nofars.net

From August 2017 NOFARS Balanced Modulator

A question posed often by NOFARS members concerns the need for construction or building permits for Amateur Radio towers in Duval County.  Over the past thirty years or so, responses by Jacksonville building and zoning (B&Z) representatives have varied.

Interpreted strictly, the ordinance code might imply that permits are required for just about any improvement made to a home or lot.

Some representatives have insisted that outdoor antennas and even appurtenances like backyard swingsets and dog houses require a permit.  Others have stated that ham towers don't require permits.

And they could make you prove that your improvement is safe by requiring expensive plans certified by an engineer.  This requirement could also apply to lawn furniture, outdoor planters, sports equipment like basketball goals, trampolines, etc. and other common home accessories.

Limited state and federal protection exists for Amateur Radio antennas, clothesline poles, flagpoles, solar panels and outdoor television antennas for those without cable service--but permits could conceivably be required for those items too.

Where B&Z draws the line is unclear.  A recent item on their website indicated that patios do not require permits.  Most fences are exempt from permit requirements too.

But permits are required when external doors are replaced.

Some local hams with outdoor installations, usually after complaints from neighbors,  have received visits from enforcement officials.  Some have been told to get a permit.  But when challenged to provide applicable legal justification--the visitors either backed down or left and never returned.  I haven't heard of anyone being fined or forced to get a permit for their installation.

Responses at NOFARS meetings indicate that probably 90% or more do not have permits for their masts/towers/antennas.  

The bottom line...it's your call.  But if you contact B&Z and get a favorable response indicating that a permit is not necessary, try to get it in writing or at least note who told you and when.

DE N4UF

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From the Jacksonville city website (as of late August 2017)

 Permitting Non-Commercial Work (Residential)

To protect the residents of this county, each structure (1) that is placed on any individual lot requires permitting. This is done to provide the municipality the opportunity to review the construction project for compliance with local and state building codes and ordinances

Permits-When Required: Section 104.1.1 FBC states that any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical (2), gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the technical codes, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit for the work.

The following work does not require a permit:

Building

Patio slabs

Plumbing

Replacement of plumbing fixtures after the stop, excluding water heaters

Stopping of leaks

Clear drain stoppages, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.

Mechanical

Connection of portable equipment such as portable heating appliances, portable ventilation equipment, portable cooling units, and portable evaporative coolers.

Any steam, hot, or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by the code.

Replacement of any part within a single piece of equipment

Any self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less.

N4UF's comments

(1) Antenna masts and towers are NOT considered structures under the Jacksonville ordinance code.

(2) Electrical usually involves line voltages.  Antennas and rf transmission lines are generally considered to be components of electronic systems--not addressed in the posted provisions.

OTHER NE FLORIDA COUNTIES & TOWNS

Surrounding jurisdictions seem to use similar interpretations with regard to outdoor masts, towers and antennas.