Orlando Zoning Regulations: -H- Holding District
The -H- Holding District in the City of Orlando is a restrictive interim designation intended to maintain land in a primarily undeveloped state. Within the Orlando City Code, the only explicitly permitted activity in this district is Conservation Uses, while all forms of residential, commercial, and industrial development are prohibited. This classification ensures the proper timing and phasing of urban growth by restricting high-intensity use until a more appropriate zoning designation is established.
Purpose of the -H- Holding District
The primary objective of the -H- Holding District is to facilitate the orderly timing and phasing of growth within the Orlando metropolitan area. By holding land in a primarily undeveloped state for an interim period, the City of Orlando can coordinate future development with appropriate topography, soil conditions, and the efficient provision of urban services [Section 58.330, Section 58.331].
The City of Orlando may apply the -H- Holding District designation to:
- Lands intended for future development that should remain undeveloped in the short term.
- Lands intended for preservation as open space.
- Lands designated for agricultural use for an indefinite period [Section 58.332].
Allowed and Prohibited Uses
The City of Orlando utilizes a "Table of Allowable Uses" to dictate permissions. In this table, the column for the -H- Holding District is largely blank, signifying that most modern urban uses are strictly prohibited until the land is rezoned.
Permitted Uses
According to the City of Orlando use tables, only one category is explicitly permitted by right:
- Conservation Uses: Activities related to the protection and maintenance of natural resources [Figure 2].
Prohibited Uses
Because the -H- Holding District is a "holding" category, nearly all forms of intensive land development are prohibited, including but not limited to:
- Residential: Single-family homes, multi-family apartments, townhomes, duplexes, mobile homes, and accessory dwelling units.
- Commercial: Retail stores, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, hotels, and motels.
- Services: Personal services, automotive repair, medical offices, and child/adult day care.
- Industrial: Manufacturing, warehousing, and junk yards.
- Institutional: Schools, hospitals, and religious institutions [Figure 2].
Technical Development Standards
Development within the -H- Holding District is limited to extremely low intensities. The Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) are kept at near-zero levels to prevent significant construction.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 0.05 |
| Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) | 0.05 |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 feet |
| Minimum Building Site Frontage | 25 feet |
| Minimum Front Yard Setback | 75 feet |
| Minimum Side Yard Setback | 25 feet |
| Minimum Street Side Yard Setback | 25 feet |
| Minimum Rear Yard Setback | 35 feet |
Note: Standards for specific public benefit uses may be established during a Conditional Use Permit review process [Figure 1C.LDC].
Transition and Rezoning
The -H- Holding District is not intended to be a permanent designation for land slated for urban use. Property owners in the City of Orlando may seek a Planning Official’s Determination to establish a permanent zoning district classification. This classification must be consistent with the Orlando Growth Management Plan (GMP) and the future land use designation for the property [Section 58.332].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.210 - General Requirements (Establishment of Districts)
- Section 58.330 - Relationship to the Growth Management Plan
- Section 58.331 - Purpose of the District
- Section 58.332 - Rezones and Zoning Map Applications
- Figure 1C.LDC - Table of Zoning District Regulations (Standards)
- Figure 2 - Table of Allowable Uses in Zoning Districts