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Allowed and Prohibited Uses in the O-1 Office and Residential District of Orlando

Jurisdiction: OrlandoCode Version: April 2025

The O-1 Office and Residential District in the City of Orlando is designed to provide a flexible environment for low-intensity professional office developments and residential housing. Within the City of Orlando, this district is specifically intended to serve as a transition zone between high-intensity activity centers and residential neighborhoods, permitting a mix of single-family, multi-family, and medical or dental office uses while prohibiting most retail and industrial activities.

Development Standards for the O-1 District

Development within the O-1 Office and Residential District must adhere to the following technical specifications established by the City of Orlando [Section 58.281].

Standard O-1 District Requirement
Gross Residential Density Min: 12 du/ac; Max: 30 du/ac
Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) 0.50 (Residential); 0.40 (Non-Residential)
Minimum Lot Area 4,500 sq. ft.
Minimum Mean Lot Width 45 ft.
Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) 0.70
Front Yard Setback (Minimum) 25 ft.
Side Yard Setback (Minimum) 5 ft.
Street Side Yard Setback (Minimum) 15 ft.
Rear Yard Setback (Minimum) 25 ft.
Max Building Height (Traditional City) 35 ft.
Max Building Height (Outside Traditional City) 35 ft.
Max Building Height (Conditional) 100 ft.

Source: [Figure 1B.LDC]

Allowed Residential Uses

The City of Orlando permits a variety of housing types within the O-1 Office and Residential District to ensure a diverse residential environment.

Permitted by Right (P) or with Appearance Review (PA)

  • Single-Family Dwellings: Permitted by right [Figure 2, Page 33].
  • Multi-Family Dwellings: Permitted by right [Figure 2, Page 33].
  • Townhomes: Permitted subject to Appearance Review [Figure 2, Page 33].
  • Duplex or Tandem Dwellings: Permitted subject to Appearance Review [Figure 2, Page 33].
  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Permitted subject to Appearance Review and specific design standards [Section 58.500].
  • Residential Care Facilities (Type A): Permitted by right [Figure 2, Page 34].
  • Intensive Care Facilities (Types A, B, and C): Permitted by right [Figure 2, Page 34].

Conditional (C) or Special Case (LC)

  • Group Housing (Types A and B): Allowed as a Conditional Use [Figure 2, Page 34].
  • Group Housing (Type C): Only allowed for designated historic landmarks [Figure 2, Page 34].
  • Bed and Breakfast Facilities: Allowed as an accessory use in the O-1 District only after review and approval as a Conditional Use [Section 58.919].

Allowed Non-Residential Uses

The O-1 Office and Residential District focuses on professional services that generate lower traffic volumes than standard retail districts.

Permitted by Right (P) or with Appearance Review (PA)

  • Professional Offices: General offices, medical offices, and dental laboratories are permitted by right [Figure 2, Page 36].
  • Child and Adult Day Care: Facilities for 6 to 30+ persons are permitted subject to Appearance Review [Figure 2, Page 35].
  • Conservation Uses: Permitted by right [Figure 2, Page 35].

Conditional (C) or Special Case (CA/LC)

  • Communication Towers: Allowed subject to Conditional Use and Appearance Review [Figure 2, Page 35].
  • Golf Courses: Allowed as a Conditional Use [Figure 2, Page 35].
  • Hospitals and Clinics: Allowed as a Conditional Use [Figure 2, Page 35].
  • Parking (Principal Use): Allowed as a Conditional Use [Figure 2, Page 36].
  • Commercial Dwelling Units: Allowed as a Conditional Use, but only for properties located outside of the Traditional City [Figure 2, Page 35].
  • Home Occupations: Allowed as an accessory use within residential units, provided they occupy no more than 25% of a floor area or 500 square feet [Section 58.938].

Prohibited Uses

To maintain the low-intensity character of the O-1 Office and Residential District, the City of Orlando prohibits the following uses [Figure 2]:

  • Retail Activities: Light retailing, intensive retailing, and neighborhood convenience stores.
  • Industrial/Wholesale: Manufacturing, warehousing, and wholesale showrooms.
  • Automotive: Auto service stations, major vehicle repairs, and car washes.
  • Entertainment: Adult entertainment facilities, nightclubs, and bars (unless the bar is a landmark).
  • General Services: Personal services, temporary labor agencies, and mobile vending.
  • Specialty: Junk yards, indoor shooting ranges, and vertiports.

Sections Cited

  • Section 58.210 - Establishment of Zoning Districts
  • Section 58.280 - Relationship to the Growth Management Plan
  • Section 58.281 - Purpose of Activity Center Districts (Office/Residential)
  • Section 58.500 - Purpose of Accessory Dwelling Unit Requirements
  • Section 58.919 - Procedural Requirements for Bed and Breakfast
  • Section 58.937 - Home Occupations General Requirements
  • Section 58.938 - Performance and Design Requirements (Home Occupations)
  • Figure 1B.LDC - Table of Zoning District Regulations
  • Figure 2 - Table of Allowable Uses in Zoning Districts

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