Microbrewery and Taproom Zoning Regulations in the City of Kissimmee
The City of Kissimmee permits microbreweries by right in several commercial and mixed-use districts, including the B-2 Neighborhood Commercial, B-3 General Commercial, and B-5 Office Commercial districts, as well as the T5-M, T5-U, and T6 form-based zones. In more intensive areas like the HC Highway Commercial, BP Business Park, and IB Industrial Business districts, microbreweries are allowed subject to conditional use approval. While taprooms and micro-distilleries are not explicitly listed as separate categories, the City of Kissimmee Land Development Code authorizes the Director to determine the classification of unlisted uses based on their similarity to established uses like microbreweries or restaurants.
Authorized Zoning Districts for Microbreweries
In the City of Kissimmee, land uses are governed by standard district schedules and form-based code tables. Microbreweries are specifically categorized under "Miscellaneous Uses" in the standard districts and "Commercial/Retail Uses" within the form-based code area.
Standard Zoning Districts
The following table outlines the permissions for microbreweries across the standard non-residential districts within the City of Kissimmee:
| District Name | District Symbol | Permission Level |
|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood Commercial District | B-2 | Permitted (P) |
| General Commercial District | B-3 | Permitted (P) |
| Office Commercial District | B-5 | Permitted (P) |
| Highway Commercial District | HC | Conditional Use (C) |
| Business Park District | BP | Conditional Use (C) |
| Industrial Business District | IB | Conditional Use (C) |
| Airport Operations District | AO | Conditional Use (C) |
[Table 4-2]
Form-Based Code Transect Zones
For properties located within the City of Kissimmee form-based code areas (such as the Downtown or Vine Street CRAs), the following permissions apply:
| Transect Zone Name | Symbol | Permission Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed-Use Center | T5-M | Permitted (P) |
| Mixed-Use Urban Corridor | T5-U | Permitted (P) |
| Waterfront | T6 | Permitted (P) |
[Table 5-1]
Unlisted Uses: Taprooms and Micro-Distilleries
The City of Kissimmee Land Development Code provides a mechanism for uses that are not specifically named in the use tables. Whenever there is uncertainty regarding a specific use, such as a taproom or a micro-distillery, the Director of the Development Services Department determines the classification based on the characteristics of the use and its similarity to other listed uses [Section 14-4-5]. Typically, a taproom would be classified as part of a Microbrewery or a Restaurant, while a micro-distillery would likely follow the same logic or the standards set for "Industrial or Manufacturing" uses depending on the scale of production.
Technical Standards and Parking Ratios
Developments in the City of Kissimmee must comply with specific off-street parking requirements. While "Microbrewery" is not a unique line item in the parking schedule, the Director determines the requirement based on the most similar listed use. Common comparisons include "Restaurants" (for the taproom/service area) and "Industrial or Manufacturing" (for the production area).
| Use Category | Minimum Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| Restaurant (with indoor/outdoor seating) | 1 space per 80 sq. ft. GFA (minimum 8 spaces per takeout window) |
| Industrial or Manufacturing | 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA OR 2 spaces per 3 employees (whichever is greater) |
| Retail Stores | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA (plus 1 space for each 250 sq. ft. of outdoor display) |
[Section 14-7-22; Table 7-2]
Conditional Use Requirements
If a microbrewery is proposed in a district where it is listed as a "Conditional Use" (such as the HC, BP, or IB districts), the City of Kissimmee requires a formal review process. This includes a review by the Development Review Committee (DRC) and a public hearing before the Planning Advisory Board (PAB) to ensure the use does not adversely impact the public health, safety, or welfare of the surrounding neighborhood [Section 14-3-29].
Sections Cited
- Section 14-3-29, Conditional uses
- Section 14-4-5, Schedule of uses for standard zoning districts
- Table 4-2, Schedule of Uses for Non-Residential Standard Districts
- Table 5-1, Permitted Uses (Form-Based Code)
- Section 14-7-22, Automobile parking ratios
- Table 7-2, Minimum Parking Ratios