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The following is a list of questions frequently asked by citizens. You may search for specific words or phases, or shorten the list by selecting a specific category.
Beaches Energy
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Applications for utility service may be submitted in person, by fax, or by mail. Positive identification, i.e. Florida ID or valid Driver’s License is required. If submitting by mail or fax, please contact our Customer Service Department at 904-247-6241. |
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Yes, the residential deposit for new utility service is $125.00, however, the deposit may be waived when our new customers provide a good payment history for one full year from their previous utility company. We also accept the Navy Federal Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Program Certificate. For a commercial deposit, please contact our Customer Service Department at 904-247-6241. |
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Residential deposits with interest are returned after 12 months of satisfactory payment history. Commercial deposits are returned upon termination of utility service. |
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Call our Customer Service Department at 904-247-6241 or email us at Beaches Energy Customer Service. A new application and positive identification are required to transfer service, i.e. Florida ID or a valid Driver’s License. |
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Beaches Energy Services can recommend many ways to help you save on your electric and water bill. Electric and water bills vary depending on time of year, weather, number of days in a billing cycle, and usage. We offer a free residential energy audit to assist you in evaluating the electric usage in your home. To schedule your free residential energy audit, please contact our Customer Service Department at 904-247-6241 or e-mail us at Beaches Energy Customer Service. |
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Beaches Energy Services will install a Surge Protection Device that is designed to protect major motor-driven appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners. For detailed product information and to schedule installation, call our Customer Service Department at 904-247-6241 or email us at Beaches Energy Customer Service. |
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Our Care Program provides assistance to eligible applicants who are customers of Beaches Energy Services. Occasionally elderly, disabled, or low income members of our community may need assistance paying their monthly utility bills. BEAM (Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry) administers the Care Program and qualify the families that need assistance. You may contribute to our Care Program by donating on your monthly utility bill or by making a donation at our Customer Service Department. For more information, call 904-247-6241. |
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Beaches Energy Services is a member of the Florida Municipal Power Agency. The Agency provides wholesale power and it is owned by 29 municipal electric utilities. The Agency provides electric service to over 1.7 million Floridians. |
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Our residential electric utility rate compares very favorably to other utilities within the State of Florida and have historically remained below Florida’s average. |
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The Power Cost Adjustment is directly related to the cost of fuel used to generate electricity. The Power Cost Adjustment is NOT additional income for Beaches Energy Services. This is a direct pass-through expense. A large percentage of the electricity we provide to our customers is produced by using clean burning natural gas. The price of natural gas is currently over 100 percent higher than the historical seasonal price, and these recent high prices have caused increases in the monthly Power Cost Adjustment. |
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Our hearing and speech impaired customers may contact us through the Florida Relay Center: Voice: 1-800-955-8770 or TTY(Text Telephone): 1-800-955-8771 |
Bid Listings
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Bids and proposals are advertised in the Florida Times Union in the legal section. |
Building Permits
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Fill out a building permit application, consult the residential or commercial permit checklist and submit all required information and documentation to the Planning & Development Department, City Hall, 11 North 3rd St. View Planning and Development documents and forms. |
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Effective October 1, 2005, all submittals are reviewed under the 2004 Florida Building Code. For more information about this code visit their website. |
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Processing time varies with the complexity of your project. Some projects can be permitted over the counter. Others require extensive review and can take an average of 10 days. Permits for most minor projects are issued within three working days. The Building Inspection Division staff will contact you when the permit is ready for you to pick up. |
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Permits are not required for any work that is considered cosmetic, such as carpeting, replacing cabinets, painting, stucco; some siding replacement and some minor repair of work. It is best to call (904) 247-6231 to clarify if a permit is needed. |
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Building permit fees are calculated based on the size, type, and valuation of the construction proposed. You can get an estimate of permit fees, from staff, prior to submitting your application. Other fees may apply such as: water and sewer tap fees, and right-of-way permit fees. All fees are due when the permit is issued. |
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Building activity is allowed between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm., Monday through Saturday. Work is not allowed at any time on Sundays, New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. |
