Clay County, FL Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Clay County, Florida requires a building permit, with Planning & Zoning review before the Building Division issues it¹². Septic work also requires a permit; the Florida Department of Health in Clay County handles local permitting and inspections while Florida DEP enforces the statewide rules³⁴. Eligible owners may act as their own contractor, but Clay County attaches ownership, occupancy and resale conditions⁵.

At a glance

Building permit: Required for construction in unincorporated Clay County¹
Zoning: Yes; site/zoning review required before a building permit²
Septic permit: Required; local permits and inspections go through Florida DOH in Clay County³⁶
Owner-builder: Available to eligible deeded owners who meet Clay County's conditions⁵
Certificate of occupancy: Required before occupying a building covered by the county permit system⁷
Inspection fees: Published schedule lists $100 for the first new-construction inspection⁸
Mobile home age limit: 1976 model year or newer to install in Clay County⁹
RV living: Private-land residential use is unconfirmed; ask Planning & Zoning¹⁰

Who to call

Building permits

Clay County Building Division

Issues residential and commercial building permits, performs plan review and inspections under the Florida Building Code for unincorporated Clay County

(904) 269-6307

[email protected]

435 Walburg Street, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Building permits

Clay County Building Division - Permit FAQ

Published permit FAQ covering Notice of Commencement thresholds, energy calculations, mobile home installation rules and owner-builder permitting for Clay County

[email protected]

Zoning

Clay County Planning and Zoning Department

Zoning, site plan and development review for unincorporated Clay County; shares the Development Services building with the Building Division

904-278-4705

[email protected]

435 Walburg Street, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Septic permits

Florida Department of Health in Clay County - Environmental Health

State authority for onsite sewage (septic) system permits, site evaluations and environmental health services in Clay County

904-529-2800

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Clay County, Florida?

Yes. The Clay County Building Division issues residential and commercial building permits for unincorporated Clay County, and Planning & Zoning review comes first¹. The county applies the 8th edition of the Florida Building Code and the 2020 National Electrical Code⁹. A building permit valued over $5,000, or a mechanical permit valued over $15,000, needs a recorded Notice of Commencement before the first inspection can be scheduled¹¹⁹. Heated space over 100 square feet also requires energy calculations⁹. Clay County's published fee schedule lists $100 for a new-construction first inspection, no charge for the first reinspection, and $125 for the second and each additional reinspection; ask the Building Division for the full current project total because the cited schedule does not establish every fee⁸.

Who is the Clay County building department, and how do you reach them?

The Clay County Building Division handles contractor licensing, permitting and inspections¹¹. Reach the division at 435 Walburg Street, Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043, at (904) 269-6307 or [email protected]¹¹. General permit questions can also go to [email protected]⁹. The Planning & Zoning Department is at the same address and can be reached at 904-278-4705 or [email protected], Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.¹⁰. Use Planning & Zoning to confirm the parcel's allowed use and site plan first, then take the approved material to the Building Division for permit review²¹.

Does Clay County have zoning?

Yes. Clay County has a Planning & Zoning Department, and an approved site plan is required before the county will issue a building permit². Parcel-specific limits such as setbacks, minimum lot size, building height and lot coverage were not confirmed, so ask Planning & Zoning for the standards tied to the parcel's zoning district¹⁰. Clay County's complete rules for accessory dwelling units and minimum home size also could not be confirmed. Florida's accessory-dwelling statute authorizes local governments to adopt an ordinance; it does not itself make an accessory dwelling unit allowable on every lot¹². The statewide 70-square-foot figure sometimes associated with small homes applies to occupiable floor area in a habitable attic, not to a complete countywide minimum dwelling size¹³.

How do septic permits work in Clay County?

A permit is required before constructing, repairing, modifying, abandoning or operating an onsite sewage system covered by Florida's program³. Clay County remains outside the group transferred to direct Florida DEP permitting, so the Florida Department of Health in Clay County handles local septic permitting and inspections while DEP enforces the statewide laws and rules⁶⁴. Reach DOH-Clay at 904-529-2800¹⁴. A septic letter or approval is required with the county building permit where applicable¹⁵. Soil suitability is a practical cost issue: only about 2.1% of Clay County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so obtain the site evaluation before finalizing the house location or budget¹⁶.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Clay County?

