Orlando MXD-2: Mixed Residential Office District Allowable Uses
The MXD-2: Mixed Residential Office District in Orlando is designed to support high-density residential developments and professional office spaces, specifically implementing the Residential-High Intensity and Mixed Use Corridor-High Intensity categories of the Growth Management Plan. Within the Orlando MXD-2 District, residential uses such as multi-family apartments and townhomes are permitted alongside limited office developments, while most retail, industrial, and intensive commercial activities are prohibited to maintain the district's transitional character.
Permitted and Conditional Uses in the MXD-2 District
The following use classifications are established for the MXD-2: Mixed Residential Office District in Orlando. Uses marked with "PA" require Appearance Review, and those marked with "C" require a Conditional Use Permit [Section 58.342, Figure 2].
Residential Uses
| Use Category | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Single Family Dwellings | Permitted (P) |
| Townhomes | Permitted with Appearance Review (PA) |
| Duplex or Tandem Dwellings | Permitted with Appearance Review (PA) |
| Multi-Family Dwellings | Permitted with Appearance Review (PA) |
| Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) | Permitted with Appearance Review (PA) |
| Mobile Homes | Prohibited |
Residential Congregate and Care Facilities
| Use Category | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Group Housing (no care) - Type A | Permitted (P) |
| Group Housing (no care) - Type B | Conditional Use (C) |
| Group Housing (no care) - Type C | Conditional Use for Historic Landmarks only (LC) |
| Residential Care Facilities (Types A & B) | Permitted (P) |
| Intensive Care Facilities (Types A, B, & C) | Permitted (P) |
| Transient Care Facilities (Types A & B) | Permitted (P) |
| Transient Care Facilities (Type C) | Conditional Use (C) |
Non-Residential and Professional Uses
| Use Category | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| General Office, Medical Office, and Dental Labs | Permitted (P) |
| Child or Adult Day Care (6-30 persons) | Permitted with Appearance Review (PA) |
| Child or Adult Day Care (31+ persons) | Permitted with Appearance Review (PA) |
| Communication Towers | Conditional Use with Appearance Review (CA) |
| Conservation Uses | Permitted (P) |
| Dwelling Unit - Commercial | Conditional Use (C) |
| Golf Courses | Conditional Use (C) |
Prohibited Uses in the Orlando MXD-2 District
To protect the integrity of the Mixed Residential Office environment, the City of Orlando prohibits several intensive or incompatible uses within the MXD-2 District [Section 62.307, Figure 2]:
- Retail and Trade: Light and intensive retailing, restaurants, and neighborhood convenience stores are generally prohibited.
- Industrial: Manufacturing (light and heavy), warehousing, and junk yards are not allowed.
- Service and Automotive: Auto service stations, major vehicle repairs, and automotive sales are prohibited.
- Entertainment: Adult entertainment facilities, nightclubs, and bars are strictly prohibited.
- Transit/Storage: Vertiports, recreational vehicle parks, and personal storage facilities are not permitted.
Development Standards for the MXD-2 District
The Orlando MXD-2 District is subject to specific intensity and bulk requirements to ensure high-rise and high-density developments integrate with the surrounding urban fabric [Section 58.1101, Figure 1B.LDC].
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Gross Residential Density | 30 units per acre |
| Maximum Gross Residential Density | 75 units per acre |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) - Residential | 0.50 (Single Family, Tandem, Duplex) |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) - Non-Residential | 0.35 (Regular); 0.35 (Max with Bonus) |
| Minimum Mean Lot Width (Single Family) | 35 feet |
| Minimum Mean Lot Depth | 100 feet |
| Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) | 0.85 |
| Maximum Building Height (Inside Traditional City) | 45 feet |
Specific Regulations for Office Use
In the Orlando MXD-2 District, office uses are restricted to ensure they remain subordinate to the primary residential character. Offices may not occupy more than 50% of the gross floor area of any building site nor more than the first story, whichever is less [Section 58.253]. Additionally, the design of new office structures or substantial enlargements exceeding 50 linear feet along any street frontage must reflect the scale of the principal structures on the block face [Section 62.307].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.101: Relationship to the Growth Management Plan.
- Section 58.210: General Requirements and Establishment of Districts.
- Section 58.253: General Standards for Mixed Residential-Office Districts.
- Section 58.260: Relationship to the Growth Management Plan (MXD-2).
- Section 58.261: Purpose of the MXD-2 District.
- Section 58.342: Rezones and Zoning Map Applications (Allowable Use Table).
- Section 58.1101: Maximum Available Bonus and Density Table.
- Section 62.307: General Standards for Appearance Review in MXD-2.