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The cost of the permit includes the permit fee, plan check fee and required inspections. |
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Under an exemption to the law a homeowner is allowed to pull a permit when acting as his own contractor for certain kinds of projects. You will need to verify with the Building Inspection Division that your project qualifies. The homeowner is legally responsible as the contractor and liable for employees hired to work on the project. Hiring a licensed professional, more often than not, will save you time and money. |
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You can verify if a contractor is licensed and find out if any complaints have been filed against them by contacting the Department of Business & Professional Regulation at (850) 487-1395 |
Code Enforcement
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A nuisance is defined as permitting any condition to exist that essentially interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property, or tends to depreciate the property value of others. |
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Overgrown grass; garbage or debris accumulation; a dilapidated building unfit for habitation; inoperable motor vehicles in a front lawn... Consult the Code of Ordinances for a full description. |
Fire Department
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No. Open fires are not allowed on the beach, but you may have a cooking fire in an approved gas or charcoal grill. |
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Open burning is allowed by permit only. Most properties in Jacksonville Beach do not meet the requirements to obtain a permit; however, it may be allowed under special circumstances. Consult the Fire Marshal's office at (904) 247-6201. |
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Only fireworks classified by the State Fire Marshal as sparklers may be ignited within city limits. Sparklers do not explode or fly through the air and explode. Any other fireworks are illegal throughout the State when used by individual consumers for recreational displays. |
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No. Classes are available through the American Red Cross at 358-8091, ext.1818, or the American Heart Association CPR locator service, at (877) 242-4277 or the American Red cross website |
General Information
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Please contact the Clerk of the Courts for Duval County. You can reach them by calling (904) 270-1508 or visiting the Duval County Clerk Web Page |
Parks & Recreation
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Call Special Events at (904) 270-1651 for details. |
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Parks are open to the public without reservations needed. However, if you plan to use the park as a venue for a large party it is recommended that you contact the Special Events department at (904) 270-1658 for specific rules and regulations. |
Planning & Development
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All new non-residential projects and any residential project of three (3) or more dwelling units require Development Plan approval. The Planning Division ensures that development or site plans are in compliance with the requirements of the Land Development Code. They also coordinate the site plan review process with other departments. |
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The only exemptions to the development plan approval process are additions to existing buildings and construction of one and two-family dwellings. |
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The fee for Development Plan Approval is $250.00 plus one twenty-fifth (1/25th) of one (1) cent ($0.0025) for each square foot of land area to be developed or $1500.00, whichever is less. |
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A variance is an approved deviation from the terms of the Land Development Code. If you have been notified that you require a variance for your project, it means that you do not meet certain zoning requirements (i.e. - setbacks, lot coverage, parking, etc.) and have to prove that the literal enforcement of the provisions of the Land Development code would result in undue and unnecessary hardship. |
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A non-refundable processing fee of $250.00 is due at the time you submit your application. |
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Conditional uses are those uses which are generally not compatible with other land uses permitted in a particular zoning district, but which may be allowed after an individual review to ensure the appropriateness of the use in that particular location. Only those uses which are authorized as conditional uses in Article VII of the Land Development code may be approved. |
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A non-refundable processing fee of $250.00 is due at the time you submit your application. |
Police Department
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Copies of offense reports and crash reports are available in the Records Section located in the lobby of police headquarters, and are open Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 6:00 pm, except holidays. Crash reports are confidential for the first 60 days and can only be released to the parties involved. Please bring a photo ID with you when requesting the report. Police reports can be located by case number or name. There is a nominal fee for reports. For more information call (904) 270-1667. |
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You can obtain a Citizen Police Academy application by visiting the link below or by calling (904) 247-6193. The application needs to be returned to the police department. Citizen Police Academy Application |
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We are a 24-hour, 7-day a week police department. The department is equipped to handle any request or call for service at any time of the day or night. After normal business hours, a customer may use the interactive television that is located in the lobby. This enables the citizen to talk to a communications officer face to face and request assistance. |
