Orlando R-1 One Family Residential District: Purpose and Standards
The R-1 One Family Residential District in Orlando is established to protect the low-density character of traditional neighborhoods, requiring a minimum building site of 6,000 square feet. This Orlando municipality district maintains a maximum residential density of 7.0 dwelling units per acre and is primarily reserved for detached single-family homes and accessory dwelling units.
Purpose and General Character
The R-1 district in Orlando is categorized as a "One Family Residential District" under the City’s land development code [Section 58.210]. The primary intent of the R-1 district is to conserve the general character of established one-family neighborhoods and to provide for new areas of low and moderate-density one-family development [Section 58.221].
The general character of the R-1 district is defined by its role in implementing the "Residential-Low Intensity" category of the Orlando Growth Management Plan (GMP) [Section 58.220]. Development in this district is strictly limited to one dwelling unit per building site, ensuring a suburban feel with significant yard requirements and landscaping standards [Figure 1A.LDC].
Permitted and Conditional Land Uses
Land uses in the R-1 district are focused on residential living and compatible community uses. Within Orlando's regulatory framework, the R-1 district is grouped under the "R-1S" classification for use permissions [Figure 2A.LDC].
Residential Uses
| Use Category | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Single Family (Detached) | Permitted (P) |
| Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) | Permitted (P) |
| Townhomes | Prohibited (Blank) |
| Duplex or Tandem Dwellings | Prohibited (Blank) |
| Multi-Family Units | Prohibited (Blank) |
Non-Residential and Community Uses
| Use Category | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Conservation Uses | Permitted (P) |
| Child Adult Day Care (6–30 persons) | Conditional (C) |
| Golf Courses | Conditional (C) |
| Religious Institutions (Local Facility) | Permitted (P) |
| Schools (Public, Private, and Charter) | Permitted (P) |
[Source: Figure 2A.LDC, Figure 2B.LDC, Section 58.811]
Technical Development Standards
The City of Orlando imposes specific dimensional requirements for any building site within the R-1 district. These standards vary slightly depending on whether the property is located inside or outside the "Traditional City" overlay.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Residential Density | 7.0 dwelling units per acre |
| Minimum Lot Area | 6,000 square feet |
| Minimum Mean Lot Width | 55 feet |
| Minimum Mean Lot Depth | 110 feet |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | Consistent with Specific Residential Uses |
| Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) | 0.55 |
| Maximum Building Height (Inside Traditional City) | 30 feet |
| Maximum Building Height (Outside Traditional City) | 35 feet |
[Source: Figure 1A.LDC]
Setback Requirements for Principal Buildings
| Setback Location | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 25 feet |
| Side Yard | 6 feet |
| Street Side Yard | 15 feet |
| Rear Yard | 25 feet |
[Source: Figure 1A.LDC]
Specific District Regulations
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
The R-1 district allows for the construction of one accessory dwelling unit per single-family residential building site. For an ADU up to 500 square feet, the building site must meet the standard 6,000 square foot minimum. If the ADU is between 501 and 1,000 square feet, the minimum lot size increases to 9,000 square feet [Section 58.501].
Landscaping and Tree Requirements
Orlando requires that R-1 residential lots include canopy trees to maintain the district's character. For R-1 lots of 6,000 square feet or less, a minimum of two canopy trees (with a minimum 2-inch caliper each) must be planted or retained. Furthermore, turfgrass on any R-1 building site must not exceed 60% of the total pervious area [Section 60.223].
Traditional City Design Standards
If the R-1 property is located within Orlando's "Traditional City" area, additional design standards apply. For example, the Appearance Review Officer may permit projections and recesses to extend up to 20% into the required front yard setback, provided they do not exceed 30% of the building frontage [Section 62.600].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.210
- Section 58.220
- Section 58.221
- Section 58.501
- Section 58.811
- Section 60.223
- Section 62.600
- Figure 1A.LDC
- Figure 2A.LDC
- Figure 2B.LDC