We could not confirm whether Clay County allows long-term RV occupancy or temporary camping on a private unincorporated lot, so ask Planning & Zoning about the parcel and proposed duration before relying on an RV during construction¹⁰. Florida separately permits transient RV occupancy in regulated recreational vehicle parks and camps, but that statewide rule does not answer the private-land question¹⁷. Clay County's site-built tiny-home rules and complete minimum dwelling size also could not be confirmed; take the proposed floor plan and parcel information to Planning & Zoning and the Building Division before ordering a unit¹⁰¹¹. Mobile and manufactured homes have clearer installation rules: Clay County accepts models from 1976 or later and requires a licensed contractor to set one⁹. A compliant mobile-home installation receives a certificate of occupancy after onsite inspection, while local zoning, setbacks and site-development rules still apply¹⁸.

Building a home in Clay County: the steps, in order

Confirm the zoning district and obtain site-plan review from Planning & Zoning before submitting the building permit²¹⁰.
If the parcel needs septic, apply through the Florida Department of Health in Clay County and settle the system location before finalizing the house site⁶¹⁶.
Choose a licensed contractor or confirm owner-builder eligibility. An owner-builder must be named on the deed, appear and sign the disclosure, use no unlicensed labor, and generally may not rent or sell for one year after completion⁵.
Submit the plans and applicable approvals to the Building Division¹¹¹.
Record the Notice of Commencement before the first inspection when the stated project-value threshold applies¹¹⁹.
Schedule inspections and budget for reinspection charges under the published fee schedule⁸.
Obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving in; occupying a building covered by the county permit system before issuance is unlawful⁷.

What to check before you buy land in Clay County

Confirm the zoning district and request a preliminary site review before buying, because Clay County requires an approved site plan before a building permit²¹⁰. Ask specifically about setbacks, minimum lot size, floodplain constraints, driveway access, private wells, RV use and any proposed accessory dwelling; Clay County rules for those parcel-level questions could not all be confirmed. Test the septic path early: only about 2.1% of Clay County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field¹⁶. For a mobile or manufactured home, Clay County accepts models from 1976 or later and requires a licensed contractor for installation⁹. The effective property tax rate is about 0.7% of assessed value, and the median annual property-tax bill is $2,080¹⁹²⁰.

Watch-outs

Clay County's site-built tiny-home rules and complete minimum dwelling size could not be confirmed; take the parcel and proposed plans to the Building Division and Planning & Zoning before ordering or designing one¹¹¹⁰.
Long-term RV occupancy and temporary camping on private land in unincorporated Clay County could not be confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning before treating an RV as temporary housing¹⁰.
Clay County will not let you install a mobile home older than a 1976 model year, and you cannot set your own mobile home without a licensed contractor⁹.

Sources

Written September 29, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

How Clay County scores

Seclusion30100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency60100% ev.

Admin Boringness44100% ev.

Durability75100% ev.

Property Autonomy91100% ev.

Carry Cost74100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$339kTypical home

0.7%Property tax

$6,932Land / acre

52.1"Annual rain

8.8% of yrsSevere drought

5.2 / yr (+4.9)Mid-century 100°F days

14.2 daysMid-century dry spell

2.44" (+6.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.13×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$2,308Home insurance / yr

-2.6% / yrInsurance growth

0.28%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

70,044People within 30 min

3,913,219People within 2 hr

158,287Radius comparison (15 mi)

384.4People / sq mi

0%Federal land

100%Land at 15% slope or less

2.1%Septic soil without severe limits

7,500 acWorkable land screen

74.2%Wooded land

31.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac

69.7°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Clay County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Clay County rules

Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
Owner-builder permits for eligible property owners and projects in Clay County.
- The owner must own the property and be named on the deed.
- The property cannot be owned by a trust, LLC, business, or through power of attorney.
- For commercial projects, total job cost must be less than $75,000 and the property cannot be corporately owned.
- The owner must appear in person and sign an Owner-Builder Disclosure Statement.
- The owner must live on the property unless building a new single-family dwelling on vacant land.
- The owner may not rent or sell the property for one year after completion.
- The owner may not hire an unlicensed individual to perform the work.
- The owner-builder must comply with applicable laws, ordinances, building codes, and zoning regulations.
- A signed disclosure and acceptable owner identification or notarized signature are required before permit issuance.
commercial project cost: < 75000 USD (Commercial owner-builder projects only.) · post-completion sale or rental restriction: 1 year (The guide states the owner will not rent or sell for one year after work is completed.)
“Per Florida Statute 489.103(7), you may act as an Owner-Builder if you meet the following requirements: You must own the property. Your name must be on the deed.”
Owner as Builder Disclosure Statement ↗Re-checked Sep 25, 2026
Certificate of occupancyRequired
Occupancy of buildings covered by the Clay County building permit system.
- The source states that occupancy before issuance is unlawful.
- The source states a penalty of $500 per day and/or 60 days imprisonment, plus loss of future early power privileges.
“It is unlawful to occupy this building before a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued under $500/day and/or 60 days imprisonment penalty, and loss of future early power privileges.”
Clay County Building Permit Search ↗Re-checked Sep 25, 2026
Who permits septicMixed
Onsite sewage permitting and inspections in Clay County are handled by the local county health department, while DEP enforces Florida OSTDS laws and rules.
- Clay County is outside the 16 counties listed as transferred to DEP for septic permitting.
- The source identifies Florida Department of Health in Clay County as the local health department.
- DEP enforcement began July 1, 2021.
“If you live outside these 16 counties, your local county health department will still handle septic system permitting and inspections. Since July 1, 2021, the DEP has been in charge of enforcing Florida laws and rules about Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS).”
Onsite Sewage - Florida Department of Health in Clay County ↗Re-checked Sep 25, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Onsite sewage systems in Clay County subject to the OSTDS permitting program.
- The official page establishes septic system permitting by the local county health department, but does not state every exemption or project-specific trigger.
- Operating permits are required for aerobic treatment units, performance-based treatment systems, commercial septic systems, and industrial or manufacturing zoned or equivalent septic systems.
“A person may not construct, repair, modify, abandon, or operate an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system without first obtaining a permit approved by the department.”
Onsite Sewage - Florida Department of Health in Clay County ↗Re-checked Sep 25, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Septic system permitting and inspections in Clay County, Florida, including areas outside the 16 counties transferred to Florida DEP management.
  “If you live outside these 16 counties, your local county health department will still handle septic system permitting and inspections.”
  Onsite Sewage - Florida Department of Health in Clay County ↗Re-checked Sep 25, 2026
Permit feesPublished
Published Clay County fee schedule entries for inspection services.
- The cited schedule is FY 2024/25 and is specifically a schedule of fees and services; the excerpt establishes inspection fees, not every building, planning, septic, or utility fee.
new construction first inspection: 100 USD · new construction first re-inspection: 0 USD (No charge.) · new construction second and additional re-inspections: 125 USD
“New Construction Inspections: First Inspection $100.00 First Re-Inspection No charge Second and All Additional Re-Inspections $125.00”
Clay County BCC FY 24/25 Schedule of Fees & Services ↗Re-checked Sep 25, 2026
Building permitRequired
The Clay County Building Division issues all residential and commercial building permits for unincorporated Clay County under the Florida Building Code; a pre-permit Planning & Zoning review is required first.
Clay County Building Division ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked
County-wide zoningPresent
The county has a Planning & Zoning Department; a site/zoning review and approved site plan are required before building permits, and land use is governed by county zoning.
Clay County Planning and Zoning ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Florida rules that apply here

