Original application for permit should be completed at the Office of the Tax Collector, 321 Forsyth Street, Room 130, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.

Renewal of permits should be completed at the Office of the Tax Collector, or vendor may request renewal by mail. Mail renewal; must be in writing to the Tax Collector and must meet renewal time frames.

Vendors have five (5) working days in which to renew an expired permit. If not renewed at the time, the area may be assigned to another vendor.

The following are basic rules and regulations governing downtown sidewalk vendors:

1.  Vending must be in accordance with Chapter 250, City Ordinance Code and City and State health codes.

2.  Vending may be done only on sites listed and in the downtown area zoned CCBD. This includes the area bounded on the south by the St. Jones River, on the east by Catherine Street, on the north by Duval Street and on the west by Newnan Street. Together with the area on the southbank of the St. Johns River, north of Prudential Drive and south of the river.

3.  For vending at Metropolitan Park, call (904) 630-0837.

4.  For vending at City of Jacksonville Special Events, call the Office of Special Events (904) 630-3690.

5.  General liability insurance is required before you may vend. Insurance must be $1,000,000.00 general liability, with City of Jacksonville/Downtown Development Authority as additional name co-insured.

6.  All vendor permits will be effective on the first day of each month.

7.  Vending permits must be visibly displayed at all times.

8.  Vendor's permits can be preempted by city -sponsored or cosponsored events in your area.

9.  Vending units must be self-contained, portable, and no larger than four feet wide by six and one-half feet high by six feet long.

10.  Vending units may occupy a maximum of 60 square feet of space.

11.  Each vending unit may have no more than two (2) ice chests, coolers or other accessory containers. These containers must be placed on or immediately next to the vending unit and not in the way of pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Any cooking, heating or warming unit must be an integral part of the vending unit.

12.  A business may operate a total of two (2) downtown sidewalk vending units, operated at separate locations. A permit must be obtained for each unit.

13.  Vendor sites must meet the following location criteria:

• Sidewalk must be a minimum eleven (11) feet wide
• Vending unit must be ten (10) feet from driveways
• Vending unit must be fifty (50) feet from other vending units
• Vending unit must be fifteen (15) feet from building exits
• View of traffic or signage must not be blocked
• Maximum sixty (60) square feet of space can be occupied by vending units
• Vending unit must be minimum one hundreds (100) feet from establishment if vending looks good
• Vending unit must be twenty (20) feet from bus stop
• Vending unit must be one hundred (100) feet from major arterial intersection (e.g. Bay and Main, Broad and Water Streets)
• Vending unit must not locate in front of parking space so you do not block vehicle bumper or door swing

14.  One operator may operate a maximum of one cart per location.

15.  Absolutely no moving from assigned area.

16.  Vending units must be removed each night.

17.  Vendors must keep immediate area neat and clean at all times.

18.  Vendors cannot connect to any adjoining building or other structure.

19.  Vendors cannot receive electricity or water from adjoining buildings by means of wire hoses or other connections.

20.  The term vendor applies not only to the person that secures the permit, but also to anyone he/she has working with or for them while they are on duty.

21.  Vendor's permit may be either temporarily suspended or permanently revoked if the vendor is deemed negligent of any of the above rules and regulations, or if the vendor is observed under the influence, is abusive or rude to citizens, uncooperative to city personnel, and/or creates a disturbance or conduct which would embarrass the city.

City of Jacksonville Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
City Hall Annex
220 East Bay Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
(904) 630-1858