JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A proposed legislation to expand sidewalk dining downtown is advancing in the Jacksonville City Council.
According to our news partners at the Jacksonville Daily Record, the Council Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee voted 6-0 on Monday to recommend approval of Ordinance 2025-0772. The Council Rules Committee also voted 7-0 to recommend its approval.
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The ordinance, filed by Council member Raul Arias, would allow downtown restaurants and bars to serve patrons on sidewalks adjacent to their property, bound by an invisible line extending from the property side lot lines to the street and in the street. The ordinance would apply throughout the downtown zoning overlay, which extends from Brooklyn through the Working Waterfront district east of EverBank Stadium.
It’s all part of the city’s plan to make downtown more inviting and accessible.
“Over the past decade, Downtown Jacksonville has experienced steady growth and diversification, with new residential, retail, and entertainment developments spreading beyond the traditional core,” Arias wrote in a bill synopsis provided to the Daily Record.
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This ordinance sets clear rules for how businesses operate in the heart of Jacksonville, whether you’re grabbing a coffee, enjoying a cocktail, or dining outside.
These are some of the proposed changes:
- Alcohol can now be consumed in three key areas:
- Inside the business
- On a patio directly next to the building
- In a recreational area connected to the business — like a pool, golf zone, or similar space — as long as it meets city distance requirements
- Sidewalk cafes must be adjacent to the business and can expand seating into nearby sidewalks — but only with approval from the Downtown Investment Authority.
- Bars must serve drinks from inside the building and take steps to keep alcohol within the designated area
- This includes using barriers, staff supervision, or surveillance to prevent underage or public drinking
Restaurants must prepare food on-site, earn at least 51% of their revenue from food and nonalcoholic beverages, and follow cleanliness and maintenance codes.
These rules apply specifically to businesses in the Downtown Overlay Zone — including key redevelopment districts such as the Northbank, Southbank, Cathedral District, LaVilla and Sports & Entertainment District.
Arias said he also plans to introduce a bill to the city council before October 2026 that allows Downtown bars and restaurants to remain open until 3 a.m., an hour later than currently permitted. Arias said he hoped the bill would allow Downtown bars to be more competitive with those in other areas of Jacksonville.