How Jacksonville Handles Single-Use Items: A Practical Guide

If you live in Jacksonville or are thinking about moving there, single-use items are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Jacksonville has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of single-use items, and some of them might surprise you.

Plastic Straw Rules

Florida Statute 500.90(4) and 2019 HB 771 preempt city plastic-straw bans, suspending enforcement of any local ordinance through July 1, 2030. Jacksonville offers straws by default at restaurants; only voluntary upon-request programs operate citywide.

Key details: Statute: FL §500.90(4). Bill: FL HB 771 (2019). Moratorium: Through 2030. City ban: None. Upon request: Voluntary only.

Local enforcement of any plastic-straw restriction is suspended until July 1, 2030. Cities risk attorney-fee awards if they attempt enforcement. Restaurants and consumers face no Jacksonville fines for distributing or using plastic straws.

The rules around plastic straw rules in Jacksonville lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Plastic Bag Rules

Jacksonville cannot enforce a plastic bag ban or fee. Fla. Stat. § 403.7033 preempts any 'local government, local governmental agency, or state governmental agency' from enacting any rule, regulation, or ordinance regarding 'use, disposition, sale, prohibition, restriction, or tax' of auxiliary containers, wrappings, or disposable plastic bags. The preemption remains in effect statewide.

Key details: Local Ordinance: None — Florida preempts. Preemption Statute: Fla. Stat. § 403.7033. Year Enacted: 2008 (ch. 2008-227); reaffirmed 2021 (ch. 2021-125). Scope: Auxiliary containers, wrappings, disposable plastic bags. Litter Enforcement: Fla. Stat. § 403.413 (Florida Litter Law).

Jacksonville cannot cite retailers or shoppers for distributing single-use plastic bags. Bag-related litter is enforceable through the City of Jacksonville Ordinance Code Chapter 380 (litter and illegal dumping) and Fla. Stat. § 403.413, the Florida Litter Law, both of which apply to all litter and are not bag-specific.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Jacksonville gives residents more flexibility on plastic bag rules.

Polystyrene Foam Rules

Florida Statute 500.90 and 403.7033 preempt local regulation of polystyrene foam containers. Jacksonville may not ban Styrofoam takeout boxes, cups, or coolers. Restaurants remain free to use foam packaging, though many switch voluntarily to fiber alternatives.

Key details: Statute: FL §500.90. Also: FL §403.7033. Local foam ban: Preempted. Coral Gables: Ban struck 2018. City rule: None.

Cities adopting polystyrene bans face injunction, declaratory judgments, and statutory attorney-fee awards. Restaurants and consumers using foam containers in Jacksonville face no city fines, citations, or licensing penalties.

Jacksonville is more permissive than most cities when it comes to polystyrene foam rules. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Jacksonville gives residents more room on single-use items. 3 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Jacksonville's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.