Regulations for the Traditional City Overlay District in Orlando
The Traditional City Overlay District in the City of Orlando enforces specific design standards based on pre-World War II development patterns, requiring that at least 70% of a residential building's front wall meets the maximum setback line and mandating a minimum of 15% transparency for street-facing residential facades. In commercial areas, the City of Orlando requires building setbacks as low as 5 feet on designated "Main Streets" to ensure a pedestrian-oriented environment [Section 62.608].
Purpose and Applicability
The Traditional City Overlay District is intended to establish urban design standards that perpetuate the positive design elements and development patterns found in the City of Orlando’s older neighborhoods. It specifically addresses subdivisions platted prior to World War II, where there is a high concentration of specific design elements as defined in Urban Design Goal 1 of the Growth Management Plan [Section 58.441]. These regulations apply to both residential and non-residential development within the district boundaries [Section 62.600].
Residential Development Standards
Residential construction within the Traditional City Overlay District must adhere to strict standards regarding building placement, massing, and architectural features to maintain neighborhood character.
Building Envelope and Intensity
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Building Setback (Front) | Minimum 70% of the front building wall must meet the maximum setback [Section 62.609]. |
| Max Building Height (R-1, R-1N, R-1A, R-2A, R-2B) | 30 feet [Figure 1A.LDC]. |
| Max Building Height (R-3D) | 55 feet [Figure 1A.LDC]. |
| Max ISR (Impervious Surface Ratio) | Typically 0.55 for single-family and duplex [Figure 1A.LDC]. |
| Building Frontage | Building must account for 60% of the lot frontage on the primary street [Section 62.609]. |
| Transparency (Front & Street Side) | Minimum 15% transparent or translucent materials on each story below the roof line [Section 62.600]. |
Garages and Carports
The City of Orlando requires that residential garages and carports do not dominate the streetscape. No more than 50% of the lineal ground floor principal facade may consist of a garage or carport. All such structures must be flush with or recessed from the ground floor principal facade [Section 62.600]. For duplexes, front-facing garages must be recessed at least 5 feet from the ground floor principal facade [Section 62.600].
Porches and Projections
The Appearance Review Officer may permit up to 30% of the building frontage to extend up to a maximum of 20% into the required front yard setback for projections such as bay windows or stoops [Section 62.600].
- First Story Porches: Must have a minimum depth of 6 feet and be open on three sides [Section 62.600].
- Second Story Porches: Allowed only if there is a first-story porch directly below it [Section 62.600].
Mixed Use and Activity Center Standards
Non-residential and mixed-use developments in the Traditional City Overlay District are governed by their proximity to "Main Streets" or "Town Streets."
Street Designations and Setbacks
| Street Type | Maximum Setback |
|---|---|
| Main Streets (e.g., Orange Ave, Edgewater Dr, Mills Ave) | 5 feet [Section 62.608]. |
| Town Streets (All others not designated Main Streets) | 15 feet [Section 62.608]. |
Commercial Building Design
Buildings must provide a "base, middle, and top" pattern. In the City of Orlando, these must be constructed of durable materials such as brick, stone, or pre-cast materials; the use of stucco or EIFS is prohibited for these structural components in the Traditional City Overlay District [Section 62.609].
The ground floor building wall facing the street must contain a minimum of 30% transparent materials on the primary frontage, located between 3 and 7 feet from ground level [Section 62.609].
Roof Shape Compatibility
The City of Orlando mandates that if a second structure is built on the same site, it must have the same roof form as the principal structure. New construction must utilize roof shapes consistent with traditional structures.
| Existing Principal Roof | Compatible New Roof Shapes |
|---|---|
| Flat | Flat, Parapet, Shed |
| Gable | Gable, Hip, Jerkinhead, Parapet, Shed |
| Hip | Gable, Hip, Jerkinhead, Parapet, Shed |
| Pyramidal | Gable, Hip, Pyramidal, Shed |
[Source: Figure 47]
Streetscape and Infrastructure
- Street Trees: Canopy trees must be planted in parkways between the sidewalk and the travel lane. If parkway width is between 5 and 7.5 feet, root barriers (24" depth, 12' length) are required [Section 60.208].
- Streetwalls: Vehicular use areas must be screened by a streetwall (3' to 5' in height). These walls must be located within the required maximum setback from the street [Section 62.611].
- Corner Visibility: At intersections within the Traditional City Overlay District, the corner sight distance area must be maintained based on the posted speed limit (e.g., 350 feet for 25 mph) [Section 60.142].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.110 (Zoning Tables)
- Section 58.441 (Purpose of the District)
- Section 60.142 (Street Corner Visibility)
- Section 60.208 (Street Trees)
- Section 62.600 (General Requirements)
- Section 62.608 (Designation of Streets)
- Section 62.609 (Building Standards)
- Section 62.611 (Streetwall and Vehicular Use Areas)
- Figure 1A.LDC (Table of Zoning District Regulations)
- Figure 47 (Compatible Roof Shapes)