Bolthole Index

Levy County, Florida

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Fanning Springs, Florida

Fanning Springs, Florida requires building permits for covered construction inside city limits, issued by the city Building Department.12 Fanning Springs sets its own zoning; septic permits and inspections go through the local county health department.34 Fanning Springs extends into Levy County and Gilchrist County, so confirm which county contains your parcel before applying for a septic permit.4

At a glance

Building permits
Required for covered construction; city Building Department12
Zoning
City zoning districts and Official Zoning Atlas3
Septic permits
Local county health department for the parcel; permits and inspections required56
RV during construction
Temporary travel-trailer residential use limited to active construction; beyond 12 months needs City Council approval7
Lot coverage
AG: 20%; conventional single-family homes and accessory buildings in RSF districts: 40%89
Owner-builder
Conditional Florida exemption from contractor licensing; building permits and code compliance remain required10
Occupancy approval
Certificate of Land Development Regulation Compliance required for covered new or changed uses11

Who to call

Building permits

City of Fanning Springs Building Department

City building-permit applications and building inspections

(352) 463-2855

fsbdpermit@gmail.com

17651 NW 90th Court Fanning Springs, Florida 32693

Online permits →

Zoning

City of Fanning Springs Zoning Services

City zoning and initial development inquiries at City Hall

(352) 463-2855

adminassistant@fanningsprings.org

17651 NW 90th Court Fanning Springs, Florida 32693

Septic permits

Florida Department of Health in Levy County - Environmental Health

Onsite sewage treatment and disposal system permitting and inspections in Levy County

352-486-5300

EHPermitsLevy@FLHealth.gov

66 West Main St. Bronson, FL 32621

Septic permits

Florida Department of Health in Gilchrist County—Environmental Health

Environmental-health inquiries for parcels in Gilchrist County; confirm septic jurisdiction by parcel

352-463-3120

EHPermitsGilchrist@FLhealth.gov

119 NE 1st St. Trenton, FL 32693

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Fanning Springs means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Fanning Springs have zoning, and what limits apply?

Fanning Springs regulates land through city zoning districts and an Official Zoning Atlas held by the Land Development Regulation Administrator.3 Start a parcel-specific zoning inquiry at City Hall rather than applying Levy County’s unincorporated-area standards to a city lot.123

In Fanning Springs’ AG district, all buildings together may cover no more than 20% of the lot.8 In the city’s RSF-1, RSF-1A and RSF-2 districts, conventional single-family dwellings and accessory buildings have a combined 40% lot-coverage limit.9 Structures in those AG and RSF districts have a 40-foot height limit, subject to the regulations’ exceptions.1314 Ask City Hall to identify the parcel’s district, allowed use, lot-size standard and setbacks before choosing a building footprint.12

Do you need a building permit in Fanning Springs, and who issues it?

Fanning Springs requires a building permit for covered construction, subject to Florida Building Code exceptions and any additional city land-development approvals.1 The Fanning Springs Building Department reviews building-permit applications, issues building permits and conducts building inspections within city boundaries.2 Contact the Building Official at (352) 463-2855 or fsbdpermit@gmail.com; the city building-department page links its online permitting portal and fee schedule.215

Florida’s owner-builder exemption can allow an owner to act as contractor for a residence intended for the owner’s own occupancy, with direct onsite supervision and other statutory conditions; building permits, inspections and code compliance still apply.10 Fanning Springs’ zoning and land-development application fees are established by City Council resolution filed with the City Clerk; request the applicable charges before submitting an application.16

How do septic permits work inside Fanning Springs?

Fanning Springs septic permits and inspections come from the local county health department for the parcel, with jurisdiction depending on whether the property lies in Levy or Gilchrist County.456 For a Levy County parcel, contact Florida Department of Health Environmental Health at 352-486-5300 or EHPermitsLevy@FLHealth.gov.17 For a Gilchrist County parcel, direct environmental-health inquiries to 352-463-3120 or EHPermitsGilchrist@FLhealth.gov.18

Florida requires a site evaluation to determine septic-system suitability, and installing, replacing, repairing, modifying or abandoning a septic system requires the applicable septic permit.19 Ask the city about sewer availability before designing a septic system: Florida requires an existing properly functioning septic system to connect within 365 days after written notification that an available sewer system can serve it, subject to statutory exceptions.20

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Fanning Springs?

