10 working days.

How do I find out the status of a plat recording?
Unfortunately, we do not currently have online access to Plat Recording status. Call the Development Services Division at (904) 255-8309.

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Roadway / right of way

What is a city right of way, and how far does it extend onto my property?

The city right of way is a strip of property encompassing the roadway plus the parkway (area between the road and private property). The right of way does not extend into your property. It begins where your property ends and goes all the way across the road to where your neighbor's property begins.

How far is my property from the street?

The best way to find this out is to find the property irons (metal posts driven into the ground) at your property corners. Then, measure from there to the roadway. If you can not find your property irons, a good estimate is that your property begins at the back of the sidewalk. This is not exact, but it provides a good estimate if precision is not an issue. If it is, you will need to hire a surveyor to find your property lines.

Is my street a private road or a city road?
You can find this out by calling the Development Services Division's customer service counter at (904) 255-8309 or the city Topography/Survey Section at (904) 255-8760.

Why do I have to pay for a permit to do work in the city ROW (driveway, sidewalk)?
Section 744.110 of the City Ordinance Code requires a written permit to disturb, excavate, block, obstruct, tamper with or place any construction or other material on or in any public road, right of way, or easement of the City of Jacksonville.

Do I need a permit to put a brick mailbox in the city right of way?
Yes, you do. Actually, since a brick mailbox is not city standard, you need two permits. First you will need to execute and record a Revocable Permit and Indemnification Agreement. This is an agreement between the owner and the City of Jacksonville stating that at any time the city can require the removal of the mailbox. Once this is done, a right of way permit will be needed.

How much road frontage is required for new construction?
The Development Services Division requires a minimum of 35' property frontage on a city maintained or approved private road in order to be able to approve construction plans. The city's zoning code has different requirements that will also need to be satisfied. Land Use & Zoning may be contacted at (904) 630-1900, or visit their office on the 2nd floor of the Ed Ball Building, 214 N. Hogan Street.

How wide does a road have to be?
The minimum roadway width is 20' for short roads (1,000' or less). The minimum width is 24' otherwise.

How do I know if my street is city or state maintained?
Click here for a list of roads maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation in Duval County. Or, contact the local FDOT office at (904) 360-5400 or the Right of Way and Grounds Maintenance Division at (904) 472-2900.

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Easements

How do I find out whether there are any easements on a parcel?

Have the Clerk of the Circuit Court office perform a record search on the parcel to see if any plat or easement documents have been recorded.

Can I build a fence in an easement?
The Development Services Division has no objections to the placement of fencing in City of Jacksonville easements with the understanding that, if the city ever needs to perform work within the easement, the fence will need to be removed. You will need a right of way permit and a Revocable Permit and Indemnification Agreement. There are easements over which the City of Jacksonville does not have jurisdiction. Utility easements are typically under the jurisdiction of JEA. Conservation easements are typically under the jurisdiction of the St. Johns River Water Management District. For construction within easements in which the city has little or no interest, you would need to get permission from the parties for which the easement was recorded.

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