Building code adoptedAdopted
The Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), as amended and updated by the Florida Building Commission, as the building code for the State of Florida.
- The current rule incorporates updates approved through December 9, 2025.
- Local authorities having jurisdiction may adopt local amendments as permitted by Florida law; those amendments do not replace the statewide base code.
- The Florida Building Commission website identifies December 31, 2023 as the effective date of the 8th Edition (2023).
code edition: 8th Edition (2023) (as updated by the Florida Building Commission) · latest listed rule effective date: 2026-03-18 · base code effective date: 2023-12-31
“The Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), as updated by the Florida Building Commission on June 20, 2023, April 16, 2024, August 13, 2024, December 10, 2024, December 20, 2024, April 15, 2025, and December 9, 2025, and incorporated herein by reference is hereby adopted as the building code for the State of Florida.”
61G20-1.001 Florida Building Code Adopted ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Adopted — The Florida Building Code for public and private buildings, including residential construction, throughout Florida.
  “The initial adoption of, and any subsequent update or amendment to, the Florida Building Code by the commission is deemed adopted for use statewide without adoptions by local government.”
  Florida Statutes § 553.73 — Florida Building Code ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- Adopted — The Florida Building Code for public and private buildings and structures, including residential construction, throughout Florida.
  “is deemed adopted for use statewide without adoptions by local government.”
  Florida Statutes § 553.73, Florida Building Code ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
InspectionsRequired
New construction, or repair or restoration that modifies the structural system or structural loading, of a Florida threshold building.
- The enforcing agency must require a special inspector to perform structural inspections pursuant to a structural inspection plan prepared by the engineer or architect of record.
- The structural inspection plan must be submitted to and approved by the enforcing agency before issuance of the building permit.
- The fee owner selects and pays the special inspector, who must be an engineer or architect qualified under the cited statutes.
- This threshold-building requirement is in addition to minimum inspections required by the Florida Building Code.
“shall require a special inspector to perform structural inspections on a threshold building”
Florida Statutes § 553.79 — Threshold-building structural inspections ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified
Habitable attics in residential dwellings governed by the Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023).
- The cited provision concerns habitable attics and requires compliance with the applicable ceiling-height requirement in Section R305.
- The occupiable space must be enclosed by the roof assembly above, knee walls if applicable, on the sides, and the floor-ceiling assembly below.
minimum occupiable floor area: >= 70 square feet
“The occupiable floor area is not less than 70 square feet, in accordance with Section R304.”
Florida Building Commission Building Codes ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Camping on your landLimited
Temporary camping conducted as a recreational camp regulated under Florida Statutes Chapter 513.
- The operator must obtain a Florida Department of Health permit before establishing or maintaining the recreational camp.
- The camp must satisfy statutory and Department of Health requirements and inspection standards.
- This claim does not resolve camping on private land outside a regulated recreational camp.
permit renewal: annually · permit fee per space: 3.50-6.50 USD (Until rules setting fees are adopted, the fee is $3.50 per space.) · total permit fee: 50-600 USD (A recreational camp fee is based on an equivalency rate for which two camp occupants equal one space.)
“recreational camp in this state without first obtaining a permit from the department.”
Florida Statutes Chapter 513: Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Parks ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)
An off-site-constructed residential dwelling, including a manufactured home constructed in whole or in part off site and treated as real property, in a zoning district where single-family detached dwellings are allowed.
- The dwelling must be permitted as of right in a district where single-family detached dwellings are allowed.
- Local governments may apply generally applicable architectural, aesthetic, design, setback, height, or bulk standards only when those standards are applied uniformly to all single-family dwellings in the same district.
- Compatibility or design standards must be reasonable, may not exclude off-site-constructed residential dwellings, and must apply equally to single-family site-built dwellings.
- The statute does not authorize occupancy without compliance with applicable building, permitting, installation, health, utility, or other generally applicable requirements.
“An off-site constructed residential dwelling must be permitted as of right in any zoning district where single-family detached dwellings are allowed.”
Florida Statutes § 553.385, Zoning of off-site constructed residential dwellings; parity ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Occupancy of a manufactured/mobile home installed in Florida.
  “each mobile home shall be issued a certificate of occupancy if the mobile home complies with department rules regarding the installation of mobile homes.”
  Florida Statutes § 320.8285: Onsite inspection ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Accessory dwellingsLimited
Accessory dwelling units in Florida areas zoned for single-family residential use, where the applicable county or municipality adopts an ordinance allowing them.
- Florida law authorizes but does not itself require every county or municipality to allow accessory dwelling units under this section.
- The unit must be an ancillary or secondary living unit with a separate kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area, within the same structure or on the same lot as the primary dwelling.
- A building permit application must include an affidavit that the unit will be rented at an affordable rate to an extremely-low-income, very-low-income, low-income, or moderate-income person or persons.
affordable rent and utilities: <= not more than 30 percent of applicable median adjusted gross annual income
“A local government may adopt an ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units in any area zoned for single-family residential use.”
Florida Statutes § 163.31771: Accessory dwelling units ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
OSTDS construction and final-installation approval statewide.
- Department or authorized private-provider inspection is used for construction approval.
- Private-provider inspection is optional for owners or contractors with owner authorization; the department retains final review and approval.
- Private-provider inspection results must be submitted within 7 calendar days, with required photographs and a $35 inspection-review fee for each report resulting in construction approval.
private-provider result submission deadline: 7 calendar days · inspection review fee: 35 USD per inspection report resulting in construction approval
“As of July 1, 2022, owners or contractors with owner authorization have the option to hire a private provider to perform inspections of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS).”
Onsite Sewage Program ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Well permitLimited
