7/8/26 @ 6:00 a.m.

​On July 1, 2026, a new Florida law (House Bill 803) went into effect which created limited exemptions from building permit requirements for certain residential projects. While some homeowners may no longer need a building permit for qualifying work, approval from the Nassau County Building Department is still required before work begins. This allows the Building Department to verify that a project meets the requirements of the new law before work begins, helping homeowners avoid costly mistakes, delays, or code violations.​

What projects may qualify?

For single-family homes, certain non-structural residential projects valued at less than $7,500 may qualify for a permit exemption.

What is NOT exempt?

A building permit is still required for:

• Electrical work
• Plumbing work
• Mechanical work
• Gas work
• Structural work (including roofing, windows, doors, soffits, and other structural modifications)
• Work on properties located in a flood zone or flood hazard area.

The law also creates a permit exemption for certain temporary residential flood barriers that meet specific state requirements. These installations must also receive approval from the Building Department before installation.

Before you begin
Even if your project appears to qualify, do not begin work until you have received written approval from the Nassau County Building Department. Approved exemption documentation must remain on-site during construction. The County also reminds residents that exempt work will not receive County inspections, and property owners are responsible for ensuring all work complies with applicable building codes and regulations.

For complete eligibility requirements, exemption request forms, and additional guidance, visit the Building Department's Announcements page at https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/491/Announcements. You may also contact the Building Department by phone at (904) 530-6250 or via e-mail at [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

3/15/26 @ 9:00 a.m. 

It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will share a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected.

Day Seven
Flooding doesn’t just damage buildings, it impacts local economies.  If flooding affected Nassau County, what would the cost be to homes, roads, businesses, and natural resources? Mitigation pays off: every $1 invested in flood protection saves $6 in recovery costs. Learn about funding opportunities at https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/1461/Flood-Economics.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

3/14/26 @ 6:00 a.m.

​It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will share a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected.

Day Six
Before human intervention, nature had already been regulating floodplains through natural systems like gardens, parks and wetlands.  For these systems to be effective today, drains should stay clear or debris, so systems don’t overflow.  Drain overflows can lead to runoff and pollution in local waterways.  Learn more at https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/1460/Protect-Natural-Floodplain-Functions.

​
-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

3/13/26 @ 6:00 a.m. It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will share a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected.

Day Five
The best way to prevent buildings from being flooded is not to build in the floodplains.  There are various ways to improve flood prone structures like using current floodplain management techniques, such as elevating and floodproofing.  Visit https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/1458/Protect-Property-from-Hazard. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

3/12/26 @ 6:00 a.m.

It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will share a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected.

Day Four
Your home is probably your biggest investment; don’t leave it unprotected!  Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., but simple upgrades can help reduce damage.  Know your flood risk and take steps to protect what matters most.  To learn more about practical ways to protect your property, visit www.fema.gov. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

3/11/26 @ 6:00 a.m.

It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will share a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected.

Day Three
Flooding can happen quickly, so having a disaster supply kit and a preparedness plan is so important.  A few simple steps like gathering essentials, planning evacuation routes, and knowing how you’ll stay informed can make a big difference before a storm hits.

To find a disaster supply checklist and to learn how to make a preparedness plan, visit onenassau.com.

​
-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

3/10/26 @ 6:00 a.m.

It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will share a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected.

Day Two
​Are you aware that property insurance is not the same as flood insurance?  Flood insurance helps renters, owners and businesses recover from flood damage, which is often not covered by property insurance.  Visit Flood Insurance | FEMA.gov to learn more. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

3/10/26 @ 9:00 a.m.

​The Florida Floodplain Managers Association has proclaimed the week of March 9-March 15, 2026 as Flood Awareness Week to promote awareness and increase knowledge of flood risk, the availability of flood insurance, flood protection methods, and how to prepare for emergencies.  

