Committees Back Downtown Sidewalk Dining Expansion Ahead of Full Council Vote

Overview

• Two Jacksonville City Council committees voted 6-0 and 7-0 to recommend Ordinance 2025-0772, with a full council vote expected next Wednesday and implementation upon the mayor’s signature.
• The proposal would let restaurants and bars serve patrons on sidewalks within their frontage, with any sidewalk or limited street encroachments requiring Downtown Investment Authority approval.
• Rules would apply across the Downtown Overlay from Brooklyn to the Working Waterfront, including the Northbank, Southbank, Cathedral District, LaVilla, and the Sports & Entertainment District.
• Alcohol consumption would be limited to inside the business, an adjacent patio, or a connected recreational area meeting city distance requirements, with bars serving from indoors and using barriers, staff or surveillance to keep drinking contained.
• Restaurants would need to prepare food on-site and earn at least 51% of revenue from food and nonalcoholic beverages, and Council member Raul Arias plans a separate bill next year that could extend closing time to as late as 4 a.m., with 3 a.m. discussed as a compromise.