Food Establishment Plan Review in Jacksonville, Florida (2026)
Without an approved Food Establishment Plan Review, you cannot apply for your Jacksonville food service license or open for business — your health permit application will be rejected. This mandatory review, also called a facility plan review or kitchen layout approval, is conducted by the City of Jacksonville Department of Public Health. Key facts:
- 84 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 70
- $0–$0 government filing fees
- Varies processing time (depends on plan complexity and department workload)
Analyzed from Food Establishment Plan Review
83% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Food Establishment Plan Review
A Food Establishment Plan Review in Jacksonville, Florida is a mandatory pre-construction approval required under Florida Administrative Code 64E-11, which codifies the state's food service sanitation requirements. This code is locally administered and enforced by the Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval), which acts as the permitting authority. You cannot legally open your doors or even begin significant construction for a restaurant, food truck commissary, or catering kitchen without this review. The process ensures that your proposed layout, equipment, and facilities meet minimum standards for safe food handling, plumbing, lighting, and waste disposal before you invest in building or remodeling.
Operating or building without this approved plan carries serious and costly consequences. Based on enforcement actions and local regulations, typical penalties include:
- Stop-Work/Closure Orders: DOH-Duval inspectors can issue an immediate cease-and-desist order, halting all construction or, if you've opened, shutting down your operation until compliant plans are submitted and approved.
- Fines and Re-inspection Fees: Violations can trigger daily fines for non-compliance. More significantly, you may be forced to pay for mandatory re-inspections after making costly corrections to already-built structures or installed equipment.
- Permit Denial and Project Delays: Your final operating permit will not be issued, freezing your entire opening timeline. This delay can trigger penalties with your landlord, contractor, and lender, and may void certain insurance coverages during construction.
- Public Posting of Violations: In cases of operating without approval, the Department may post a public notice of violation at your establishment, damaging your reputation before you even open.
Legal code: State food code (locally administered), local health regulations, state sanitary code
Recent update: As of 2026, the Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval) has updated its digital submission portal, requiring all plan review applications to be filed electronically through its online system, eliminating previous paper-based submissions for faster initial intake.
Who Needs a Food Establishment Plan Review?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required for new construction, remodeling, or a change of ownership per Jacksonville Food Code § 6-101, which mandates a plan review for all permanent food service establishments. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required if preparing or handling food, including simple items like warming frozen pizzas, as defined by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) for establishments with food service. |
| Food Truck | Not Required | Mobile units require a separate Mobile Food Unit Plan Review; contact the Duval County Health Department for specific application forms and inspection protocols under Florida Administrative Code 64E-11. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required due to on-site food preparation (e.g., pastries, sandwiches) and the presence of equipment like espresso machines and refrigeration, triggering the plan review requirement. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (84 Fields)
70 of 84 auto-filledFood Service License Type
dropdownSelect the primary category of your food service operation from the dropdown menu, such as Restaurant, Seating, Culinary Education Program, Vending, or Theme Park.
COMMON MISTAKE: Choosing an incorrect category (e.g., selecting 'Seating' for a catering-only operation) causes immediate rejection because fees and requirements are tied to license type.
Number of Seats (for Seating license)
textEnter the total indoor seating capacity (number of chairs) for public dining; do not include outdoor seating or standing room.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this field blank if you selected a 'Seating' license type, or entering a non-numeric value, will halt your application.
Number of Seats (for Culinary Education Program)
textIf you selected 'Culinary Education Program,' enter the number of student seats in your instructional dining area.
COMMON MISTAKE: Filling this out when you did not select the 'Culinary Education Program' license type, as it creates a data mismatch.
Vending Machine Serial Number
textEnter the manufacturer's serial number for the specific vending machine(s) you are licensing, which is usually found on a metal plate on the unit.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a model number or a generic identifier instead of the unique serial number, which is required for equipment tracking.
Number of Theme Park Carts
textEnter the total count of mobile food carts operating within the theme park.
Plan Review Type
dropdownSelect the category of your plan review, such as New Construction, Remodel, Change of Ownership, or Menu/Concept Change.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'Remodel' for a simple equipment swap (which may be a different type) can trigger unnecessary, more detailed plan requirements.
Previous DBPR License Number
textIf this is a change of ownership or renewal, enter the Florida DBPR license number previously assigned to this location.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a license number from a different location or state, or guessing if unknown, which delays verification.
Previous Business Name
textIf applicable, enter the exact legal name of the prior business that held the license at this address.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a 'DBA' or trade name instead of the registered legal entity name, causing a mismatch with state records.
Legal Entity Name (Corporation/LLC/Partnership)
textEnter the exact, full legal name of the business entity (e.g., 'Sunshine Eats, LLC') as registered with the Florida Division of Corporations.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a personal name, a 'Doing Business As' (DBA) name, or an abbreviated version, which is the #1 cause of administrative rejection for this form.
