Each county in the ARROW region handles land-use planning and development permitting differently.
On this page you will find contact information and/or web links for each county, along with information about the process of comprehensive land-use planning.
County offices and their phone numbers, as well as county procedures and regulations are subject to change.
Please consider this information as a starting point, not as the final word.
Is this information available on the Internet?
The Franklin County website has printable applications and forms on the Internet, as well as land use regulations and instructions sheets for obtaining permits. The website address is
www.franklincountyflorida.com. This site also includes information on zoning, contractor licensing and minutes/agendas for Planning and Zoning and Board of Adjustment meetings.
Is planning information available on the Internet?
The Comprehensive Plan is not on the Internet. The county is in the process of getting the land development regulations on the Internet.
When and where do the Board of County Commissioners and Planning Commission meet?
The Franklin County Board of County Commission meets at 9 a.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Franklin County Courthouse at 33 Market Street Apalachicola, Florida. Contact the County Commission office at 850/653-8861, Ext. 100.
The Planning and Zoning Commission meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Franklin County Courthouse Annex. Contact the Planning and Building Department at (850) 653-9783.
How long does the process usually take before I can start building my home?
Once all the paperwork has been forwarded to the Building Inspections Division, it usually takes between 5 and 20 days to issue the permit.
What other permits might I need?
A septic system permit and the Planning and Zoning permit are required before the Building Inspections Division can proceed.
How will I know what other development might be taking place in my area?
The Gadsden County Planning and Zoning Department can provide this information. The department reviews all current planning projects in the county. It also helps to implement and update the Land Development Codes and the Comprehensive plan. The county Land Use Map is available online at www.gadsdengov.net.
How do the requirements differ for commercial developments?
Additional requirements for commercial developments include site plans for parking, flood letters, septic tank permits, and several other documents.
Is this information available on the Internet?
The county website (www.gadsdengov.net) has printable building permit applications for one- and two-family dwellings, as well as for commercial buildings, along with lists of the paperwork you must submit with the application. For the fee schedule, see www.gadsdengov.net/Building_inspections.htm.
Is planning information available on the Internet?
The Gadsden County website contains the Land Development Code Documents and Comprehensive Plan Elements (www.gadsdengov.net) in the Planning and Zoning section under “Forms and Documents.” The Planning and Zoning Department also provides support necessary to complete the required Evaluation and Appraisal Report.
When and where do the Board of County Commissioners and Planning Commission meet?
County Commission meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of the month at 6 pm at the courthouse (4 E. Jefferson Street in Quincy). Call (850) 875-8650.
Planning Commission meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the 1st Wednesday of the month in the County Commission Room across from the County Courthouse in Quincy. Notices for monthly and special meetings are posted in the local paper. Call (850) 875-8663.
How long does the process usually take before I can start building my home?
Allow about one or two weeks for plan reviews.
What other permits might I need?
Proof of license is required if the applicant is a contractor. A D.O.T. Access permit is required if the house fronts on a state highway. The grade elevation is required if the house is to be located in a flood zone. All plans within 5000 feet of the coast must be sealed by a Florida registered architect or engineer. All plans over 2,000 square feet must be sealed by a Florida registered architect or engineer. Other permits required include temporary power pole permit, electrical permit, plumbing permit, mechanical permit, and metal roof permit (if applicable).
How will I know what other development might be taking place in my area?
Contact the Planning Department.
How do the requirements differ for commercial developments?
In addition to the requirements for a residential permit (see #3 above), the commercial permit application requires two copies of the site plan (drawn, signed, and sealed by a registered architect or engineer). The site plan must indicate buffer zones with location of vegetation and type of vegetation, the location of appropriate off-street parking areas, handicapped parking spaces, loading and unloading parking spaces if applicable, traffic circulation details with physical separation from roadways, space for non-motorized vehicles, and location of stormwater facilities (if applicable). Also required are the Florida DEP Stormwater Discharge Permit, DOT Connection Permit, certification of public water supply, design drawings of signs with size and location, and Fire Marshall approval.
Is this information available on the Internet?
No
Is planning information available on the Internet?
No
When and where do the Board of County Commissioners and Planning Commission meet?
The Board of County Commissioners meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the County Commission Meeting Room of the Robert M. Moore Administration Building, Gulf County Courthouse Complex, Port St. Joe.
Special meetings may be scheduled at other times. Check the county website or the front of the Courthouse 24 hours in advance of the meeting date and time. Call the County Commission office at (850) 229-6106.
Any person wishing to speak at a board meeting or make a presentation must call the Clerk's Office by 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday prior to a meeting. Call (850) 229-6112 to be placed on the agenda.
The Planning Development Review Board meets the third Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the County Commission Meeting Room of the Robert M. Moore Administration Building, Gulf County Courthouse Complex, Port St. Joe.
All permitting offices are located at 4487 Lafayette Street in Marianna
What information will I need to submit to get development and building permits? How much does it cost to apply for permits?
All residential building projects require two complete sets of building plans and construction details (electrical, plumbing, square footage, etc.);
a Residential Development Order application with Site Plan Sketch;
Driveway Permit Application, as necessary;
the Residential Development Order fee of $5.00;
a Septic System Permit application;
a Florida Energy Efficiency Form (which must be signed by preparer, owner, or contractor);
if necessary to qualify for the National Flood Insurance Program, an elevation certificate from a registered land surveyor indicating the lowest floor elevation required;
a Building or Mobile Home Set-Up Permit application; and
a copy of the recorded deed to property and legal description.
If the applicant is not the property owner, then submit a copy of the property owner's recorded deed (including the legal description) and
a copy of the lease from the owner or a letter authorizing residential use of the property.
How long does the process usually take before I can start building my home?
The Community Development Department has five working days to complete review of Residential Development Orders. Reviews are often completed within 48 hours of submission. The application is then forwarded to the Building Department.
The Building Department requires a minimum of three working days to review plans. The permit will be issued after the complete application is filed. Plan review will not begin until a development order has been issued, if one is required.
What other permits might I need?
Check with the Community Development Department at (850) 482-9637.
How will I know what other development might be taking place in my area?
Jackson County does not use traditional zoning. The County relies on the policies stated in the Future Land Use Element (FLUE) of its Comprehensive Plan and the land use categories defined in it. The FLUE includes a Future Land Use Map, which shows the location and distribution of land use categories. These land use categories and associated policies determine what development is appropriate for a specific parcel of land.
How do the requirements differ for commercial developments?
Additional requirements for commercial and multi-family projects are:
1. Site plans, which must be prepared by an engineer. They should indicate stormwater retention and treatment, parking area layout, traffic flow, etc.
2. Fire Marshall Review. The site plan will be reviewed for compliance with the Life Safety Code, which costs 3 cents per square foot. This fee will is assessed only on commercial/industrial buildings.
3. Building Plans - Three sets of plans are required.
Please contact the Community Development Department for other requirements.
Is this information available on the Internet?
The Jackson County Community Development Department’s website has information on the permit application process, fee schedules, housing grant information and links to other websites, as well as printable applications (www.jacksoncountyfl.com/frameset1.html.)
When and where do the Board of County Commissioners and Planning Commission meet?
The Board of County Commissioners meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m. and on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of County Commissioners Board Room at 2864 Madison Street, Marianna.
The Jackson County Planning Board meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 7:00 pm. in the Board of County Commissioners Board Room at 2864 Madison Street, Marianna.
