Drive-Through Facility Regulations in the City of Orlando
The City of Orlando permits drive-through facilities in the MU-1, MU-2, AC-N, AC-1, AC-2, AC-3, and I-C zoning districts, while the AC-3A/T district requires a Conditional Use Permit. All drive-through businesses in the City of Orlando must adhere to specific "waiting area" or stacking requirements and are subject to strict operational conditions if located within 300 feet of a residential district.
Permitted and Conditional Zoning Districts
In the City of Orlando, drive-through facilities are categorized based on the underlying zoning district. While many commercial and industrial zones allow them by right, the City of Orlando Land Development Code applies additional layers of review for high-intensity areas and special plan overlays.
- Permitted Districts: MU-1, MU-2, AC-N, AC-1, AC-2, AC-3, and I-C [Section 58.740].
- Conditional Use Districts: AC-3A/T (Downtown Metropolitan Activity Core District) [Section 58.740].
- Prohibited Uses: Drive-through facilities are strictly prohibited for Medical Marijuana Dispensaries [Section 58.875] and for Neighborhood Convenience Stores located in residential or low-intensity office districts [Section 62.606].
Any drive-through facility in the City of Orlando that is automated/unstaffed, open between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., or located within 300 feet of a residential district (measured from the order station to the residential property line) must obtain a Conditional Use Permit [Section 58.740].
Stacking and Waiting Lane Requirements
The City of Orlando requires a minimum number of on-site waiting spaces for vehicles awaiting service to prevent traffic overflow into public rights-of-way. These spaces must be designed in accordance with the City of Orlando off-street parking requirements [Section 58.741].
| Type of Facility | Minimum Number of Waiting Spaces |
|---|---|
| Financial Institution | 4 spaces for each teller or drive-up ATM |
| Car Wash | 5 spaces for each service bay |
| Restaurant | 6 spaces |
| Church or Religious Institution | 5 spaces |
| Drive-In Theater | 20 spaces |
| Other Uses | As determined by the Zoning Official |
Design and Operational Standards
The City of Orlando mandates that take-out windows be located on the side or rear of the principal building [Section 62.616]. For midblock sites, drive-through curbcuts are limited to a maximum width of 12 feet for one-way traffic, unless the block face across the street is residential, in which case two-way access to the frontage street may be permitted with a maximum width of 24 feet [Section 62.616].
Noise and Screening
All speaker boxes used by City of Orlando businesses must comply with Class A noise standards and must be oriented away from any residential use located within 300 feet [Section 58.743]. The City of Orlando may also impose conditions regarding light shielding and the use of screen walls to mitigate negative impacts on neighboring properties [Section 58.740].
Special Plan Area Regulations
Several neighborhoods within the City of Orlando have unique restrictions on drive-through facilities established through Specially Planned Area (SP) overlays:
Edgewater Drive Special Plan
In the Edgewater Drive Appearance Review District, drive-through uses must be fully enclosed within a parking structure or building. They are prohibited from adding new curb cuts to Edgewater Drive and must taper their ingress and egress into a singular lane [Section 62.309].
SODO Special Plan
Within the SODO (South Orange Avenue/Michigan Street) corridor, drive-through facilities are generally discouraged. They are prohibited from directly accessing a "Primary Street" and are encouraged to integrate into structured parking [Section 62.499].
Semoran Boulevard Special Plan
The City of Orlando prohibits drive-through lanes between buildings and public streets within the Semoran Boulevard Special Plan area [Section 62.408].
Curry Ford Special Plan
Drive-through lanes and speaker boxes in the Curry Ford district must be located to the side or rear of buildings and away from street frontages, especially when in close proximity to residential buildings [Section 62.411].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.740 - General Requirements (Drive-Through Facilities)
- Section 58.741 - Waiting Areas for Vehicles Awaiting Service
- Section 58.743 - Speaker Boxes—Orientation and Noise Requirements
- Section 58.875 - Special Operational Regulations (Medical Marijuana Dispensaries)
- Section 62.309 - Edgewater Drive Special Plan
- Section 62.408 - Semoran Boulevard Special Plan
- Section 62.411 - Curry Ford Special Plan
- Section 62.499 - SODO Special Plan
- Section 62.606 - General Requirements (Neighborhood Convenience Stores)
- Section 62.616 - Drive-through Facilities (Traditional City)