Fanning Springs allows temporary mobile-home or travel-trailer residential use incident to construction or development only while that work is actively underway.7 The temporary use cannot continue beyond 12 months without City Council approval, and approval requires a finding that actual construction has begun and is continuing.7

We could not confirm a general rule allowing long-term RV occupancy on private land in Fanning Springs, or a separate city rule for tiny-home occupancy; ask city Zoning Services about your proposed use and parcel.12 Ask the Building Official how a proposed small dwelling would be permitted and inspected.2 Fanning Springs requires a Certificate of Land Development Regulation Compliance before covered newly created or changed buildings or premises may be used or occupied.11

Building a home in Fanning Springs: what are the steps?

  1. Start at Fanning Springs City Hall with your parcel and proposed use; city development services begin there.12
  2. Confirm the city zoning district and development standards before finalizing plans.3
  3. Determine sewer availability and, if septic is proposed, contact the health department for the parcel’s county for septic permitting and site evaluation.20419
  4. Submit the covered construction to the Fanning Springs Building Department for a building permit and arrange building inspections through that department.12
  5. Obtain the city’s Certificate of Land Development Regulation Compliance before occupying a covered new or altered building or premises.11

What should you check before buying land in Fanning Springs?

Ask Fanning Springs Zoning Services to review the parcel’s proposed use against the city zoning district before committing to a design.123 Fanning Springs regulates subdivision by metes and bounds for sale, transfer or lease, and a parcel created by a nonconforming subdivision after the regulations’ effective date cannot receive a building permit.21

Florida generally requires a water-well permit from the appropriate water management district or delegated authority before well construction, repair or abandonment; ask the city about available water service when planning utilities.2212 We could not confirm whether off-grid sanitation is allowed inside Fanning Springs; ask city Zoning Services and the parcel’s county health department before purchasing land for that purpose.124 For land outside city limits, use the Levy County guide for the county’s unincorporated-area zoning answer.23

Watch-outs

  • Fanning Springs spans Levy and Gilchrist counties; confirm the parcel’s county before contacting a septic-permit office.4
  • Temporary travel-trailer residential use during active construction is limited to 12 months without City Council approval.7
  • Fanning Springs requires a Certificate of Land Development Regulation Compliance for covered new or changed uses before occupancy.11

Sources

  1. Building Department – City of Fanning Springs (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Fanning Springs Building Department (fanningsprings.org)
  3. Land Development Regulations for the City of Fanning Springs, Florida (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Sewage & Septic – Florida Department of Health (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  5. Onsite Sewage & Septic – Florida Department of Health (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  6. Onsite Sewage & Septic – Florida Department of Health (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  7. Land Development Regulations for the City of Fanning Springs, Florida (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  8. fanningsprings.org (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  9. fanningsprings.org (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  10. 2026 Florida Statutes § 489.103, Exemptions (Florida statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Land Development Regulations for the City of Fanning Springs, Florida (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  12. City of Fanning Springs Zoning Services (fanningsprings.org)
  13. fanningsprings.org (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  14. fanningsprings.org (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  15. Zoning Information – City of Fanning Springs (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  16. Land Development Regulations for the City of Fanning Springs, Florida (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  17. Florida Department of Health in Levy County - Environmental Health (levy.floridahealth.gov)
  18. Florida Department of Health in Gilchrist County—Environmental Health (gilchrist.floridahealth.gov)
  19. OSTDS Construction Application (Florida statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. leg.state.fl.us (Florida statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Land Development Regulations for the City of Fanning Springs, Florida (Fanning Springs), quoted and re-checked
  22. Water Well Contractor Licensing and Permitting (Florida statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Zoning Information Page, quoted and re-checked

Written October 10, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Fanning Springs

Fanning Springs’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Building operations inside Fanning Springs city limits.

