T1: Natural Zoning District in Kissimmee
The T1: Natural zoning district in Kissimmee serves as a conservation-focused zone intended to preserve the city’s native habitats, wetlands, and open spaces. Development within the T1: Natural district is strictly limited to infrastructure that facilitates recreational access, such as nature trails and boardwalks, and buildings are restricted to a maximum height of one story.
Purpose and General Character
The T1: Natural district is a component of the Kissimmee form-based code, representing the most rural end of the urban-to-rural continuum [Section 14-5-2]. The primary purpose of this district is to protect property that consists mainly of open space and native environments to ensure the preservation of their natural character [Section 14-5-4.A].
The general character of the Kissimmee T1: Natural district is defined by its lack of intensive development. It is categorized as an "un-developed" area where any permitted interventions are intended to allow public access for recreational purposes without compromising the ecological integrity of the site. Typical features include limited boardwalks, nature trails, and trailheads [Section 14-5-4.A].
Permitted Land Uses
Land use permissions in the T1: Natural district are the most restrictive within the City of Kissimmee. Residential, commercial, and industrial uses are entirely prohibited to maintain the area's natural state [Table 5-1].
According to the Kissimmee Land Development Code, the following uses are permitted:
- Passive Recreation Areas: These are permitted by right [Table 5-1].
- Parks: Defined as natural preserves for unstructured recreation, which may include meadows, waterbodies, and woodland [Table 5-4, Section 14-5-10.B.1].
- Playgrounds: These may be included within the T1: Natural zone and may be equipped with open shelters for children’s recreation [Table 5-4, Section 14-5-10.B.5].
All other standard urban uses, including restaurants, retail establishments, and any form of residential dwelling (single-family, multi-family, or accessory units), are designated as "Not Permitted" in the T1: Natural zone [Table 5-1].
Site and Dimensional Standards
The City of Kissimmee enforces specific dimensional requirements to ensure that any minimal structures placed within the T1: Natural district do not encroach significantly upon the landscape.
| Standard Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front and Street Side Setback | 20 feet minimum |
| Side Setback | 30 feet minimum |
| Rear Setback | 30 feet minimum |
| Maximum Building Height | 1 story |
| Maximum Block Perimeter | n/a |
| Allowed Frontage Types | n/a |
[Source: Table 5-2]
Unlike urban transect zones, the T1: Natural district has no requirements for frontage buildout, lot width, or lot depth, as these properties are generally intended to remain as large, undivided natural tracts [Table 5-2].
Sections Cited
- Section 14-5-2: Regulating plan
- Section 14-5-4: Transect zones established
- Section 14-5-10: Civic open space requirements
- Table 5-1: Permitted Uses
- Table 5-2: Transect Zone Dimensional Standards
- Table 5-4: Civic Open Spaces