A Jacksonville City Council proposal would establish zoning rules for community and market gardens, offering urban growers clearer direction on where they can operate and whether they can sell produce on site. Council members Raul Arias and Jimmy Peluso are expected to introduce Ordinance 2026-807 on Tuesday. The measure would define community and market gardens in the city’s zoning code, identify districts where each could be allowed and set standards for garden size, structures and sales. The push follows years of uncertainty for growers about how neighborhood-scale agriculture fits into Jacksonville’s existing rules. Nathan Ballentine, who operates Overalls Farms, said city staff had been unable to give him a clear answer about whether some activities were permitted. “Gardening is a small business,” Arias said. “They just can’t sell. And so this enables them to actually operate and sell.” Ballentine’s Springfield neighborhood farm is one of several urban plots in his operation. He said the farms together have the capacity to serve about 200 families, and that Jacksonville’s year-round growing season creates an opportunity to supply more food locally. The draft would limit market gardens to 12 public sales days annually. Ballentine and other advocates have raised concerns that the cap could also constrain workshops and neighborhood gatherings tied to the gardens. Arias said amendments may be considered as the proposal moves through the process, describing the initial approach as a way to see how the rules work before potentially expanding them. The effort grew out of work by the Duval Food Policy Council and an urban agriculture working group. Advocates had pushed for a formal ordinance, including through public comments to council, but had not previously had a measure to debate. After its expected introduction Tuesday, the proposal is scheduled to go to council committees for discussion and possible revisions. A full council vote could come later this fall. The ordinance has not yet been approved. Ballentine said a clear framework could make it easier for urban farms to operate and improve neighborhood access to fresh food. “I see neighborhoods with community access to fresh healthy food,” he said. “And I think that this bill is a step in that direction.”