Orlando’s -C-: Conservation District Zoning Standards
The -C-: Conservation District in the City of Orlando is a restrictive zoning category designed to identify, protect, and preserve environmentally sensitive lands, such as wetlands and floodplains, for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. While development is strictly limited to prevent environmental degradation, the City of Orlando permits low-intensity uses such as single-family homes on large lots and passive recreational parks.
Purpose of the Conservation District
The -C-: Conservation District is established by the City of Orlando to protect natural resources and the functioning of natural systems. Its primary objective is the preservation of sensitive lands along stream and lake shores, as well as areas subject to erosion [Section 58.310].
The City of Orlando designates these areas as a "terminal category" for land, intended to ensure that current and future residents can enjoy the benefits of the natural environment [Section 58.311]. This designation is used to coordinate land use with the Orlando Growth Management Plan (GMP) to minimize impairments to vital natural systems [Section 58.310].
General Character and Development Requirements
The character of the -C-: Conservation District is defined by its natural state and minimal human footprint. Development is intentionally restricted to prevent activity that would be environmentally detrimental to the site or adjacent lands [Section 58.311].
Key requirements for any activity within the -C-: Conservation District in the City of Orlando include:
- Identification: Properties containing wetlands or upland buffers must show these features on the face of any Master Plan or plat [Section 58.313].
- Conservation Easements: The City of Orlando requires the establishment of conservation easements to protect the natural resources of the district [Section 58.313].
- Regulatory Consistency: The district must comply with all applicable County, State, and Federal permits [Section 58.313].
Permitted and Conditional Land Uses
Land uses in the -C-: Conservation District are highly limited to favor preservation over construction. The following uses are specified by the City of Orlando in the allowable use tables [Figure 2]:
| Use Category | Permission Status |
|---|---|
| Single Family Residential | Permitted (P) |
| Conservation Uses | Permitted (P) |
| Golf Courses | Conditional (C) |
| Accessory Dwelling Units | Prohibited (Blank) |
| Townhomes / Duplexes | Prohibited (Blank) |
| Commercial / Retail Uses | Prohibited (Blank) |
Technical Development Standards
The City of Orlando enforces strict dimensional standards for the -C-: Conservation District to maintain low density and high permeability [Figures 1C and 2A].
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 5 Acres |
| Minimum Mean Lot Width | 200 Feet |
| Minimum Building Site Frontage | 100 Feet |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (Non-Residential) | 0.05 |
| Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) | 0.05 |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 Feet |
| 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 |
Sections Cited
- Section 58.210 - General Requirements (Establishment of Districts)
- Section 58.310 - Relationship to the Growth Management Plan
- Section 58.311 - Purpose of the District
- Section 58.312 - Rezones and Map Applications
- Section 58.313 - Additional Requirements
- Figure 1C - Table of Zoning District Regulations
- Figure 2 - Table of Allowable Uses in Zoning Districts