Zoning Guidance

ITEMS TO BE ADDRESSED

• Buildable Lots
• Accessory Structures
• Building Department & Permitting Guidance
• Camper Trailers - Travel Trailers - Recreational Vehicles (RV) - Fifth Wheels
• Cell Towers
• Complaints and Concerns
• Water & Sewer Availability

BUILDABLE LOTS

• A parcel of land must be a minimum of one (1) acre or a lot of record prior to August of 1978; there must be proof that a lot that is less than one acre was created prior to August of 1978

  • The Clerk of Courts office has a copy of the original deed and acreage on file.

• All components of your build must meet setbacks. Standard setbacks for MOST lots are:

  • 25 Feet front setback
  • 10 Feet side setback
  • 10 Feet rear setback
  • 50 Feet setback from wetlands or water bodies

• How can I confirm that my property is buildable?

  • Franklin County staff cannot confirm that a lot is buildable.
  • The only way to confirm that your lot is buildable is to obtain a survey that includes all setback lines and any wetland coverage. Your site plan can be placed on the survey to ensure that everything will fit in the buildable area. Be sure to include EVERYTHING on your site plan, including septic and well (if applicable).

Back to top

ACCESSORY STRUCTURES

• Accessory structures cannot be constructed until a principal structure is erected. (Sea walls and docks are exempt from this requirement.)

  • Accessory structures are any structure or use subordinate to the principal structure - this includes pole barns, pools, and sheds.
  • Example: Pole barns cannot be built on a vacant lot. Pole barns are not allowable until a principal structure (a dwelling for residential lots) has been built.
  • See Ordinance 2024-07.

Back to top

BUILDING DEPARTMENT AND PERMITTING GUIDANCE

• Please refer to the Building Department website.

Back to top

CAMPER TRAILERS - TRAVEL TRAILERS - RECREATIONAL VEHICLES (RV) - FIFTH WHEELS

• Prohibited as permanent living quarters in Franklin County.

• May be stored on your property.

• Camping is allowed for up to14 days - campers must be self-contained

  • Connecting to Power, Water, Sewer, or Septic is not permitted

To search for local campgrounds in Franklin County, click here.

Back to top

CELL TOWERS & COMMUNICATION TOWERS

• Before you apply for a Building Permit for a Cell Tower, board approval is required.

  • Cell towers are allowed in all classified zones as a special exception

    • Find applications on the Planning & Zoning Applications page.

      • All cell towers require special exception approval
      • If over 47 feet tall, a height variance approval is required

  • Standard setback requirements apply

Back to top

COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS

By law, no complaint or concern can be submitted anonymously.

• To submit your complaint or concern by using the Report a Concern/Complaint feature, visit the page.

  Compliance Portal

Back to top

WATER & SEWER AVAILABILITY

• Contact your area Water & Sewer department:

  • Alligator Point Water: (850) 349-2274
  • Apalachicola Water & Sewer: (850) 653-9319
  • Carrabelle Water & Sewer: (850) 697-2727
  • Eastpoint Water & Sewer: (850) 670-8177
  • St. George Island Water: (850) 927-2648

• If water and sewer are not available, contact the Department of Environmental Protection for septic permits and the North Florida Water Management District for well permits.

Back to top

DO YOU HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS NOT LISTED HERE?

• Email Zoning at zoning@franklincountyflorida.gov
• All Rezoning, Land Use changes, and Variances can be viewed on the Zoning Portal.

Back to top