    • The permit must be prominently displayed during construction.
    • A permit becomes invalid if work does not commence within six months, or is suspended or abandoned for six months; written extensions of no more than 90 days each may be allowed.

    permit commencement deadline: 6 months (Work must commence after issuance.) · maximum written extension period: <= 90 days (One or more extensions may be allowed by the Land Development Regulation Administrator.)

    “No owner, contractor, workman or any other person shall perform any building operations of any kind unless a building permit covering such operation has been displayed as required by these land development regulations”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Building-permit applications for construction inside Fanning Springs city limits.
      “Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure [...] shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use or occupancy of buildings or premises created, erected, changed, converted, altered, or enlarged inside Fanning Springs city limits.

    • The city document calls the required document a Certificate of Land Development Regulation Compliance.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued for no more than six months during alterations or partial occupancy.

    temporary certificate maximum duration: 6 months (during alterations or partial occupancy pending completion)

    “It shall be unlawful to use or occupy, or permit the use or occupancy, of any building or premises, or part of any building or premises created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use or structure until a Certificate of Land Development Regulation Compliance shall have been issued by the Land Development Regulation Administrator stating that the proposed use of the structure or land conforms to the requirements of these land development regulations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Use or occupancy of a building or premises created, erected, changed, converted, altered, enlarged, or changed in use inside Fanning Springs.
      “It shall be unlawful to use or occupy, or permit the use or occupancy, of any building or premises, or part of any building or premises created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use or structure until a Certificate of Land Development Regulation Compliance shall have been issued”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside the incorporated City of Fanning Springs.

    • The regulations apply to the entire incorporated area of the City.
    “These land development regulations shall apply to the entire incorporated area of the City.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    The incorporated area of Fanning Springs city subject to the city land development regulations and Official Zoning Atlas.

    • The Official Zoning Atlas is adopted by reference and remains on file with the Land Development Regulation Administrator.
    • District-specific rules include AG, RSF-1, RSF-1A, RSF-2, and other districts in the regulations.
    “The land areas subject to these land development regulations are hereby divided into zone districts as set out in this Article above and as shown on the Official Zoning Atlas of the City.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Land inside Fanning Springs city limits shown on the Official Zoning Atlas.
      “City of Fanning Springs Official Zoning Atlas ZONING DISTRICTS”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Buildings in AG Agricultural.

    maximum lot coverage by all buildings: <= 20 percent

    “4.3.9 MAXIMUM LOT COVERAGE BY ALL BUILDINGS 20%”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures in AG Agricultural.

    • Section 4.14 exceptions may apply.

    maximum structure height: <= 40 feet (Section 4.14 exceptions)

    “MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF STRUCTURES: NO PORTION SHALL EXCEED: (See also Section 4.14 for exceptions) 40 feet”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational vehicles and park trailers placed in City flood hazard areas.

    • Temporary placement must be for fewer than 180 consecutive days, or the vehicle must be fully licensed and ready for highway use.
    • A recreational vehicle or park trailer not meeting the temporary-placement limitations must meet the manufactured-home requirements in Section 8.13.

    temporary placement: < 180 consecutive days (Alternative is fully licensed and ready for highway use.)

    “Recreational vehicles and park trailers placed temporarily in flood hazard areas shall: 1. Be on the site for fewer than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days; or 2. Be fully licensed and ready for highway use”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary mobile-home or travel-trailer residential use during active construction or development inside Fanning Springs city limits.

    • The use must be incident to construction or development of the premises.
    • The use is strictly limited to the time construction or development is actively underway.
    • It may not continue more than twelve months without City Council approval.
    • City Council approval requires a finding that actual construction has begun and is continuing.

    maximum duration without City Council approval: <= 12 months (City Council approval may extend the use if actual construction has begun and is continuing)

    “Such use shall be strictly limited to the time construction or development is actively underway. In no event shall the use continue more than twelve (12) months without the approval of the City Council and the City Council shall give such approval only upon finding that actual construction has begun and is continuing.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    New manufactured homes in floodways and manufactured homes installed in City flood hazard areas.

