What is a Certificate of Use?
A Certificate of Use, often referred to as a COU, is a Zoning certificate that confirms the space the business occupies complies with three items:
- Municipal Zoning ordinances
- Florida Building Code, and
- Florida Fire Prevention Code.
For more details on the Certificate of Use process, refer to the Building Inspections Division's webpage.
Zoning
Zoning approval is usually straight forward: Is the proposed use compatible with the Zoning of the property? Some common issues that can make Zoning approval more complicated include meeting the required parking for the proposed use, alcohol sales, or even outside dining. Be sure to disclose the full scope of your proposed use when discussing these items with the Zoning team. You do not want to find out a week before you hope to open that you need to rezone your property (a process that can take five months or more).
For more information regarding Zoning requirements, contact the Zoning team at: zoning@coj.net or 904-255-8300.
Here are instructions for submitting a COU application.
Updated 9/2026