Setback Requirements for the R-3D High Intensity Development District in Orlando
In the City of Orlando, the R-3D High Intensity Development District requires a minimum front yard setback of 10 feet and a rear yard setback of 20 feet. To ensure proper spacing between structures, the R-3D High Intensity Development District mandates a minimum side yard setback of 5 feet, while the street side yard setback for corner lots is established at 10 feet [Figure 1A.LDC].
R-3D High Intensity Development District Purpose
The R-3D High Intensity Development District in the City of Orlando is intended to provide flexibility in building and site design. It is specifically used in locations where residential development or redevelopment is desired at a high intensity, often serving as a transitional area or "fringe" of declining intensity adjacent to more dense Activity Center districts [Section 58.241].
Standard Principal Building Setbacks
Development within the R-3D High Intensity Development District must adhere to the following minimum setback standards for principal buildings:
| Setback Location | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 10 Feet |
| Side Yard | 5 Feet |
| Street Side Yard (Corner Lots) | 10 Feet |
| Rear Yard | 20 Feet |
Source: Figure 1A.LDC; Section 58.110.
Supplemental Setback Regulations and Exceptions
Projections and Recesses in the Traditional City
Within the areas of the City of Orlando designated as the "Traditional City," the R-3D High Intensity Development District allows for limited encroachments into the front yard. Specifically, if approved by the Appearance Review Official, up to 30% of the building frontage may extend up to 20% into the required 10-foot front yard setback (effectively allowing a portion of the building as close as 8 feet to the front property line) [Section 62.600 and Footnote 18].
Water Body and Wetland Setbacks
Regardless of the standard district yard requirements, the City of Orlando imposes a more restrictive minimum principal building setback from natural surface water bodies or retained wetlands. In the R-3D High Intensity Development District, buildings must be set back at least 50 feet from the normal high-water elevation or the boundary of a protected wetland [Footnote 10 following Figure 1A.LDC].
Major Thoroughfare Buffering
When an R-3D High Intensity Development District subdivision site abuts an existing or proposed Major Thoroughfare Street, the City of Orlando requires the use of reverse-frontage lots. These lots must be buffered from the thoroughfare using a 4-foot wall or berm and a landscaped bufferyard [Section 60.127].
Existing Non-Conforming Residential Lots
For existing platted lots in the R-3D High Intensity Development District that are non-conforming in area, width, or depth, the City of Orlando allows a reduced front yard setback of 5 feet for the principal building. However, in these cases, the combined width of all garage doors facing the street cannot exceed 50% of the combined width of all building elevations facing that street [Section 58.1153].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.110 - Table of Zoning District Regulations
- Section 58.241 - Purpose of the Districts (R-3A, R-3B, R-3C, and R-3D)
- Section 58.1153 - Development of Nonconforming Residential Lots
- Section 60.127 - Lot and Block Design on Major Thoroughfares
- Section 62.600 - General Requirements (Traditional City Design Standards)
- Figure 1A.LDC - Table of Zoning District Regulations
- Footnote 10 - Wetland and Water Body Setbacks
- Footnote 18 - Traditional City Projections and Recesses