Jacksonville, FL Invasive Plant Rules: Front Yard Gardens (2026)

Jacksonville permits front yard vegetable gardens on residential properties. Florida Senate Bill 82 (effective July 1, 2019), codified as Florida Statute §604.71(3), explicitly prohibits any county, municipality, or other political subdivision from regulating vegetable gardens on residential properties. This law was passed after a high-profile case in Miami Shores where a homeowner was fined for a front yard vegetable garden. While vegetable gardens are protected, state and local fertilizer ordinances still apply—Jacksonville and Duval County have fertilizer blackout periods (typically June 1 through September 30) when nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers cannot be applied to reduce nutrient pollution to the St. Johns River. Irrigation restrictions may also apply during drought conditions. The gardens must be maintained to avoid property maintenance code violations under Chapter 518. HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic standards but cannot ban vegetable gardens. Raised beds, container gardens, and in-ground plantings are all permitted. The University of Florida IFAS Extension provides region-specific gardening guidance for Northeast Florida.