B-5 Office Commercial District Regulations: Kissimmee, Florida
The B-5: Office Commercial District in the City of Kissimmee is established primarily to accommodate professional businesses and institutional entities while acting as a buffer between higher-intensity commercial zones and residential neighborhoods. Within this district, structures are generally limited to a maximum height of 35 feet and must not exceed an 80% impervious surface ratio. To maintain the district's character as an office transition zone, the direct sale or display of goods, the production of goods, and the storage or shipment of bulk materials are strictly prohibited [Section 14-4-4.L].
Purpose and Intent
The City of Kissimmee designated the B-5: Office Commercial District to provide a location for businesses that do not require high-intensity retail footprints. The municipality uses this district to ensure that appropriate safeguards and conditions are fulfilled for institutional uses, such as hospitals or schools, while ensuring they have adequate access to arterial or collector streets [Section 14-4-4.L].
Permitted and Conditional Uses
Uses in the B-5: Office Commercial District are categorized as either Permitted (P), which are allowed by right, or Conditional (C), which require a more intensive review process and approval by the City of Kissimmee. If a use is not listed in the schedule below, it is considered prohibited in the B-5 District [Section 14-4-5].
Allowed Commercial and Retail Uses
| Use Type | Status | Supplemental Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | Permitted | [Section 14-6-9] |
| Retail Sales Establishments | Permitted | N/A |
| Drive-through Facilities (with allowed use) | Permitted/Conditional | [Section 14-6-40]; Must be on 2+ acres |
| Microbreweries | Permitted | [Chapter 5-3] |
Allowed Institutional and Civic Uses
| Use Type | Status | Supplemental Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Churches | Permitted | N/A |
| Civic and Social Clubs | Permitted | N/A |
| Educational Service Establishments | Permitted | N/A |
| Libraries and Museums | Permitted | N/A |
| Hospitals | Conditional | N/A |
| Institutional Care Facilities | Conditional | [Section 14-3-37] (if applicable) |
| Schools (Elementary, Middle, High) | Conditional | N/A |
| Community Centers | Permitted | N/A |
Allowed Residential and Lodging Uses
| Use Type | Status | Supplemental Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels and Motels | Permitted | N/A |
| Bed and Breakfast Establishments | Conditional | [Section 14-6-36] |
| Duplex Dwellings | Permitted | [Section 14-6-43] |
| Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) | Permitted | [Section 14-6-2] |
| Community Residential Homes | Permitted | [Section 14-6-39] |
| Multiple Family Residential | Conditional | [Section 14-6-43] |
| Townhomes | Conditional | [Section 14-6-43] |
| Triplexes | Conditional | [Section 14-6-43] |
Allowed Service and Utility Uses
| Use Type | Status | Supplemental Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Office Establishments | Permitted | N/A |
| Financial Institutions | Permitted | N/A |
| Research & Development | Permitted | N/A |
| Service Establishment (Business/Personal) | Permitted | N/A |
| Veterinary Clinics | Permitted | N/A |
| Child Care Facilities | Permitted/Conditional | [Section 14-6-37]; 300ft from residential |
| Gasoline Service Stations | Conditional | [Section 14-5-8.A] |
| Communication Towers and Facilities | Conditional | [Section 14-6-38] |
| Minor Utility Facilities | Permitted | [Section 14-6-46] |
| Temporary Labor Service | Conditional | [Section 14-6-45] |
Prohibited Uses
The following activities and uses are strictly prohibited within the City of Kissimmee B-5 District to protect the transitional nature of the zone [Table 4-2]:
- Agricultural Uses: All agricultural production and animal husbandry.
- Industrial Uses: Manufacturing (light, medium, or heavy) and wholesale trade establishments.
- Retail/Service Subsets: Pawn shops, car washes (as a primary use), heavy equipment sales/leasing, and heavy motor vehicle repair.
- Storage and Logistics: Self-storage facilities, storage yards, and warehouses.
- Transportation/Utility: Major utility facilities, recycling collection centers, and taxi stations with vehicle storage.
- Recreation: Golf courses and shooting ranges.
Dimensional and Site Standards
The City of Kissimmee enforces specific site standards to ensure buildings in the B-5 District do not overwhelm neighboring residential areas.
| Standard | B-5 Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area (Single Family) | 6,000 sq. ft. |
| Minimum Lot Area (All Other Uses) | 20,000 sq. ft. |
| Minimum Lot Width | 150 feet |
| Minimum Lot Depth | 100 feet |
| Maximum Structure Height | 35 feet |
| Maximum Impervious Surface Area | 80% |
| Minimum Front Setback | 25 feet |
| Minimum Side Setback | 10 feet |
| Minimum Street Side Setback | 20 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 25 feet |
Parking Ratios
Automobile parking for the B-5 District is calculated based on the Gross Floor Area (GFA) or specific units [Section 14-7-22].
| Use Type | Minimum Required Parking |
|---|---|
| Office Building | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. GFA |
| Medical Office or Clinic | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA |
| Retail Stores | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA |
| Restaurant (indoor/outdoor) | 1 space per 80 sq. ft. GFA |
| Hotels/Motels | 1 space per room, plus accessory use adjustments |
| Multi-Family (2+ Bedrooms) | 2 spaces per unit, plus 0.5 per unit for guest parking |
Sections Cited
- Section 14-4-4: Standard zoning districts—Intent
- Section 14-4-5: Schedule of uses for standard zoning districts
- Section 14-4-6: Regulations for zoning districts (Table 4-5)
- Section 14-6-2: Accessory dwelling units
- Section 14-6-9: Outdoor dining
- Section 14-6-36: Bed and breakfast
- Section 14-6-37: Child care facilities
- Section 14-6-38: Communication towers and facilities
- Section 14-6-40: Drive-through facility
- Section 14-6-43: Residential development
- Section 14-7-22: Automobile parking ratios