Jacksonville Beach, FL Special Events & Permits: Outdoor Heater Rules (2026)

Section 10-4.01(d) is the Jacksonville Beach provision that names patio heaters. It sits in Article IV, Open Burning, of Chapter 10, Fire and Life Safety, and it lists patio heaters next to cooking fires in approved containers, ornamental fireplaces, chimeneas, and charcoal, gas, or electric barbecue grills. All of them are allowed at one- and two-family dwellings, on four conditions that the code prints: use in accordance with the device's listing, use in accordance with applicable codes, use of the recommended fuel, and use following the manufacturer's instructions.

Two further limits close the subsection. The devices are not to be used around combustible material, and they are not to create a nuisance or other type of hazard. That wording puts the burden on the user to keep the heater clear of anything that burns and to stop if it bothers neighbors or creates danger.

The permission is tied to the type of building. For anything other than a one- or two-family dwelling, subsection (c) prohibits hibachi grills or similar devices used for cooking, heating, or other purpose on any balcony, under any overhang portion of a structure, or within ten (10) feet of any structure. Listed electric, LP gas or natural gas equipment is permitted there only if permanently installed in accordance with its listing, applicable codes and manufacturer instructions, with LP or natural gas piped in to the appliance and approved by the fire official.

The beach is closed to heating devices altogether. Subsection (g) states that there are no open fires, campfires, grills, or other cooking or heating devices on the beach. The code excerpt here does not contain a separate rule for heaters at festivals, and Chapter 19.5 sets only a policy framework: the city maintains a special event policy for events on city property, adopted by the city council.