Frequently Asked Questions

Every property within the city limits has a zoning classification assigned to it. There are currently 19 different zoning classifications. After you have determined what your zoning classification is, Section 60.00 of the Land Development Regulations will tell you exactly what that zoning definition means.

Every property within the city limits has a future land use classification assigned to it. There are currently 14 different future land use classifications. After you have determined what you future land use classification is, Chapter 1 of the Comprehensive Plan will tell you exactly what that future land use definition means.

Depending on where the property is located and how many acres you have to develop will determine exactly what can be built. The best thing to do is to call or email the planning office to help make that determination.

Section 55.00 of the Land Development Regulations states the exact number of parking places required, depending on what type of structure will be built.

Section 35 of the Land Development Regulations states the exact process that needs to be followed to submit for rezoning. The rezoning application can be found under forms.

After determining your zoning classification, the Land Development Regulations, section 60 will state exactly what types of businesses are allowed, what businesses are prohibited, and which businesses are allowed by special exception.

The Planning Commission consists of nine members appointed by City Council to three-year terms.
The commission is tasked with matters relating to:

• Conducting public hearings
• Establishing principles, objectives, and policies for the planned use and development of land
• Investigating special studies
• Preparing and maintaining plans for the future development of the city
• Reviewing and making recommendations for special exceptions to the Board of Adjustment
• Reviewing and making recommendations for zoning district amendments, comprehensive plan amendments, and subdivision plans
• Reviewing grant proposals and submit written recommendations to the City Council
• Reviewing proposed land development ordinances and submit written recommendations to the City Council
• Submitting written recommendations to the City Council
• Zoning uses and development of land uses

Landscaping is required for all new development. Section 40.30 of the Land Development Regulations clearly depicts exactly what the landscape requirements are.

The department requires:

• Six sets of sealed site plans
• Two copies of concurrency evaluation
• Two sealed tree surveys
• Two sealed landscape plans
• Two copies of the erosion / sedimentation control permit application
• Two copies of the environmental assessment
• Copy of all recorded easements
• Two copies of the SJRWMD permit
• Two copies of sealed drainage calculations (100-year on-site)
• Two copies of the DEP permit
• Statement of cost
• Proposed use

A conceptual site plan must be submitted for preliminary review. This is a one time only free review. After a preliminary review comments have been given, the applicant may submit an official site plan.

Section 39.12 of the Land Development Regulations states the following: (a) Any owner, developer, or other party submitting to the city building department for review or approval a site plan of a commercial, multifamily, or townhouse development, other than a site plan of a subdivision (residential or commercial) or PUD development, shall pay the city at the time of submission of the site plan a non-refundable site plan review fee of one-half of the building permit fee for the development, or the sum of $1,500, whichever is the lesser amount.

There are two types of comprehensive plan amendments.
Small scale, which usually involves changes to the future land use map, is intended for 10 acres or less and costs $1,500. It typically takes 60 days for the small scale plan amendment to be completed.
Large-scale amendments usually involve text changes to the comprehensive plan or future land use map and are greater than 10 acres in size and cost $2,500. For the large scale comprehensive plan amendments, the process can take upwards of nine months to complete.

Water, sewer, schools, recreation, solid waster, and transportation (infrastructure items) all have established levels of service. The city monitors each item to ensure that when new projects are built, the established level of service is not exceeded. This may require a developer to make improvements to any or all the infrastructure items.