The Jacksonville City Council approved Ordinance 2025-74-E, which updates the Zoning Code to revise regulations for drive-in and drive-through facilities in the Downtown Overlay Zone. Under the amendment, these facilities are now allowed by exception in five downtown districts—Brooklyn, Northcore, Central Core, Sports & Entertainment, and Working Waterfront—if specific design conditions are met. The facilities must either be fully enclosed in a parking structure or accessed from an improved non-surface vehicle use area, and all queuing must be contained on site. This ordinance modernizes the zoning code to support limited drive-through development in the urban core while preserving the city’s emphasis on pedestrian-oriented design and minimizing surface parking.
This zoning update introduces flexibility for modern commercial operations in Jacksonville's downtown without compromising design standards. It supports mixed-use development, expands retail options, and balances accessibility with urban form.