Orlando's R-3C Medium Intensity Development District
The R-3C: Development District in the City of Orlando is designed to support medium-intensity residential development and redevelopment with densities ranging from a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 30 dwelling units per acre. This City of Orlando district emphasizes flexibility in building and site design, allowing for a diverse mix of uses including multi-family housing, professional offices, and light retail to implement the "Residential-Medium Intensity" goals of the local Growth Management Plan.
Purpose and General Character
The R-3C: Development District is formally classified by the City of Orlando as a "Medium Intensity Development District" [Section 58.241]. Its primary purpose is to provide significant flexibility in building and site design within the City of Orlando in locations where the community desires residential development or redevelopment at a medium level of intensity [Section 58.241].
The character of the R-3C: Development District is intended to be consistent with the City of Orlando’s "Residential-Medium Intensity" future land use category [Section 58.240]. This district typically serves as a transitional area, allowing for a variety of housing types and supporting non-residential services that are compatible with a medium-density urban environment.
Permitted Land Uses
The City of Orlando allows a broad range of residential and non-residential activities within the R-3C: Development District. Uses are categorized as Permitted (P), Permitted with Appearance Review (PA), or Conditional (C).
Residential Uses
Residential options in the R-3C: Development District are diverse and include:
- Single-Family Dwellings: Permitted by right [Figure 2].
- Multi-Family Dwellings: Permitted by right [Figure 2].
- Townhomes and Duplexes: Permitted subject to Appearance Review (PA) [Figure 2].
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Permitted subject to Appearance Review (PA) [Figure 2].
- Residential Congregate Living: Includes Group Housing (Types A, B, and C) and various Residential and Intensive Care Facilities, which are generally permitted by right [Figure 2].
Non-Residential and Commercial Uses
The City of Orlando provides for various service and retail uses within the R-3C: Development District to support the resident population:
- Office and Medical: General and medical offices, including dental labs, are permitted by right [Figure 2].
- Retailing and Services: Light retailing and personal services are permitted, while intensive retailing and intensive services generally require a Conditional Use permit [Figure 2].
- Hospitality: Hotels and motels are permitted by right [Figure 2].
- Public and Institutional: Child and adult day care, conservation uses, and hospitals/clinics are permitted. Golf courses and neighborhood-serving convenience stores require Conditional Use approval [Figure 2].
Technical Development Standards
Development within the City of Orlando's R-3C: Development District must adhere to specific intensity and dimensional requirements. These standards are designed to ensure that the medium-intensity character is maintained across all building sites.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Residential Density | 12 dwelling units per acre [Figure 1] |
| Maximum Residential Density | 30 dwelling units per acre [Figure 1] |
| Maximum Non-Residential FAR | 0.35 [Figure 1] |
| Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) | 0.80 [Figure 1] |
| Maximum Building Height | 45 feet (Inside/Outside Traditional City) [Figure 1] |
| Minimum Lot Depth | 100 feet [Figure 1] |
| Minimum Building Site Frontage | 35 feet [Figure 1] |
Principal Building Setbacks
The City of Orlando enforces the following minimum setbacks for principal structures in the R-3C: Development District:
| Setback Location | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 15 feet [Figure 1] |
| Side Yard | 5 feet [Figure 1] |
| Street Side Yard | 10 feet [Figure 1] |
| Rear Yard | 20 feet [Figure 1] |
Sections Cited
- Section 58.210 - General Requirements (Establishment of Districts)
- Section 58.240 - Relationship to the Growth Management Plan
- Section 58.241 - Purpose of the Districts
- Figure 1 (FG-1A.LDC) - Table of Zoning District Regulations
- Figure 2 (FG-2A.LDC / FG-2B.LDC) - Table of Allowable Uses in Zoning Districts