Construction, repair, or abandonment of drinking-water wells in Florida.
- The five water management districts typically oversee drinking-water well construction, repair, and abandonment.
- Some water management districts delegate well permitting to county health departments or other local agencies.
- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection establishes statewide water-well construction requirements through section 373.309 and Chapter 62-532, F.A.C.
- County health departments delegated to perform well permitting include Baker, Brevard, Broward, Clay, Miami-Dade, Flagler, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lake, Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Putnam, St. Lucie, Sarasota, and Volusia.
- Well-contractor licensure is distinct from any construction permit requirement; licensed water-well contractors are required for persons engaging in the business of constructing, repairing, or abandoning wells.
“The construction, repair, or abandonment of drinking water wells is typically overseen by the five water management districts. Some of these districts have delegated authority to county health departments or other local agencies.”
Well Construction in Florida ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Required — Construction, repair, or abandonment of water wells in Florida.
  “Additionally, a permit must be obtained from the appropriate WMD or its delegated permitting authority prior to the construction, repair or abandonment of any water well.”
  Water Well Contractor Licensing and Permitting ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- Required — Construction, repair, or abandonment of any water well statewide.
  “Additionally, a permit must be obtained from the appropriate WMD or its delegated permitting authority prior to the construction, repair or abandonment of any water well.”
  Water Well Contractor Licensing and Permitting ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Mandatory utility hookupConditional
Existing onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems when an available publicly owned or investor-owned sewerage system exists.
- A properly functioning OSTDS, excluding an approved onsite graywater system, must connect within 365 days after written notification that the sewerage system is available.
- The sewerage system must provide at least one year’s advance notice of anticipated availability and notify the owner that connection will be required within one year of actual availability.
- An OSTDS needing repair or modification to function sanitarily or comply with applicable law must connect within 90 days after written notification from the department.
- In hardship cases, the department may approve one extension of not more than 90 days.
- A sewerage system may waive mandatory connection with department approval when connection is not required in the public interest due to public-health considerations.
- A local government or water-and-sewer district may grant a variance for a properly functioning, department-permitted performance-based OSTDS, but is not required to do so in the listed protected areas.
connection deadline for properly functioning system: 365 days (After written notification of availability.) · connection deadline for system needing repair or modification: 90 days (One hardship extension of not more than 90 days may be approved.) · advance notice of anticipated availability: >= 1 year · maximum installment period for prepaid connection charges: <= 2 years · maximum hardship installment period for investor-owned sewer connection fee: <= 5 years (Requires local governing body determination of financial hardship.)
“The owner of a properly functioning onsite sewage treatment and disposal system, excluding an approved onsite graywater system, must connect the system or the building’s plumbing to an available publicly owned or investor-owned sewerage system within 365 days after written notification by the owner of the publicly owned or investor-owned sewerage system that the system is available for connection.”
2026 Florida Statutes, section 381.00655 ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Conditional — Existing properly functioning OSTDS when a publicly owned or investor-owned sewerage system becomes available, and systems needing repair or modification.
  “The owner of a properly functioning onsite sewage treatment and disposal system, excluding an approved onsite graywater system, must connect the system or the building’s plumbing to an available publicly owned or investor-owned sewerage system within 365 days after written notification by the owner of the publicly owned or investor-owned sewerage system that the system is available for connection.”
  Florida Statutes § 381.00655 ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- Conditional — Existing properly functioning OSTDS when an available publicly owned or investor-owned sewerage system becomes available.
  “The owner of a properly functioning onsite sewage treatment and disposal system, excluding an approved onsite graywater system, must connect the system or the building’s plumbing to an available publicly owned or investor-owned sewerage system within 365 days after written notification by the owner of the publicly owned or investor-owned sewerage system that the system is available for connection.”
  Florida Statutes § 381.00655 ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Agricultural exemptionConditional
Nonresidential farm buildings, farm fences, and farm signs located on lands used for bona fide agricultural purposes in Florida.
- The land must be used for bona fide agricultural purposes.
- The exemption does not apply to lands used for urban agriculture.
- The exemption is from the Florida Building Code and county or municipal code or fee.
- Floodplain-management code provisions remain applicable, including local, state, or federal provisions.
- A farm sign on a public road remains subject to the standards listed in Florida Statutes § 479.11(4), (5)(a), and (6)-(8).
- A nonresidential farm building is not intended to be used as a residential dwelling.
- The statutory definition includes temporary or permanent buildings or support structures used primarily for agricultural purposes and located on land integral to a farm operation or classified as agricultural land under § 193.461; examples include a barn, greenhouse, shade house, farm office, storage building, or poultry house.
“any nonresidential farm building [...] is exempt from the Florida Building Code and any county or municipal code or fee”
Florida Statutes § 604.50, Nonresidential farm buildings; farm fences; farm signs ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Available (with conditions) — Nonresidential farm buildings, farm fences, and farm signs located on lands used for bona fide agricultural purposes statewide in Florida.
  “any nonresidential farm building, farm fence, or farm sign [...] is exempt from the Florida Building Code and any county or municipal code or fee”
  Florida Statutes § 604.50, Nonresidential farm buildings; farm fences; farm signs ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- Available (with conditions) — Nonresidential farm buildings, farm fences, and farm signs located on lands used for bona fide agricultural purposes in Florida.
  “any nonresidential farm building, farm fence, or farm sign [...] is exempt [...] except for code provisions implementing local, state, or federal floodplain management regulations.”
  F.S. 604.50 — Nonresidential farm buildings; farm fences; farm signs ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision and platting of land statewide in Florida, subject to the state minimum requirements and additional local regulation.
- Florida Statutes Chapter 177 establishes minimum platting requirements.
