Allowed and Prohibited Uses in Orlando's R-2A: Residential District

The R-2A: Residential District in the City of Orlando is designed to support neighborhoods composed of single-family homes, duplexes, and tandem dwellings with a maximum density of 12 units per acre. While residential uses of up to two units per building site are permitted by right or through appearance review, nearly all commercial, industrial, and high-intensity institutional uses are strictly prohibited to preserve the residential character of these Orlando communities.

Purpose and Intent of the R-2A District

The R-2A: Residential District is intended to conserve the general character of established neighborhoods in Orlando that have developed over time as a mixture of single-family homes, duplexes, and houses with garage apartments or accessory apartments. New development within the City of Orlando R-2A district is encouraged to maintain the prevailing bulk, height, and setbacks of the surrounding neighborhood [Section 58.231].

Allowed Residential Uses

Residential permissions within the R-2A: Residential District are generally limited to low-density configurations. The City of Orlando requires an Appearance Review (PA) for certain building types to ensure compatibility with the existing neighborhood fabric [Figure 2].

• Single-Family Detached Dwellings: Permitted by right (P).
• Duplex or Tandem Dwellings: Permitted subject to Appearance Review (PA).
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Permitted (P), provided they are smaller than the principal structure and meet specific lot size and design criteria [Section 58.501].
• Transient Care Facilities (Type A): Permitted (P).
• Residential Care Facilities (Type A): Conditionally Permitted (C), requiring a specialized review process.

Allowed Non-Residential and Public Uses

The City of Orlando allows a very limited number of non-residential uses within the R-2A: Residential District, most of which require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) [Figure 2]:

• Conservation Uses: Permitted by right (P).
• Golf Courses: Conditionally Permitted (C).
• Child Adult Day Care (6–30 persons): Conditionally Permitted (C).
• Mobile Vending associated with Public Benefit: Allowed only as an accessory to a public benefit use or construction site [Section 58.721].

Prohibited Uses

Any use not explicitly listed as permitted or conditional in the City of Orlando’s official use table is prohibited. Within the R-2A: Residential District, the following uses are specifically excluded:

• Townhomes: Prohibited (this use begins at the R-2B district level).
• Multi-Family Apartments: Prohibited (defined as 3 or more units).
• Commercial Businesses: Prohibited, including retail, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants.
• Industrial/Manufacturing: Prohibited.
• Kennels: Prohibited in all residential districts [Section 58.895].
• Automotive Services: Prohibited.

R-2A Technical Development Standards

Development in the R-2A: Residential District must adhere to the following dimensions to ensure the maintenance of neighborhood density and scale [Figure 1A.LDC]:

Standard	Single-Family	Duplex / Tandem
Max. Gross Residential Density	12 du/ac	12 du/ac
Max. Floor Area Ratio (FAR)	0.50	0.50
Min. Lot Area	4,400 sq. ft.	5,500 sq. ft.
Min. Mean Lot Width	40 ft.	50 ft.
Min. Mean Lot Depth	110 ft.	110 ft.
Min. Building Site Frontage	25 ft.	25 ft.
Max. Dwelling Units per Site	1 du	2 du
Max. Impervious Surface Ratio	0.55	0.55
Max. Height (Inside Trad. City)	30 ft.	30 ft.

Principal Building Setbacks for R-2A

Setback Location	Minimum Requirement
Front Yard	25 ft.
Side Yard	5 ft.
Street Side Yard	15 ft.
Rear Yard	25 ft.

Sections Cited

• Section 58.231 - Purpose of the Districts (Residential)
• Figure 1A.LDC - Table of Zoning District Regulations
• Figure 2 - Table of Allowable Uses in Zoning Districts
• Section 58.501 - Design Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units
• Section 58.721 - Temporary Mobile Vending
• Section 58.895 - Regulation of Kennels