Off-Street Parking Standards for the -H-: Holding District in Orlando, Florida
In the City of Orlando -H-: Holding District, off-street parking requirements are not defined by fixed ratios within the district-specific tables; instead, they are established through a Planning Official’s Determination based on the property's assigned sub-classification (Residential, Office, Commercial, or Industrial) or adjacent zoning patterns. All projects must comply with the general parking and loading standards of Chapter 61, and because the -H-: Holding District is intended to maintain land in a primarily undeveloped state, it features a very low maximum Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) of 0.05 and a maximum non-residential Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 0.05, which severely limits the extent of paved parking areas permitted on a site.
General Requirements and Authority
The -H-: Holding District is established by the City of Orlando to provide for the proper timing and phasing of growth within the metropolitan area by keeping land in a primarily undeveloped state for an interim period [Section 58.331].
Because the district serves as a transition zone, the City of Orlando does not list specific parking ratios for the -H-: Holding District in the standard zoning tables. Instead, the municipal code mandates the following:
- Planning Official’s Determination: The Zoning Official determines the specific classification for a property (Residential, Office, Commercial, or Industrial) during the development process. The parking requirements are then pulled from the corresponding standards for that use as found in Chapter 61 [Section 58.332].
- Chapter 61 Compliance: All subdivisions and building sites in the City of Orlando must provide adequate access for parking and loading in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 61 [Section 60.101, Section 60.150].
Technical Development Standards
The following technical standards apply to all development within the -H-: Holding District in the City of Orlando. These figures directly influence the capacity for off-street parking by limiting the total amount of impervious surface allowed on the lot.
| Standard | Requirement in -H-: Holding District |
|---|---|
| Maximum Residential Density | 1 dwelling unit per 5 acres [Figure 1C] |
| Maximum Non-Residential FAR | 0.05 [Figure 1C] |
| Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) | 0.05 [Figure 1C] |
| Minimum Lot Area (Single Family) | 5 acres [Figure 1C] |
| Minimum Mean Lot Width | 200 feet [Figure 1C] |
| Minimum Building Site Frontage | 100 feet [Figure 1C] |
| Minimum Front Yard Setback | 75 feet [Figure 1C] |
| Minimum Side Yard Setback | 25 feet [Figure 1C] |
| Minimum Street Side Yard Setback | 25 feet [Figure 1C] |
| Minimum Rear Yard Setback | 35 feet [Figure 1C] |
Parking Location and Restrictions
The City of Orlando imposes specific restrictions on where and how parking may be situated within the -H-: Holding District:
Front Yard Restrictions
Required front yards in the City of Orlando must be maintained free of most structures. They may not be paved except for ordinary sidewalks, driveways, and parking areas that comply specifically with Section 61.302 [Section 58.1209].
Joint-Use and Access
For developments within the City of Orlando, the Zoning Official is authorized to require joint-use driveways or make adjustments to the location and design of landscaped areas required on the building site, which may impact the layout of off-street parking [Section 60.205].
Commercial Vehicle Prohibition
The parking of commercial vehicles is strictly prohibited on public streets or within privately owned driveways or property in all residential or office districts within the City of Orlando. This prohibition applies to the -H-: Holding District when it is classified for residential or office use [Section 58.926].
Landscaping Adjustments
The Zoning Official may authorize the redesign or removal of a limited number of required parking spaces to ensure a building site can meet the bufferyard and landscaping requirements of the City of Orlando [Section 58.1182].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.331 - Purpose of the District
- Section 58.332 - Rezones and Zoning Map Applications
- Figure 1C - Table of Zoning District Regulations (AC-N to UR)
- Section 58.926 - General Requirement (Commercial Parking)
- Section 58.1182 - Removal of Parking Spaces to Achieve Compliance
- Section 58.1209 - Requirements for Specific Yards
- Section 60.101 - Purpose of Subdivision and Building Site Design Requirements
- Section 60.150 - General Requirements and Cross-References
- Section 60.205 - Subdivision and Street Design Modifications to Protect Trees