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners issued a Proclamation at last night's meeting, declaring this week of Flood Awareness Week in Nassau County, Florida, to spread awareness locally. As a voluntary member of the National Flood Insurance Program and the Community Rating System, residents in the unincorporated areas of the County enjoy a 15% reduction in flood insurance policy rates. This is due to the County’s proactive floodplain management efforts, public outreach initiatives, and mitigation activities that exceed the minimum standards established by FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program

Nassau County's CRS Coordinator Sara Clifton accepted the Proclamation, stating, "Flood Awareness Week gives us a chance to promote risks, awareness and increase knowledge on preparedness and potential mitigation. It helps support resiliency for one of the most common natural disasters in the U.S. Through March 15, we will be sharing daily flood awareness messages to help inform our community about important flood related topics."  She also thanked the BOCC for its support in flood awareness messaging and activities. 

Residents are encouraged to follow Nassau County’s blog and social media channels throughout the week for daily flood awareness tips and resources to help protect their homes, families, and property. For additional information on the National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating System, please visit our website at ​www.nassaucountyfl.com/627/Flood-Information.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

3/9/26 @ 6:00 a.m.

​It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will share a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected.

Day One: 
Did you know that most areas in Florida are potentially prone to some amount of flooding from excessive rainfall or tidal influences? Residents, property owners, and business owners need to know their flood risk.  Find out at nassaufl.co/myfloodrisk.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

​

1/5/26 @ 11:30 a.m.

Join us for a community workshop focused on flood risk and strengthening resiliency across Nassau County. This workshop will provide an overview of the County’s ongoing resiliency efforts and share preliminary findings from the Nassau County Resiliency Study.

Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to participate by sharing input on areas vulnerable to flooding, community priorities, and preferred mitigation strategies. Attendees will also learn about practical solutions available to private property owners to help protect homes and businesses.

Home and business owners will also have the opportunity to meet with County staff to discuss site-specific flooding concerns and future resilience planning. Representatives from the Northeast Florida Regional Council, St. Marys Riverkeeper, and North Florida Land Trust will be available to provide information and answer questions related to regional resiliency initiatives.

​WHAT: Flood Adaptation Plan Workshop 
WHEN: Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. 
WHERE: Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Stormwater Drainage Department at (904) 530-6390 or e-mail [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

12/21/25 @ 4:00 p.m.

​Nassau County’s impact fees have remained unchanged for many years, even as the cost of building essential infrastructure has continued to rise. Florida law requires local governments to periodically review and update impact fees to ensure they remain fair, lawful, and aligned with the actual cost of growth.

Unfortunately, following three public workshops where accurate information was presented publicly, misinformation is circulating about the purpose, collection, and necessity of impact fees. To ensure residents have accurate information, the County is clarifying the facts. Please click here to read our Press Release: Impact Fees - Fact vs. Fiction. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

8/29/25 @ 2:30 p.m. - At the Monday, August 25, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners took time to honor Building Official Keith Ellis as he prepared to retire after an incredible 29 years of service to Nassau County.

Keith’s career in the construction industry spans more than four decades, beginning in the private sector before joining Nassau County nearly 30 years ago. Over that time, he wore many hats, beginning as a Building Inspector, then moving into roles such as Plans Examiner, Senior Plans Examiner, Interim Building Official, and ultimately serving as the County’s Building Official and Floodplain Administrator.
His commitment to professionalism never wavered. Keith earned State of Florida licenses as an inspector and plans examiner in every various trades including Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical,as well as the Florida Building Code Administrator license. Beyond that, he pursued 27 International Code Council Certifications, including the highly respected Master Code Professional and Certified Building Official titles. In 2009, he also became a Certified Floodplain Manager, adding another layer of expertise to his work.

For nearly three decades, Keith worked side by side with Nassau County’s building community and local property owners, always striving to ensure that projects met safety and code requirements. His knowledge, fairness, and dedication made him a trusted figure for contractors, homeowners, and colleagues alike.
As he officially steps into retirement on August 29, 2025, Keith leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and service. He will be deeply missed by those who had the privilege of working with him, as well as by the many citizens whose homes, businesses, and community spaces are safer because of his work.
​
The Board of County Commissioners expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Keith Ellis, commending his outstanding service and wishing him health, happiness, and fulfillment in this next chapter of life.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

6/1/25 @ 9:00 a.m. - Today is the beginning of Hurricane Season so we wanted to take time to remind everyone of the dangers of flooding and the importance of flood insurance. 

