Guide to the UR: Urban Reserve District in Orlando

The UR: Urban Reserve District in Orlando is a long-term base zoning district designed to manage the timing and phasing of urban growth. This district is primarily applied to undeveloped lands where future urban development is anticipated, but currently restricted until essential infrastructure and municipal services can be provided efficiently. Within the UR: Urban Reserve District, residential density is strictly limited to one unit per 10 acres, and allowable activities are confined to residential, public, agricultural, and conservation uses [Section 58.451, Section 58.452, Figure 1C].

Purpose of the UR: Urban Reserve District

The primary purpose of the UR: Urban Reserve District in Orlando is to ensure the orderly and efficient expansion of the city's metropolitan systems [Section 58.100]. It provides for the proper timing and phasing of growth within the Orlando City Planning Area by allowing only limited beneficial use of lands that are intended for future urban development [Section 58.451].

The UR: Urban Reserve District serves a distinct role compared to the -H- (Holding) District. While both manage land prior to urban development, the UR: Urban Reserve District is intended for land held in an undeveloped state for a longer term. It specifically addresses properties that are not currently needed to accommodate the demand for urban-zoned land or those that suffer from poor accessibility and cannot yet be served in an economical or efficient manner [Section 58.451].

General Character and Application

The character of the UR: Urban Reserve District is essentially rural or natural, acting as a "reserve" for the city's future footprint. Properties within this district are typically large tracts that have not yet been platted for high-density use.

According to the Orlando Code of Ordinances, properties are classified under this district when:

Urban land uses are determined to be appropriate for the site in the future [Section 58.452].
Urban services cannot be provided in an economical manner at the current time [Section 58.452].
The property is designated as "Urban Reserve" on the City of Orlando’s Future Land Use Map Series [Section 58.452].

Land remains in the UR: Urban Reserve District until such time as adequate infrastructure is made available to serve the site and market conditions indicate a clear need for additional urban land [Section 58.452].

Permitted Land Uses

Because the UR: Urban Reserve District is a transitional, long-term holding category, the range of permitted uses is intentionally narrow to prevent premature fragmentation or development of the land. The City of Orlando limits allowable uses in this district to the following four categories:

Residential: Limited to very low-density single-family dwellings.
Public: Government-owned facilities or lands.
Agriculture: General farming and agricultural activities.
Conservation: Preservation of natural systems and environmentally sensitive lands.

[Section 58.452].

Development Standards

The development standards for the UR: Urban Reserve District are the most restrictive in the City of Orlando, emphasizing large lot sizes and minimal site coverage to preserve the land's open character.

Standard	Requirement in UR District
Maximum Gross Residential Density	1 unit per 10 acres (1/10 du/ac)
Minimum Lot Area (Single Family)	10 acres
Minimum Mean Lot Width	200 feet
Minimum Building Site Frontage	100 feet
Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR)	0.05 (5% site coverage)
Maximum Building Height (Permitted)	35 feet
Minimum Front Yard Setback	30 feet
Minimum Side Yard Setback	15 feet
Minimum Street Side Yard Setback	25 feet
Minimum Rear Yard Setback	25 feet

[Figure 1C, Page 32-33].

Signage in the Urban Reserve District

For the purposes of signage, the UR: Urban Reserve District falls under the "All Other Zones" category in the City of Orlando's sign regulations. Generally, signage is restricted to the standards for residential or agricultural areas to maintain the district's character [Table 1A, Section 64.105].

Sections Cited