New Building Permits Plummet to 2015 Levels — So Where’s the “Extraordinary Growth”?

For months now, the County has been pounding the table with its “extraordinary circumstances” memo — warning of explosive growth and unsustainable development. But the real numbers from the Northeast Florida Homebuilders Association tell a very different story.

The number of new building permits in Nassau County has dropped back to 2015–2016 levels. That’s a full rewind — ten years back in time.

What the Data Shows

Year	New Building Permits
2015	700
2016	930
2017	854
2018	827
2019	924
2020	1028
2021	1710
2022	1292
2023	1039
2024	883
2025*	655 (YTD)

Data Source: Northeast Florida Homebuilders Association (calendar year, not county fiscal year) 2025 to date: 655 permits issued — with two months still left in the year.

The Reality Check

If new development has slowed this dramatically — and population growth is steady but not “exploding” — then why is the County using “extraordinary growth” as the reason for new taxes, higher fees, and “crisis mode” planning?

As we pointed out in our recent piece — The Sky is Falling Again article — the County’s narrative just doesn’t add up. They’re citing “rapid expansion” and “infrastructure emergencies,” while actual permit data from the professionals who track it shows the opposite.

So, What’s Really Going On?

Either:
1. The County is using outdated or misleading numbers,
2. They’re reclassifying existing home improvements or replacements as new growth, or
3. There’s a disconnect between county reporting and state-recognized data from the building industry.

Whatever the reason, it’s time to demand clarity. Taxpayers deserve to know where these “doomsday” numbers are coming from.

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Reconsideration of the Westside Regional Park Investment

Petition to the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners

Subject: Reconsideration of the Westside Regional Park Investment

Dear Commissioners,

We, the undersigned residents of Nassau County, respectfully submit this petition regarding the allocation of public funds toward the development of the Westside Regional Park.

It would surprise many to learn that 82.7% of all Nassau County Ad Valorem taxes are paid by properties located east of Interstate 95. Yet, the County has programmed $22.86 million into the Westside Regional Park, located 20 miles west of Interstate 95 — a location largely inaccessible to the majority of residents who are funding it.

This project spans over 100 acres with an estimated construction cost of $21 million. Although the land was purchased in 2007 for $1.09 million, it has taken 17 years to bring forward a plan, raising additional concerns about the project's long-term viability and true priority.

Over 67% of Nassau County’s population lives in the easternmost zip codes of 32034 and 32097, areas where residents would have to travel up to 35 miles to access the park. Research shows that individuals living more than 10 miles away from a park are unlikely to use it regularly, if at all.

In short: the taxpayers bearing the largest burden for this project are the least likely to benefit from it.

Given these facts, we have serious concerns about whether the Westside Regional Park is the most responsible and equitable use of taxpayer dollars.

We respectfully request the following:

A full public reassessment of the Westside Regional Park's location, accessibility, and return on investment.
Consideration of alternative investments in parks and recreation facilities that are more geographically equitable and accessible to the majority of Nassau County taxpayers.
Greater transparency and opportunity for public input regarding major capital projects moving forward.

We urge you to pause further expenditures on this project until a thorough and transparent review is conducted.

It is time for Nassau County to ensure that public funds are invested fairly, wisely, and in ways that serve the entire community — not just a select portion of it.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

We look forward to your leadership and stewardship of our county’s future.

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