Jacksonville, FL Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Downtown Design Guide (2026)
Key Facts
- Guidelines set by
- Downtown Investment Authority (DIA)
- Design review by
- Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB)
- Applies in
- Downtown Overlay Zone only
- Key ordinance
- Ord. 2019-196-E
- DDRB power
- Approve, condition, or deny
Summary
Downtown development projects in Jacksonville's Downtown Overlay Zone must follow the Downtown Design Guidelines, adopted by the Downtown Investment Authority and enforced by the Downtown Development Review Board alongside Chapter 656's Form Regulations.
The previously adopted Downtown Design Guidelines (Guidelines) are hereby superseded and amended pursuant to Ordinance 2019-196-E to the extent the same conflict with any provisions in this Subpart H... Although not codified within Chapter 656, the Guidelines are nonetheless intended to be followed by the designer because they are clarifications of the Form Regulations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Ordinance Code § 656.361.1 (Subpart H) creates the Downtown Overlay Zone and ties it to the Downtown Design Guidelines. The Guidelines aren't printed word-for-word in Chapter 656, but the Code says designers must follow them because they clarify the codified Form Regulations governing building form, massing, and street-level design. Section 55.110 puts the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) in charge of writing and updating the Guidelines, while the Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) applies them project-by-project and can approve, approve with conditions, or deny development, exception, and deviation applications for property inside the Overlay (LaVilla, Brooklyn, Northbank, Southbank, and the other Downtown districts coextensive with DIA's jurisdiction under § 55.105).
Violations & Fines
A downtown project can't get DDRB conceptual/final design approval without meeting the Form Regulations and Guidelines; DDRB may deny or condition the application, which blocks the building permit until the design is revised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Downtown Design Guidelines actual binding law?
Who reviews downtown building designs in Jacksonville?
Where does the Downtown Overlay Zone apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jacksonville
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Jacksonville to another location·View the Florida zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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