Northeast Florida

Kitchen Remodel in Duval County, Florida

Permit requirements, inspections and modeled costs for kitchen remodel in unincorporated Duval County. If your address falls inside a city, the municipal building department issues the permit instead.

Verified August 2026

Do you need a permit for kitchen remodel in Duval County?

It depends

It depends on scope. Like-for-like cosmetic work in Unincorporated Duval County is often exempt, but a permit is required as soon as you change structure, plumbing, electrical or the building envelope.

Budget $17,800$91,100 for the work itself (typically $38,100) plus $220$1,035 in permit fees.

Duval County cost model

Budget scope$17,800
Typical project$38,100
Premium / complex$91,100
per kitchen$17,800 – $91,100
Permit fees$220 – $1,035
vs national baseline-1%
Timeline6-12 weeks

Inspections you should expect

  • Rough plumbing and electrical
  • Framing where walls change
  • Final building inspection

What the county will ask for

  • Permit application
  • Floor plan showing changes
  • Electrical and plumbing scope
  • Contractor licensing

Cities inside the county that permit their own work

If the property is inside these municipalities, apply to the city rather than the county.

Statewide rules that apply here

Duval County enforces the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code, effective December 31, 2023. Local amendments can add requirements but cannot reduce the statewide minimum.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel?

Cosmetic replacement — cabinets in the same location, countertops, appliances, paint and flooring — typically does not require a permit. You do need one as soon as you move plumbing or electrical, add circuits, or alter walls.

How long does a kitchen remodel take?

A cosmetic refresh runs 3-5 weeks. A full gut with layout changes and permits typically runs 8-12 weeks, with cabinet lead time as the most common bottleneck.

Sources

Sources & verification

Last verified August 2026. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing — they are not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.