Setback Standards for the MXD-2: Mixed Residential Office District in the City of Orlando

The City of Orlando's MXD-2: Mixed Residential Office District mandates a standard minimum front yard setback of 20 feet and a rear yard setback of 25 feet for principal buildings. For side boundaries within the City of Orlando, the MXD-2 district utilizes a flexible minimum setback of either 0 or 3 feet, while providing for a maximum side yard setback of 25 feet within the Traditional City. Street-facing side yards in this district require a minimum buffer of 15 feet.

Principal Building Setbacks for MXD-2

In the City of Orlando, the MXD-2: Mixed Residential Office District is designed to support high-density residential and high-rise mixed-use development [Section 58.261]. The specific placement of structures on a development site is governed by the following technical setback requirements:

Boundary Type	Minimum Setback Requirement	Maximum Setback Requirement
Front Yard	20 feet	Not Applicable (No base maximum)
Side Yard	0 or 3 feet	25 feet (Inside Traditional City)
Street Side Yard	15 feet	Not Applicable (No base maximum)
Rear Yard	25 feet	Not Applicable

District-Specific Requirements and Adjustments

The MXD-2: Mixed Residential Office District is subject to several interpretive rules and potential modifications based on its location within the City of Orlando and the nature of the development.

Traditional City Adjustments

If a property in the MXD-2: Mixed Residential Office District is located within the "Traditional City" overlay, the Appearance Review Officer may permit the principal structure to extend up to 20% into the required front yard setback. This exception applies to up to 30% of the building frontage and is intended to encourage varied building planes and architectural recesses [Chapter 58, Footnote 18].

Side Yard and Corner Lot Conditions

The "0 or 3 foot" side yard minimum in the MXD-2: Mixed Residential Office District provides flexibility for building attachment or separation. Additionally, for developments on corner lots, the City of Orlando may grant an exemption from the maximum side setback requirements (25 feet) if the Planning Official determines that design restrictions, such as the accommodation of parking or drive aisles, necessitate such relief [Chapter 58, Footnote 38].

Appearance and Compatibility

All new development, additions, or remodeling in the MXD-2: Mixed Residential Office District must undergo an appearance review. This process ensures that the scale and proportions of new construction relate to nearby buildings, even if the new structure is larger in square footage [Section 62.307]. Principal entrances for offices in mixed-use developments should be oriented to maintain the character of the surrounding City of Orlando neighborhood [Section 62.305].

Sections Cited