Orlando, FL Major Attraction (MA) Overlay District Requirements
The City of Orlando’s Major Attraction (MA) Overlay District is a specialized designation for large-scale entertainment or lodging complexes that draw at least 750,000 annual visitors and operate under unified management. Located specifically within Metropolitan Activity Center Districts (AC-3 or AC-3A), this overlay allows for expanded identification signage up to 1,100 square feet and requires comprehensive Master Plan Review for developments exceeding 10 acres.
Minimum Criteria for Designation
To qualify for the Major Attraction (MA) Overlay District within the City of Orlando, a facility must meet specific operational and physical thresholds to ensure it functions as a regional economic and tourist hub [Section 58.413].
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| State Recognition | Must be considered an entertainment or lodging complex by the State of Florida. |
| Minimum Annual Visitors | 750,000 visitors minimum. |
| Meeting Facility Capacity | Must provide meeting facilities for at least 250 persons. |
| Minimum Restaurant Size | At least one restaurant with 4,000 sq. ft. of service area. |
| Restaurant Capacity | Equipped to serve 150 persons full-course meals at one time. |
| Ownership/Management | Must be under unified ownership, a unified management structure, or a single, approved master plan. |
| Primary Zoning | Must be located within an AC-3 or AC-3A district. |
Development and Site Standards
The City of Orlando applies standard base zoning requirements to the MA Overlay District, but provides specific modifications depending on the size of the complex [Section 58.414].
Sites Under Ten Acres
For smaller complexes, the City of Orlando mandates specific orientation and landscaping adjustments:
- Yard Setbacks: If a complex fronts more than one street, every street-facing side is considered a front yard for the purposes of calculating setbacks.
- Landscaping Relief: Perimeter landscaping is not required for parking garage frontages if the ground floor of that garage incorporates "active uses" (such as retail or dining).
Sites Ten Acres or Greater
Developments exceeding 10 acres require a higher level of administrative scrutiny. A Master Plan Review is mandatory to ensure the major attraction is compatible with the surrounding urban area. During this review, the City of Orlando may require site development standards that differ from the underlying zoning district [Section 58.414].
Signage Regulations
Signage within the MA Overlay District is governed by specialized standards to allow for large-scale identification while maintaining aesthetic consistency [Section 64.230].
| Feature | Major Attraction Identification Sign (MAIS) Requirement |
|---|---|
| Quantity | Limited to one (1) MAIS per Major Attraction. |
| Maximum Sign Area | 1,100 sq. ft. (this is included in the total sign area permitted for the complex). |
| Roof Sign Height | May not exceed 30 ft. above the highest point of the roof. |
| Pole Sign Height | May not exceed 85 ft. above ground level. |
| Electronic Message Center | Permitted as a component; max 35% of total sign area. |
| Message Frequency | Maximum one (1) change per hour; no flashing or running messages. |
| Incidental Signage | Signs on table umbrella awnings are permitted and not counted against total area. |
Administration and Aesthetic Review
All permanent signage within an MA Overlay District located inside the Downtown Development District must undergo an aesthetic and design review by the Appearance Review Board (ARB). The ARB ensures that the color schemes, materials, and relationship to other signs maintain the overall theme of the complex and protect the visual integrity of the surrounding Orlando neighborhoods [Section 64.230].
The Planning Official of the City of Orlando may also establish implementation procedures for "master signage accounts." This allows for incremental allocation of sign area and group sign permitting for different sections or buildings within a large-scale attraction complex [Section 64.230].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.410 – Relationship to the Growth Management Plan.
- Section 58.411 – Purpose of the District.
- Section 58.412 – Zoning Map Application.
- Section 58.413 – Minimum Criteria.
- Section 58.414 – District Standards.
- Section 64.230 – Signs in the MA Overlay District.