    • New manufactured homes are prohibited in floodways except in existing manufactured-home parks and subdivisions.
    • Installers must be licensed under section 320.8249, Florida Statutes, and installations must meet the cited Florida Administrative Code and Article 8 requirements.
    “New manufactured homes are not permitted in floodways except in existing manufactured home parks and subdivisions. All manufactured homes installed in flood hazard areas shall be installed by an installer that is licensed pursuant to Section 320.8249 Florida Statutes, as amended, and shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 15C-1, Florida Administrative Code and the requirements of this Article.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Subdivision lots inside Fanning Springs that cannot be served by extension of existing publicly owned sewer.

    • Alternate sewage disposal must comply with applicable County Health Department, state, regional, and federal standards.
    • Alternative disposal must be installed to simplify later connection when public sewer becomes available.
    “Where lots cannot be served by the extension of an existing public-owned sanitary sewer, an alternate method of sewage disposal for each lot may be used in compliance with all applicable standards of the County Health Department, the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation and any other regional, State or federal agency as applicable.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    All subdivisions of land located within Fanning Springs.

    • Final-plat approval by City Council and filing with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County are required before subdivision.
    • Nonconforming subdivision parcels or plats cannot receive a building permit.
    “These land development regulations shall apply to all subdivisions of land, as defined herein, located within the City. No land shall be subdivided within any area subject to these land development regulations until: 1. The subdivider or his agent has obtained approval of the final plat by the City Council; and 2. The approved final plat is filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision and subdivision by metes and bounds inside Fanning Springs city limits.
      “The subdivision of a lot or parcel of land, by the use of metes and bounds description for the purpose of sale, transfer, or lease, shall be subject to all of the requirements contained in these land development regulations.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in Fanning Springs flood hazard areas where a floodplain development permit or approval is required.

    • An application must be filed in writing on the community form and include the listed site, use, plan, valuation, signature, and other required information.
    • The permit is invalid if work has not commenced within 180 days or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days; written extensions of up to 180 days each require justifiable cause.
    • All applicable state or federal permits must be obtained before permitted development begins.

    permit commencement or suspension period: 180 days (Extensions no longer than 180 days each may be requested in writing with justifiable cause.)

    “To obtain a floodplain development permit or approval the applicant shall first file an application in writing on a form furnished by the community.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Zoning permits, sign permits, special exceptions, subdivision plat approval, zoning amendments, variances, and other administrative relief inside Fanning Springs city limits.

    • Fees are established by City Council resolution filed in the City Clerk’s office.
    • Fees are paid upon submission of a signed application or notice of appeal.
    • The building department page separately links a fee schedule, but the numeric schedule was not extracted here.
    “The amount of the fees charged shall be as established by resolution of the City Council filed in the office of the City Clerk.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applications inside Fanning Springs city limits.

    • Application requires two copies of plot and construction plans, a Florida-licensed surveyor or engineer survey, and property stakes in place at application.
    • Plans must conform to applicable land-development regulations before a permit is issued.

    plan copies: 2 copies (Plot and construction plans.)

    “Applications for building permits as required by the Building Code of the City shall be accompanied by two (2) copies of the plot and construction plans drawn to scale”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Building and development permitting inside Fanning Springs city limits.
      “For information regarding Building Permits please contact our Building Official.”

Rules another office applies inside Fanning Springs

Fanning Springs does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction inside Fanning Springs city is subject to the Florida Building Code as administered by the city building department.

    • The city’s building department issues permits and conducts inspections inside city limits.
    • Applicable code exceptions remain governed by the Florida Building Code and Florida law.
    “The Florida Building Code is adopted and updated triennially by the Florida Building Commission.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Conventional single-family dwellings in City RSF-1, RSF-1A, and RSF-2 districts.

    • RSF-2 is permitted only where community potable-water systems are available and accessible.

    RSF-1 minimum livable space: >= 1200 square feet · RSF-1A minimum livable space: >= 1500 square feet · RSF-2 minimum livable space: >= 720 square feet (Community potable water systems must be available and accessible.)

    “RSF-1: Minimum lot area 20,000 square feet Minimum lot width 100 feet Minimum livable space 1,200 square feet RSF-1A: Minimum lot area 20,000 square feet Minimum lot width 100 feet Minimum livable space 1,500 square feet RSF-2: Minimum lot area 10,000 square feet Minimum lot width 75 feet Minimum livable space 720 square feet”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Conventional single-family dwellings in City RSF-1, RSF-1A, and RSF-2 districts.

