(850) 482-9633

2864 Madison St,
Marianna, FL 32448

Planning Division

Jackson County Comprehensive Plan

The State of Florida adopted the “Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act” in 1985 which became sections 163.3161-163.450 of the Florida Statutes and requires counties to “prepare a comprehensive plan of the type and in the manner set out in this act”. The plan is designed to require local governments to plan for their future development and growth and adopt administrative instruments with which to implement that plan.

The Plan is the senior policy document providing guidelines for growth management within that jurisdiction and all other regulations may not supersede the policy set forth in the Comprehensive Plan. Land development regulations are to be implementing instruments for the policies set out in the Comprehensive Plan. In the absence of land development regulations, the Comprehensive Plan policy prevails.

Future Land Use

Jackson County does not utilize traditional zoning. The County relies on the policies stated in the Future Land Use Element (FLUE) of the adopted Comprehensive Plan and the land use categories defined therein.

The FLUE includes a Future Land Use Map which depicts the location and distribution of the land use categories. These land use categories and associated policies are the controlling factors in what development is appropriate for a specific parcel of land.

Compass Lake in the Hills Subdivision

Land Use Change/Map Amendments

Land owners may be able to change the land use category applied to their property through the Comprehensive   Plan amendment process. There are two types of plan amendments, major and small scale map amendments. Major amendments involve parcels greater than 10 acres or policy revisions.

Small scale amendments are for map amendments only and are used to change the land use category applied to parcels 10 acres or less in size. The small scale amendment process cannot be used to change a policy in the plan. Small scale amendments must be supported by the applicant and are reviewed for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan policies by the Planning Department and the Planning Commission before a recommendation on it is presented to the Board of County Commissioners for action. Small scale amendments normally require 8-10 weeks to process.

New Residential Developments

It is recommended that you visit the Community Development Department prior to purchasing or developing a parcel of land for residential or other type of development. The planning staff can review the parcel to determine the existing land use category and residential density available. The actual permit process begins with the submission of a Residential Development Order application to the planning division.

The completed application will then be reviewed by a planner. The department has ten business days to review and take action on the application. if there are concerns with the application you will be contacted via the  information you listed on the application. Once the development order has been approved, it is forwarded to the Environmental Health and Building Services. The applicant must also complete and submit applications with these two departments. Once a septic system permit has been issued the initial building permit can be issued. All of these permitting offices are located within the Jackson County Health Department at 4979 Healthy Way, Marianna, FL 32446.

Commercial & Non-Residential Developments

It is recommended that you contact the Planning Division prior to purchasing a parcel of land for commercial and non-residential development. A pre-application meeting may be required prior to submitting a development order. However, the communications during any pre-application meeting shall be considered preliminary, informal, and not binding on either party.

After the pre-application meeting has taken place, the developer shall submit the development order application along with plans for staff review in accordance with the submission requirements. Upon receipt of these plans, all development order application fees which are required will be paid at this time. The amounts of those fees shall be according to the fee schedule adopted by the Board of County Commissioners. Staff will determine whether the application is complete within ten calendar days and will notify the applicant if the application and supporting documents is incomplete. If the application is determined to be insufficient, the applicant will have 30 calendar days to provide a complete application. If the applicant does not respond within 30 calendar days of notification of insufficiency, then the application will be considered withdrawn.

Once a completed application has been received by the Planning Division, staff has 30 days to review the plans. If the development order requires Board approval, the application will be presented to the Planning Commission. At a regular public hearing, the Planning Commission will review the Planning staff report and make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners. A public hearing of the Board of County Commissioners will follow and a final decision made. Upon approval by Planning staff or Board of County Commissioners, a Development Order or Development Agreement will be signed by the developer and County and permits may then be obtained to begin construction.

Planning Commission Meetings

The Planning Commission is the recommending board to the Board of County Commissioners. Planning Commission meetings are held when there are agenda items. Meetings are scheduled on the first and third Mondays of every month at 5:30 pm, Central Standard Time, and 6:00 pm during Central Daylight Savings Time. Agenda items may be placed on the next available regular county commission meeting as per advertising requirements.

The Board of County Commissioners meet twice per month. Planning Commission agenda items are scheduled at the regular meetings on either the second Tuesday of the month at 9:00 am Central Time or the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm Central Time. The Board reserves the right to change the meeting dates which are posted on the county website.

All meetings are held in the County Commission Board room of the Jackson County Administration building located at 2864 Madison Street Marianna, Florida 32448.

Flood Information

Protect your property from flood damage.

Unincorporated Jackson County is a participator of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) helps provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves in additional coverage is required.  The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP.  If you are looking at buying a property, it is a good idea to check out the possible flood hazards before you buy.  Most Homeowners insurances do not cover flood damage.  Talk to your insurance provider about your policy and consider if you need additional coverage.

If you would like to know if your home is in a special flood hazard area, please contact the Jackson County Community Development Office at (850)482-9637 or visit our office at 4979-B Healthy Way, Marianna, FL.

Please click on the websites below to obtain more information on flood insurance, flood mitigation, and other flood-related topics.  You can also check the Jackson County Library and the FEMA website for available resources on flood damage prevention for your home and other FEMA publications.

Flood Preparation Safety Brochure

Flood Hazard Area Brochure

www.floodsmart.gov

www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/flood.html#About

FIRM Presentation – March 22nd, 2022

FEMA Flood Zones

Call the Planning Division at (850)482-9637 in order to schedule a meeting or visit the FEMA website at http://msc.fema.gov.

Office Hours

Monday through Friday

7:30 am to 4:30 pm Central Time (Jackson County observes daylight savings time.)