Main Business Street Address or P.O. Box
textEnter the official mailing address for the legal entity, which can be a physical street address or a registered P.O. Box.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using the restaurant's physical address here if your legal entity uses a different registered address, creating a discrepancy with state filings.
ApronPrep auto-fills 70 of 84 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Food Establishment Plan Review Mistakes
1. Submitting an Incomplete Construction/Floor Plan Set
Many applicants submit basic sketches instead of the professional, sealed plans the city requires. Your packet must include a site plan, equipment layout, plumbing and electrical diagrams, and finishes schedule, all drawn to scale. Using a hand-drawn floor plan will trigger an immediate rejection and add 2–4 weeks as you must hire an architect or designer to redraft the documents. Ensure your plan set includes all components listed on the Health Department's 'Plan Review Submittal Checklist'.
2. Incorrect Equipment Manufacturer Specifications
Listing equipment by brand name only (e.g., 'True Reach-In Refrigerator') without the required model-specific NSF or UL certification numbers is a top rejection reason. The plan reviewer must verify every piece of commercial equipment meets ANSI/NSF food safety standards. For example, you must write 'True T‑49F, NSF/ANSI 7 Certified' on your layout. Omitting these details triggers a formal 'Request for Information' (RFI), stalling review for 1–2 weeks while you gather specification sheets.
3. Missing Grease Interceptor or Vent Hood Calculations
Jacksonville’s Plumbing and Mechanical Codes require specific calculations for grease interceptor size (based on fixture count and type) and commercial kitchen exhaust hood CFM ratings. Simply noting 'will install hood' is insufficient. Failing to provide the engineering calculations, often prepared by your mechanical contractor, results in a non-compliance notice. This adds 7–10 business days to your timeline as you must coordinate with your contractor to submit the missing data.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Food Establishment Plan Review
ApronPrep auto-fills 70 of 84 fields from one compliance interview.
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Food Establishment Plan Review by City in Florida
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | ||
| Miami | ||
| Tampa |
Timeline: Food Establishment Plan Review in Jacksonville
Gather Required Architectural and Engineering Plans
Compile your detailed construction plans, including architectural floor plans (with all equipment and fixtures), plumbing diagrams, and mechanical/electrical layouts stamped by a licensed engineer or architect. The Jacksonville Department of Health (FDOH-Duval) requires a minimum of two full sets of drawings. Ensure all dimensions, square footages, and equipment model numbers are clearly marked. The most common reason for plan rejection is missing or illegible plumbing schematics.
Submit Plan Review Application Package
File your complete application packet with the Florida Department of Health in Duval County. Submit all plans along with the Plan Review Application form (FDOH-DOH Form 50-51), a detailed equipment list, and menu summary. Applications are submitted in person or by mail to the Jacksonville Environmental Health office. Include a check or money order for the government filing fee, which is calculated based on your project's total construction cost—contact the FDOH-Duval Fee Coordinator for the exact amount.
FDOH Plan Reviewer Assessment
A state-licensed Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) will conduct a detailed review of your plans for compliance with the Florida Administrative Code Chapter 64E-11 (Food Hygiene). They will check for proper equipment sizing, handwashing station placement, ventilation, waste disposal design, and compliance with the Florida Building Code. The reviewer will issue either a list of required corrections or a preliminary approval. This stage often involves multiple rounds of back-and-forth if plans are incomplete.
Where to Apply
Applications are handled by your local board of health in each city. Select your city below for authority details, fees, and processing timeline.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Florida.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Annual Report Filing
state
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsThe processing timeline varies and depends on plan complexity and the completeness of your submittal, as per the Jacksonville Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). For straightforward applications, initial feedback can take several weeks; complex projects may require multiple review cycles. Contact the DEQ to confirm current processing estimates for your specific project scope.
The official government filing fee for a plan review in Jacksonville is $0, according to the DEQ's fee schedule. However, you must pay for related permits, such as a Building Permit or a Backflow Prevention Device Certification, which have their own fees. Not legal advice — verify total project costs with the DEQ.
No, a plan review approval is site-specific and cannot be transferred. The review assesses your specific equipment layout, plumbing, and finishes against the physical constraints of the approved location, per the Florida Administrative Code. If you move, you must submit a completely new plan review application for the new address.
You do not renew the plan review itself; it's a one-time approval for the initial construction or remodel. Ongoing compliance is maintained through your annual City Business License/Registration and routine health inspections. Major renovations or changes to your kitchen layout will trigger a requirement for a new plan review.
This is not a single inspection but a series of checks. After plan approval, inspectors verify construction matches the approved plans during rough-in (plumbing, electrical) and final building inspections. A separate pre-opening health inspection then ensures all equipment is installed and operational according to code, as detailed on the DEQ website.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Florida specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 84 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- State food code (locally administered), local health regulations, state sanitary code
- Jacksonville — Board of Health / Health Department
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