COU - Certificate of Use
What is a COU?
A Certificate of Use authorizes that a space can be used for a specific purpose. It is issued by the Zoning Department of the City of Jacksonville if approved by both the COJ Building Inspection Department and the Fire Marshal.
Initial denial of your COU application is customary.
A COU will not be awarded until it is first determined that your space is "up to Code" and is appropriate for your intended use.
Certificate of Occupancy
A COU or Certificate of Use will not be issued until you first get a Certificate of Occupancy.
"FINAL"
A Certificate of Occupancy can not be issued without passing the FINAL inspection and all preliminary inspections as required by your Building Permit.
Building Permit
To apply for a building permit your will need to hire an Architect to determine what changes if any are needed to be made to meet the requirements of the local ordinances, the Florida Building Code, ADA (Florida & Federal), the Fire Code, etc, etc, etc. You will also need to hire a properly licensed General Contractor to sign and submit the building permit application along with Architectural drawings, plus all other supporting documents.
Wow! All the above just to get a COU?
Yep!
Plus, the cost of all the Tenant Build Out improvements that will be required $ $ $ $ $