Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Duval County, Florida
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Complete guide to structured cabling permit requirements in Duval County/Jacksonville, FL. Learn about JAXEPICS submission, ES licensing, and inspection process.
Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Duval County, Florida
Quick Answer: Structured cabling installations in Duval County (Jacksonville) typically require low voltage electrical permits under the Florida Building Code. All permits must be submitted online through JAXEPICS at jaxepics.coj.net. Contractors must hold a valid Florida Certified Limited Energy Systems Specialty license or equivalent issued by DBPR.
When Are Permits Required for Structured Cabling?
Per Florida Building Commission determination, Section 553.73 Florida Statutes and 101.4.1 Florida Building Code require permits for the installation of low-voltage electrical systems including data transmission, telephones, and related systems.
Permits Generally Required For
- Commercial structured cabling installations
- Data center and server room buildouts
- New construction network infrastructure
- Fiber optic backbone installations
- Large-scale office buildouts
- Multi-floor riser installations
Potential Exemptions
Limited exemptions may apply under Florida Statutes 489.503 for certain telecommunications work by certificated companies. Property owner exemptions may apply for:
- Single-family or duplex residence work for owner's own use
- Property not intended for sale
- Owner supervises and performs the work
Contact the Jacksonville Building Inspection Division at (904) 255-8500 to verify exemption eligibility for your specific project.
Contractor Licensing Requirements
Florida requires state-level licensing for structured cabling work. As of June 2025, local registered licenses are being phased out—all contractors must obtain state Certified licenses through DBPR.
License Options for Structured Cabling
| License Type | Scope | Voltage Limit |
|---|---|---|
| ES - Limited Energy Specialty | Data, cabling, audio-visual, telecom | 98 volts |
| EC - Electrical Contractor | All electrical including low voltage | Unlimited |
| EG/EF - Alarm Contractor | May include related cabling | Varies |
Limited Energy Systems Specialty License (ES)
The Certified Limited Energy Systems Specialty license authorizes:
- Data transmission systems and structured cabling
- Fiber optic installations (transmission of light over stranded glass)
- Phone systems and data networks
- Audio-visual and home entertainment systems
- Proprietary video and CCTV
ES License Requirements
- Experience: Four years of experience or combination of college and experience
- Examinations: Pass both Trade Exam and Business & Finance Exam
- Application Fee: $300 for active status
- Military: Military experience may qualify toward requirements
For complete Florida licensing information, see our Florida Low Voltage License Guide.
How to Apply for a Structured Cabling Permit
Step 1: Verify Permit Requirements
Contact Building Inspection Division to confirm whether your specific project requires a permit.
Step 2: Prepare Documentation
For commercial projects, prepare:
- Floor plans showing cable routing
- Riser diagrams for multi-floor installations
- Equipment room layouts
- Cable specifications and quantities
- Contractor license documentation
All documents must be in PDF format. Digitally sealed architectural, structural, and MEP plans may be required for larger projects.
Step 3: Submit Online Through JAXEPICS
Online (electronic) permit submission is required for all permit types through JAXEPICS. Paper applications are not accepted.
Create an account and submit your permit application package through the portal.
Step 4: Plan Review
The Jacksonville Building Inspection Division reviews permits for compliance with the Florida Building Code. Plan review timeframes:
- First review: 25-30 business days average
- Resubmissions: 10 business days or less
Note: Review time does not start until Zoning, Concurrency, and Development Services have approved the plans and your plan review fee has been paid.
Step 5: Pay Fees
Low voltage permits in Florida are capped at $40 per project under state law. Pay fees through the JAXEPICS system.
Step 6: Schedule Inspections
Book inspections through the JAXEPICS dashboard or by calling (904) 255-8500 between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Typical inspection checkpoints may include rough-in and final inspections.
Contact Information
| Department | Contact |
|---|---|
| Building Inspection Division | (904) 255-8500 |
| JAXEPICS Portal | jaxepics.coj.net |
| Permit Assistance - Sandy Rosenblatt | (904) 255-8515 / SRosen@coj.net |
| Permit Assistance - Saquira Tucker | SaquiraT@coj.net |
| DBPR Licensing | (850) 487-1395 |
Permit Fees and Timeline
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Low Voltage Permit Fee | Up to $40 (state cap) |
| Plan Review Fee | Varies by project |
| Re-inspection Fee | Varies |
Timeline Expectations
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| First Plan Review | 25-30 business days |
| Resubmission Review | 10 business days or less |
| Inspection Scheduling | Call (904) 255-8500 |
Residential vs. Commercial Requirements
Residential Structured Cabling
- Owner-installed systems in single-family homes may be exempt
- Network drops and home office installations
- WiFi access point pre-wiring
- Contractor-installed systems should verify permit requirements
Commercial Structured Cabling
- All commercial installations typically require permits through JAXEPICS
- Plans must comply with Florida Building Code
- Larger projects may require sealed engineering drawings
- Must meet ANSI/TIA/EIA standards for cable system compliance
- EIA/TIA Commercial Building Wiring Standards 568 & 606
Common Structured Cabling Project Types
Typical structured cabling work in Duval County includes:
- Category Cabling: CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6A, CAT7, CAT8 network infrastructure
- Fiber Optic: Single-mode and multi-mode fiber backbone
- Data Centers: Server room and MDF/IDF buildouts
- Office Buildouts: Workstation drops and conference rooms
- Wireless Infrastructure: Access point cabling and PoE runs
- Voice Systems: VoIP and traditional phone cabling
- Audio-Visual: Conference room and digital signage cabling
Pro Tips for Duval County Structured Cabling Permits
Based on contractor experience in Jacksonville:
- Use JAXEPICS exclusively: All permits must be submitted online—no paper applications accepted
- Budget time for review: First reviews average 25-30 business days, so plan project timelines accordingly
- Submit complete packages: Incomplete submissions delay the review start date
- Get state certified: Local licenses are being phased out—ensure you have your Florida Certified license
- Contact Sandy or Saquira: For permit setup questions, these contacts at the city are helpful resources
- PDF format required: All documents must be submitted as PDFs
- Print approved plans: Contractors must print and provide onsite all approved documents for inspection
Stay Ahead of Permit Activity
Want to know when structured cabling projects hit permits in Duval County before they reach bid boards?
LVN Signal monitors permit activity across Florida and alerts you to opportunities the moment they are filed.
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