Orlando Public Use District (-P-): Regulations and Allowed Uses
In the City of Orlando, the -P- Public Use District is reserved exclusively for lands owned by public bodies and intended for public benefit. All land use within this district is limited to "Public Benefit Uses" (PBUs) and requires that the property remain under public ownership; if the land is sold or donated to a private entity, it must be rezoned [Section 58.322].
Permitted and Prohibited Uses
The City of Orlando regulates the Public Use District to ensure that any development provides a clear benefit to the health, safety, or welfare of the citizens. Uses are divided into those permitted by right, those requiring a conditional use permit, and those strictly prohibited.
Non-Residential Permitted Uses (By Right)
The following uses are allowed in the City of Orlando Public Use District, provided they are situated on publicly owned land:
- Public Benefit Uses: Local-level assembly facilities [Figure 2].
- Commercial/Service Uses: General office, medical and dental laboratories, and principal use parking facilities [Figure 2].
- Retail and Dining: Light and intensive retailing, neighborhood convenience stores, and restaurants (including bars and nightclubs, subject to midnight operating hour restrictions) [Figure 2, Section 62.506].
- Industrial and Storage: Light manufacturing and processing, warehousing, and wholesale distribution facilities [Figure 2].
- Institutional: Hospitals, clinics, and child/adult day care centers [Figure 2].
- Recreation: Both indoor and outdoor recreational facilities [Figure 2].
- Environmental: Conservation uses [Figure 2].
Conditional Uses
Certain uses require a higher level of review and may be permitted only if they meet specific criteria and obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the City of Orlando:
- Large-Scale Facilities: Neighborhood, community, and regional public benefit assembly facilities [Figure 2].
- Lodging: Hotels and motels [Figure 2].
- Specialized Infrastructure: Communication towers, personal storage facilities, and vertiports [Figure 2].
Prohibited Uses
The following uses are strictly prohibited within the Public Use District:
- Residential Development: Single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes, tandems, multi-family apartment units, and mobile homes [Figure 2].
- Incompatible Industrial: Heavy manufacturing or processing and indoor shooting ranges [Figure 2].
- Specific Recreation: Recreational vehicle (RV) parks and golf courses [Figure 2].
- Specialty Services: Adult entertainment facilities, agriculture, and whole blood facilities [Figure 2].
Public Benefit Use (PBU) Categories
Public Benefit Uses in the City of Orlando are further classified into three distinct intensity categories, which dictate the necessary scale and review process.
| Category | Typical Included Uses |
|---|---|
| Assembly PBUs | Civic clubs, libraries, museums, religious institutions, stadiums, performing arts centers, and public/private schools. |
| Light PBUs | Cemeteries, fire stations, police stations, post offices, parks, and municipal or state buildings. |
| Intensive PBUs | Public utilities/substations, wastewater treatment, solid waste collection, and correctional facilities (jails/prisons). |
[Section 58.810]
Technical Development Standards
Development within the -P- Public Use District must follow strict physical standards. However, the City of Orlando recognizes that public facilities like water treatment plants or stadiums have unique needs; therefore, these standards are often evaluated through the Conditional Use process to address specific site requirements [Section 58.323].
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 5 acres |
| Minimum Building Site Frontage | 100 feet |
| Minimum Mean Lot Width | 200 feet |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 0.05 |
| Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) | 0.05 |
| 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]
Sections Cited
- Section 58.210: General Requirements and Establishment of Districts.
- Section 58.321: Purpose of the Public Use District.
- Section 58.322: Rezones and Zoning Map Applications.
- Section 58.323: Development Standards for Public Bodies.
- Section 58.810: General Requirements for Public Benefit Uses.
- Section 62.506: Sound Attenuation and Alcohol Sales Permits.
- Figure 1C: Table of Zoning District Regulations.
- Figure 2: Table of Allowable Uses in Zoning Districts.