Jacksonville Beach, FL Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Sec. 28-12 regulates sidewalk dining by qualified restaurants on public sidewalks within the Downtown Incentive Zone. Permits are non-transferable, and a permit expires on the earlier of a transfer of ownership, a change in use of the establishment, or the end of its year.

The application goes to the planning and development department on a form prescribed by the city manager's office. It must attach a copy of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation restaurant food service permit, a copy of a Florida alcoholic beverage license if the applicant intends to serve alcohol in the area, a copy of the city's local business tax receipt, an executed indemnification agreement, proof of insurance, a layout of the sidewalk and proposed dining area, and photographs, drawings, or brochures of the furniture. The city manager or designee can approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application. A separate revocable encroachment permit comes from the public works department, supported by a survey of the right-of-way and a copy of the approved sidewalk dining permit. The city council sets the permit fee.

Renewal must be filed before January 1 of each calendar year. A permit not renewed by January 1 is void, all tables, seating, and other items must be removed, and a later application is treated as a new permit.

The layout rules are specific. The permittee can use the width of the sidewalk adjacent to the restaurant, less a pathway equal to the average of the entire block's pathway width, compliant with ADA requirements, kept open for pedestrians at all times. Nothing can be placed within five (5) feet of a fire hydrant, pedestrian crosswalk, or curb cut. The area must be surrounded on three (3) sides by connected rigid rails and posts, not attached to the sidewalk, with a divider not less than forty-two (42) inches high. Folding tables and seating and wooden picnic tables are prohibited. Operators clean the area daily, including pressure cleaning, and cannot dispose of refuse in the city's sidewalk trash receptacles.

Insurance of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) per occurrence is required. Sec. 28-12 expires on December 16, 2029 unless the city council extends it or repeals that paragraph.