Guide to the -H-: Holding District in the City of Orlando
The Orlando -H-: Holding District is a transitional zoning classification designed to maintain land in a primarily undeveloped state for an interim period while awaiting the proper timing and phasing of urban growth. This classification ensures that development does not occur until the City of Orlando can efficiently provide necessary urban services and facilities, while allowing for a concentrated urban form that matches the area's topography and soil conditions [Section 58.330, Section 58.331]. In the interim, the district allows for limited uses such as single-family residences, agriculture, and open space [Section 58.332].
Purpose of the Holding District
The City of Orlando established the -H-: Holding District to manage the expansion of the metropolitan area. Its primary goal is to ensure that land is not prematurely developed in a way that would be inefficient or difficult for the municipality to support with infrastructure [Section 58.331].
By placing land in this district, the City of Orlando can:
- Coordinate future growth with existing soil and topographic conditions.
- Prevent haphazard or premature land development.
- Ensure that urban services (such as water, sewer, and transportation) are provided in an orderly and economic fashion [Section 58.330].
General Character and Development Standards
The general character of the -H-: Holding District is one of low-intensity usage. The City of Orlando limits building heights and regulates the amount of impervious surface to protect the land's transitionary nature.
The following table outlines the technical development standards for the -H-: Holding District:
| Standard | Holding District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Building Site Frontage | 50 feet |
| Front Yard Setback (Minimum) | 0 feet (subject to footnotes 6 and 20) |
| Front Yard Setback (Maximum) | 10 feet (inside Traditional City) |
| Side Yard Setback (Minimum) | 0 or 3 feet |
| Street Side Yard Setback (Minimum) | 0 feet (subject to footnotes 6 and 20) |
| Street Side Yard Setback (Maximum) | 25 feet (inside Traditional City) |
| Rear Yard Setback | 20 feet |
| Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) | 0.85 |
| Maximum Building Height (Inside Traditional City) | 35 feet |
| Maximum Building Height (Outside Traditional City) | 35 feet |
Source: Figure 1: Table of Zoning District Regulations [Page 31]
Permitted and Conditional Land Uses
The City of Orlando permits a variety of uses within the -H-: Holding District, provided they do not interfere with the long-term goal of controlled urban expansion. While intended to be "primarily undeveloped," the City allows several specific active uses [Section 58.331].
Residential Uses
- Permitted: Single-family dwellings [Figure 2].
- Conditional: Townhomes (subject to Appearance Review) [Figure 2].
Non-Residential and Public Uses
- Permitted: Conservation uses, hospitals and clinics, local assembly facilities, restaurants, and neighborhood convenience stores [Figure 2].
- Conditional: Golf courses, neighborhood/community/regional assembly facilities, and personal storage facilities [Figure 2].
- Prohibited: Multi-family units, duplexes, and mobile homes [Figure 2].
Rezoning and Zoning Map Applications
The City Council may apply the -H-: Holding District designation to lands that should be preserved for agricultural or open space use for an indefinite period [Section 58.332]. Classification is generally handled during the zoning or rezoning process and must be consistent with the Growth Management Plan (GMP) land use designation for the property.
Property owners in the City of Orlando who wish to establish a specific zoning district classification for their property may seek a Planning Official’s Determination. This process ensures the property is classified according to the ultimate use intended by the City of Orlando's long-range planning documents [Section 58.332].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.330 - Relationship to the Growth Management Plan.
- Section 58.331 - Purpose of the District.
- Section 58.332 - Rezones and Zoning Map Applications.
- Figure 1 - Table of Zoning District Regulations.
- Figure 2 - Table of Allowable Uses.