Balloon releases are now banned in Jacksonville

Releasing balloons into the skies of Duval County is now against the law. Councilman Rory Diamond’s ban cleared the Jacksonville City Council this week — it classifies airborne balloons as litter and sets a $50 fine for releasing them.

There are currently similar bans in other cities and counties on the First Coast like Atlantic, Neptune, and Fernandina Beach. Also, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, the Town of Marineland, St. Johns County and Flagler Beach.