    • RSF-2 districts are permitted only where community potable-water systems are available and accessible.

    RSF-1 minimum lot area: >= 20000 square feet · RSF-1A minimum lot area: >= 20000 square feet · RSF-2 minimum lot area: >= 10000 square feet (Community potable water systems must be available and accessible.)

    “RSF-1: Minimum lot area 20,000 square feet Minimum lot width 100 feet Minimum livable space 1,200 square feet RSF-1A: Minimum lot area 20,000 square feet Minimum lot width 100 feet Minimum livable space 1,500 square feet RSF-2: Minimum lot area 10,000 square feet”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Conventional single-family dwellings in City RSF-1, RSF-1A, and RSF-2 districts.

    • Section 4.14 contains additional right-of-way setback requirements.
    • Wetland, creek, and stream protection requires a 50-foot natural buffer; Suwannee River protection requires a 75-foot natural buffer, subject to stated limitations.

    RSF-1 front setback: >= 30 feet · RSF-1 side setback: >= 15 feet (Each side yard.) · RSF-1 rear setback: >= 15 feet · RSF-2 front setback: >= 25 feet · RSF-2 side setback: >= 10 feet (Each side yard.) · RSF-2 rear setback: >= 15 feet

    “RSF-1: Front 30 feet Side 15 feet. for each side yard Rear 15 feet RSF-1A: Front 30 feet Side 15 feet for each side yard Rear 15 feet RSF-2: Front 25 feet Side 10 feet. for each side yard Rear 15 feet”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Onsite sewage systems on Fanning Springs parcels served by septic rather than accessible centralized sewer; the applicable local county health department depends on whether the parcel lies in the Gilchrist or Levy County portion of the City.

    • Gilchrist and Levy are not among the 16 counties listed as DEP-managed as of January 2, 2025.
    • DEP has been in charge of enforcing Florida laws and rules about OSTDS since July 1, 2021.
    “If you live outside these 16 counties, your local county health department will still handle septic system permitting and inspections.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • County (with conditions) — Onsite sewage systems on parcels inside Fanning Springs city limits in Gilchrist or Levy County.
      “If you live outside these 16 counties, contact your local county health department about septic system permitting and inspections.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Septic systems inside Fanning Springs that are outside the listed DEP-managed counties; administration is by the local county health department for the parcel.

    • County-health-department permitting applies outside the 16 DEP-managed counties listed by the state.
    • For industrial or manufacturing uses with onsite sewage, the City's special septic restrictions apply where centralized sewer is available within one-quarter mile or toxic, hazardous, or industrial waste is likely.

    centralized sewer availability threshold: <= 0.25 mile (Industrial or manufacturing-zoned/used area under City special septic requirements.)

    “If you live outside these 16 counties, your local county health department will still handle septic system permitting and inspections.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Onsite sewage system permitting for parcels inside Fanning Springs city limits in Gilchrist or Levy County.
      “The OSTDS program ensures that the OSTDS is properly designed, constructed, and maintained through permitting and inspection and contributes to safe ground water, which provides 90% of Florida’s drinking water.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Septic systems inside Fanning Springs that are outside the listed DEP-managed counties; inspection administration is by the local county health department for the parcel.

    • Owners or contractors with owner authorization may choose a private provider for OSTDS inspections as of July 1, 2022.
    • The local county health department continues to handle inspections outside the 16 DEP-managed counties.
    “As of July 1, 2022, owners or contractors with owner authorization, have the option to hire a private provider to perform inspections of OSTDS.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Onsite sewage systems on parcels inside Fanning Springs city limits in Gilchrist or Levy County.
      “If you live outside these 16 counties, contact your local county health department about septic system permitting and inspections.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Fanning Springs or Levy County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Fanning Springs city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Fanning Springs city limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Fanning Springs city limits.
  • Well permit — Private wells inside Fanning Springs city limits.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural construction or agricultural uses inside Fanning Springs city limits.
2 more unanswered
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Fanning Springs publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Levy County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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