No home is completely safe from a flood and unfortunately, most home insurance policies don't cover flooding. According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), 32% of NFIP flood claims come from outside high-flood risk areas. Heavy rainfall and flooding can overwhelm drainage systems, causing water to seep into homes and cause extensive damage to floors, walls, and personal belongings. According to Floridadisaster.org, just one inch of water can cause more than $25,000 in damage! 

Flood insurance is available to everyone: homeowners, condo owners, business owners, and renters. Flood insurance be purchased at anytime, however waiting until a storm is threatening your home is too late as many policies take up to 30 days to go into effect. Start shopping now, if you haven't already. 

Other ways you can protect yourself and property include: 

• Know Your Hazard. Visit FEMA's Flood Map Service center at msc.fema.gov/portal/search and enter your address to identify your flood zone. 
• Know Your Zone. Use resources like Florida Disaster's "Know Your Zone", to determine if you're property is in an evacuation zone or low-lying, flood prone area.  
• Elevate Utilities. Raise electrical outlets, switches, HVAC systems and other utilities above the flood level to prevent water damage. 
• Seal Openings. Seal all openings in the foundation, walls, and doors with waterproof sealants, caulking and weather strips to prevent water intrusion. 
• Landscape Improvements. Modify landscaping to redirect surface water away from the foundation such as grading the soil, installing swales or French drains, and using permeable paving materials. 
• Keep Gutters Clear. Ensure gutters and storm drains are free of debris to allow water to flow away from your home. 
• Build Responsibly. Don't develop in floodplains. Though federal and state laws may allow construction in floodplains if the structure is raised above the base flood elevation, there can still be problems. When floodplains are filled or paved over, they are no longer able to absorb water. 

For information on your flood hazard and flood zone, visit our new GIS Flood Map Service Page. Additional information on flooding, its impacts and property insurance can also be found at https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/627/Flood-Information. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

4/1/25 @ 9:30 a.m. - Elevate Florida is a first-of-its-kind, statewide program designed to enhance community resilience by mitigating private residences against natural hazards like floods and hurricanes.  Led by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the program offers grants and low-interest loans to help homeowners cover the costs of elevating their homes, rebuilding them at a higher elevation or acquiring and demolishing at-risk structures to maintain as open space. 

At this time, Elevate Florida is accepting applications from property owners who want to make improvements to their residential properties to protect against future impacts. To be considered, you must: 

• Be over the age of 18
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be the legal property owner of a residential property in the State of Florida
• Be able to contribute up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the project's total cost.

Multi-family real estate such as duplexes, triplexes, condos, townhomes, semi-detached homes, apartments and manufactured homes may also be eligible. The property does not need to have experience flooding or damage in the past to be considered. However, applications many be prioritized based on a history of loss. The property being submitted for a mitigation project must be owned by the individual(s), not a corporate or commercial entity (including LLCs).

To learn more about the program, including where/how to apply, please visit: https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/mitigation/elevate-Florida/. The application deadline is April 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

3/24/25 @ 11:00 a.m. -

​Elevate Florida is a new, statewide residential mitigation program. Led by the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM), this program is designed to protect homes and communities by reducing damage caused by natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. There are currently two virtual sessions scheduled for Tuesday, March 25th, one from 12:00-1:00 p.m. and another from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Legal property owners of residential property in the State of Florida are encouraged to attend. Participants will receive an overview of the Elevate Florida Program including the program process, property owner cost-share, and a Q&A session. 
​

• To register for the March 25th session from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., click here. 
• To register for the March 25th session from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m., click here. 

After registering, you will receive a webinar link. 

For more information about Elevate Florida, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org/ElevateFlorida.