- Local ordinances, laws, or regulations may impose additional provisions or regulations.
- A plat offered for recording must be prepared, signed, and sealed by a professional surveyor and mapper.
- Before approval, the plat must be reviewed for conformity by a professional surveyor and mapper employed by or under contract to the local governing body, with costs borne by the entity offering the plat for recordation.
- A subdivision plat filed for record must contain the required dedication and obtain governing-body approval.
“This part establishes minimum requirements and does not exclude additional provisions or regulations by local ordinance, laws, or regulations.”
Florida Statutes Chapter 177, Land Boundaries ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision of land in Florida through county and municipal land-development regulations and the statutory platting process.
  “Local land development regulations shall contain [...] and shall at a minimum:(a) Regulate the subdivision of land.”
  F.S. 163.3202 — Land development regulations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Short-term rentalsLimited
Vacation rentals in Florida.
- A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate their duration or frequency.
- The preemption does not apply to local laws, ordinances, or regulations adopted on or before June 1, 2011.
- The preemption does not apply to a local law, ordinance, or regulation exclusively relating to property valuation as a criterion for vacation rental when approval by the state land planning agency is required under an area of critical state concern designation.
- Local governments retain authority to inspect public lodging establishments for Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Prevention Code compliance.
grandfather date: June 1, 2011 (local law, ordinance, or regulation adopted on or before this date)
“A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of rental of vacation rentals. This paragraph does not apply to any local law, ordinance, or regulation adopted on or before June 1, 2011.”
F.S. 509.032 — Duties of the Division of Hotels and Restaurants ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Building permit applications submitted to Florida local governments.
- The application must be complete and sufficient.
- The applicant may waive the statutory timeframes in writing.
- For an existing single-family dwelling with work valued below $15,000, the listed permit types have a 5-business-day timeframe.
- Applications for structures below 7,500 square feet generally have a 30-business-day timeframe; structures 7,500 square feet or more generally have a 60-business-day timeframe.
- The local government must provide written notice within 5 business days if information is needed to deem the application complete; failure to provide timely notice automatically deems the application properly completed and accepted.
- A local ordinance may provide more stringent timeframes.
- If deadlines are missed, fee reductions apply, subject to written extensions, applicant-caused delay, force majeure, extraordinary circumstances, or timely written notice of code deficiencies.
- If deficiencies are noticed, the applicant has 10 business days to submit revisions; the agency then has 10 business days to approve or deny after receiving revisions.
initial completeness notice: 5 business days (unless the local government timely notifies the applicant that the application is incomplete) · existing single-family dwelling permit review: 5 business days (work value less than $15,000 and listed permit types) · permit review for structure less than 7,500 square feet: 30 business days (listed permit types using a local government plans reviewer) · permit review for structure 7,500 square feet or more: 60 business days (listed permit types using a local government plans reviewer)
“A local government must approve, approve with conditions, or deny a building permit application after receipt of a completed and sufficient application within the following timeframes, unless the applicant waives such timeframes in writing:”
F.S. 553.792 — Building permit application to local government ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Campground & park staysAllowed (with conditions)
Occupancy of recreational vehicles as transient accommodations in Florida recreational vehicle parks and recreational camps regulated by Chapter 513.
- The park or camp must obtain a permit from the Florida Department of Health before establishment or operation.
- The permit must be renewed annually.
- This claim does not establish statewide private-land zoning permission outside regulated parks or camps.
park/camp permit renewal: annually
“a recreational vehicle park that rents to transient guests”
Florida Statutes Chapter 513: Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Parks ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
county zoning authorityGeneral
Florida counties' authority to establish, coordinate, and enforce zoning, including zoning of unincorporated county areas, subject to general and special law.
- The county power is subject to general or special law.
- The zoning and business regulations may not include the prohibitions in Florida Statutes § 377.8161.
- This statewide authority grant does not identify a population threshold, named-county limitation, lake, military-base, reservoir, or similar geographic limitation.
“Establish, coordinate, and enforce zoning and such business regulations as are necessary for the protection of the public”
Florida Statutes § 125.01, Powers and duties ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- General — Florida counties adopting and enforcing zoning regulations for county territory, including unincorporated areas.
  “Establish, coordinate, and enforce zoning and such business regulations as are necessary for the protection of the public, to the extent such zoning and business regulations do not include the prohibitions in s. 377.8161.”
  Florida Statutes § 125.01 — Powers and duties ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
county building authorityGeneral
Florida counties requiring building permits and enforcing the Florida Building Code for residential and other construction within county territory outside incorporated municipalities.
- The board of county commissioners may enforce the Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Prevention Code and may adopt local technical amendments at its discretion.
- The authority described in § 125.56(1) applies within county territory outside the corporate limits of any municipality.
- After adoption of the applicable code or amendment, construction, erection, alteration, repair, securing, or demolition requires a permit from the appropriate county authority, subject to reasonable fees.
- An adopted amendment remains in force throughout the county's unincorporated area until otherwise notified by the Florida Building Commission or State Fire Marshal.
- A county may provide a schedule of reasonable inspection fees and employ building-code inspectors and other necessary personnel.
“The board of county commissioners of each of the several counties of the state may enforce the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code as provided in ss. 553.80, 633.206, and 633.208 and, at its discretion, adopt local technical amendments to the Florida Building Code as provided in s. 553.73(4) and local technical amendments to the Florida Fire Prevention Code as provided in s. 633.202 to provide for the safe construction, erection, alteration, repair, securing, and demolition of any building within its territory outside the corporate limits of any municipality.”
Florida Statutes § 125.56 — Enforcement and amendment of the Florida Building Code ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

