Required Documents

Homestead Exemption

General Requirements for Homestead Exemption

Homestead Exemptions are subject to the following requirements:

(1) A maximum of two 2.5-acre lots per homestead exemption may be subdivided and/or developed per year.

(2) Permits in the Rural Residential and Agriculture/Residential land use designations which are allowed as a result of the policy shall be included in the countywide cap of two hundred fifty (250) single-family permits for Agriculture/Residential areas.

(3) Lot width and depth, setbacks, and uses will be governed by the zoning for the property.

(4) Permits in the Agriculture land use designations which are allowed as result of the policy shall be included as part of the countywide cap of fifty (50) single-family permits in the Agriculture areas.

Application Filing Procedures:
Step 1.  Do I qualify for a Homestead Exemption?

Step 2. Creating the Homestead Lot
If you qualify for the Homestead Exemption and meet the minimum requirements, you will need to create the proposed lot. This is done independent of Clay County and can be done by the Grantor of the property or ones attorney. You will need to do the following:

• Have the proposed Homestead lot surveyed and create a legal description. This will be done by a State of Florida Registered Professional Land Surveyor and at the expense of the applicant. The lot will need to meet the minimum standards as outlined within the current zoning district, i.e. lot width, length, area, etc.
• Create or have your legal counsel create a non-executed proposed deed for the new Homestead lot.
• Ensure that the lot will have legal access to a public or privately maintained road. If the new lot does not front an existing road, a easement for ingress and egress will need to be provided having a minimum width of 30’ and should be noted in the deed and survey.
• Record the new deed with the Clay County Clerk of the Circuit Courts Office located at:
  825 North Orange Avenue
  Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
• Get a new parcel identification number from the Clay County Property Appraisers Office located at:
  477 Houston Street 2nd Floor
  Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

You will need to contact the appraiser’s office to obtain what information will be required in order to obtain a new number.

It is imperative that you contact the Clay County Planning and Zoning Division before you divide the property to ensure that the proposed lot will be compliant with County Regulations.

Clay County is not liable for lots created in error due to not being compliant with the Land Development Regulations.

Step 3. Applying for the Homestead Exemption

Once your Homestead lot has been created, you will then need to apply for the Homestead Exemption with Clay County. The application may be obtained at:

Clay County Planning and Zoning Division
477 Houston Street 3rd Floor
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Or download the Homestead Application above.

If you prefer, contact the Planning and Zoning Division office at (904) 278-4705 and arrangements can be made to mail or fax the application to you.

The application will consist of two items, the application and the Grantors property ownership affidavit.

Application: This will include applicant contact information, parent parcel information, years of property ownership, years of homestead proposed size of the new lot, existing and new lot parcel identification numbers, etc. Item III is an acknowledgement that the applicant will be in compliance with the Land Development Regulations.

Property Ownership Affidavit: This is an affidavit from the Grantor that acknowledges they own the parent parcel of land.

Step 4. Filing the Application
Once you have filled out the application you are now ready to file the application with Clay County. Applications are to be filed at:

Clay County Planning and Zoning Division
477 Houston Street 3rd Floor
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

You may also email or mail in the application. The application will not be processed without payment. If you choose to email, or mail the application payment may be mailed to P.O. Box 1366, Green Cove Springs, FL, 32043, or couriered to the 477 Houston Street address. Please indicate on the check what application the check is for and please do not send cash.

You will need the following items:

Required Documents

The Planning and Zoning Staff will accept the application and place it under consideration. A minimum of three (3) days is required for review to ensure consistency with the Clay County Land Development Regulations. When complete, the Planning and Zoning Division will contact the applicant and let them know if the application has been approved.

If you have any questions regarding the Homestead Exemption please contact the Clay County Planning and Zoning Division at (904) 278-4705.