FL H1561

Amends chapter 87-471, Laws of Florida, to modify and expand special alcoholic beverage license zones in Duval County by adding three new designated areas: the Dennis Street Commercial Corridor and North Florida Keys Corridor in Jacksonville, and a Downtown Incentive Zone in Jacksonville Beach

Retains nine existing special zones with detailed legal property descriptions, including Northside West, Northside East, Southbank, Riverside Avondale Urban Transition Area, Riverside Avondale Commercial Character Areas, Murray Hill Commercial Area, Springfield Commercial Area, San Marco Transportation Corridor, and Kings Avenue Commercial Corridor

Provides exceptions to standard space and seating requirements under s. 561.20(1), Florida Statutes, for alcoholic beverage licenses issued to qualifying restaurants and event centers within the designated zones

Establishes a larger restaurant license category for six zones (including Southbank, Riverside Avondale, Murray Hill, Springfield, and San Marco) requiring seating for 100+ patrons, at least 1,800 square feet of floor space, and no less than 51% of gross annual income from on-premises food sales

Establishes a smaller restaurant license category for Northside West, Northside East, Kings Avenue, and the newly added North Florida Keys Corridor, requiring capacity for 50+ persons, at least 1,000 square feet of service area, and at least 51% of gross revenue from food and nonalcoholic beverages

Creates a new event center license category exclusively for the Dennis Street Commercial Corridor, applicable to facilities with occupant capacity between 2,100 and 2,900 people, floor space between 22,000 and 35,000 square feet, and at least 51% of annual gross income from event tickets and food/nonalcoholic beverages

Defines "event center" as a facility routinely hosting ticketed events such as musical concerts and art shows, hosting events by nonprofit organizations, and not primarily marketing itself as a food service establishment

Creates the Jacksonville Beach Downtown Incentive Zone bounded by 3rd Street, the Atlantic Ocean, 6th Avenue North, and 2nd Avenue South, with qualifying restaurants needing capacity for 50+ persons, at least 1,200 square feet of service area, and at least 51% of revenue from food and nonalcoholic beverages

All special license holders remain subject to applicable local zoning regulations and state alcoholic beverage laws, and the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco retains authority to revoke or suspend licenses for violations

The act takes effect upon becoming law