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The city has several designated parking areas, including city public lots. They are all clearly marked. It is not advised to park in an area that is not marked for parking. Areas do not have to be posted "No Parking" for parking violations to occur. |
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Yes! Dogs are allowed on the beach before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm. The dog has to remain on leash at all times. |
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You can file a police report by calling (904) 270-1667 and request a police officer respond to your location. You may also come to police headquarters at any time. In some circumstances, you can file a report by phone. Always remember to dial 911 if your situation is life threatening. |
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The City of Jacksonville Beach Police Department's application may be obtained from the Human Resources Department located at 11 N. 3rd Street. Job opportunities are also posted online and in the Human Resources Department. You may also call the Police Department Recruiter at (904) 247-6338. |
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There are three options. You may mail your payment to the City of Jacksonville Beach Police Department, 101 Penman Road South, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250; pay in person at city hall or the police department; or use the convenient drop slot located on the south side of city hall. The fines are noted on the parking citation. |
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You may contact the Jacksonville Beach Police Department at (904) 270-1667 and request to speak with a Patrol Supervisor. He or she will take your complaint and arrange for extra traffic monitoring. To report complaints or information online |
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You may call the Crime Prevention Unit at (904) 270-1670 and request information. |
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Call the Jacksonville Beach Police Department at (904) 270-1667 to report any graffiti. |
Police Department - Communications
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If you call 9-1-1 by mistake, do not hang up. Stay on the line and explain that you do not actually have an emergency. If a caller to 9-1-1 hangs up without stating the problem, the caller must be contacted in order to ensure that no actual emergency exists. This may involve dispatching an officer to your home or place of business to ensure that a problem does not exist. |
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If you need the police, but it is not of an emergency nature, please call our non-emergency line at (904) 270-1661. Examples of calls which should be placed to the non-emergency lines are:
- Traffic crashes which do not involve injuries
- Loud music or barking dogs
- To report incidents such as theft, if it is not happening right now
- To report incidents such as theft, if there is no suspect information
- Requests for information
- To report the malfunctioning of traffic signals
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Police Department - Records
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The Records Section is staffed from 7:00 am until 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except for City of Jacksonville Beach designated holidays. |
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A single sided copy is 15 cents, and a double sided copy is 20 cents. For extensive paperwork searches and copying, the cost of the Records Section staff person’s time is added to the cost of the actual copies. |
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The first 60 days following a crash, reports are restricted and released only to authorized persons. “Authorized persons” include: drivers, passengers, owners; insurance companies representing the driver, owner, passenger or property owner; attorneys representing any of the persons involved as stated above; and certain print and media, as per Florida State Statutes. |
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Each background check costs $5.00 per person or address which is researched. Background checks are limited to incidents occurring in the City of Jacksonville Beach. |
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All local bar employees must have identification cards. They cost $4.00 each, and are only issued on Fridays, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, and from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, except for City of Jacksonville Beach designated holidays which fall on a Friday. |
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No, we cannot fax copies of reports. |
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Fingerprinting is done every Friday, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, and from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, except for City of Jacksonville Beach designated holidays which fall on a Friday. |
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The cost is $3.00 per fingerprint card. You must bring the fingerprint card from the person or company requesting the fingerprinting to be done. We do not provide fingerprint cards. |
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Anyone who lives or works in the City of Jacksonville Beach. |
Public Works
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Easement means a grant of use of land by the land owner to any person, or to the general public for a specified purpose, such as the construction or maintenance of utilities and/or storm water drainage. |
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Right-of Way means the area of a highway, road, street, way, parkway, alley, electric transmission line, gas pipeline, water main, storm or sanitary sewer main, or other such strip of land reserved for public use by legal means. |
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The hardness is measured as 323 MgL as Calcium Carbonate or 17 to 19 grains. |
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From artesian wells extending from 900 to 1200 feet into the Floridan Aquifer. This aquifer is considered one of the safest, highest quality water sources in the world. |
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