Local zoning — Local zoning within Clay County.
Zoning districts — Published zoning districts in Clay County.
Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Clay County.
Setbacks — Building setbacks in Clay County.
Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Clay County.

6 more unanswered

Building height
Living in an RV
Tiny homes
Off-grid sanitation
Driveway access
Building in a floodplain

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Clay County, Florida

Is Clay County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Clay County scores 62/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop and mixed durability signals. Watch-outs: about 70,044 people within a 30-minute drive.

Do you need a building permit in Clay County, Florida?

Clay County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Florida Department of Health in Clay County (Environmental Health). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Clay County, Florida?

Land in Clay County runs about $6,932 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Clay County?

Clay County gets about 52.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 8.8% of years.

How remote is Clay County?

A representative private-land location has about 70,044 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,913,219 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Clay County, Florida

At a glance

Who to call

Do you need a building permit in Clay County, Florida?

Who is the Clay County building department, and how do you reach them?

Does Clay County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Clay County?

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Clay County?

Building a home in Clay County: the steps, in order

What to check before you buy land in Clay County

Watch-outs

Sources

Clay County in Florida

How Clay County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Clay County

Clay County rules

Florida rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Clay County, Florida

Is Clay County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Do you need a building permit in Clay County, Florida?

How much does land cost in Clay County, Florida?

What is the water situation in Clay County?

How remote is Clay County?

How Clay compares in Florida