Setback Standards for the R-2B Residential District in Orlando
In the City of Orlando’s R-2B Residential District, principal buildings must maintain a minimum 20-foot front yard setback, a 5-foot side yard setback, a 15-foot street side yard setback, and a 25-foot rear yard setback. These dimensions represent the standard requirements for 1—5 family dwellings, though specific variations exist for the "Traditional City" overlay and for accessory structures like swimming pools or accessory dwelling units [Figure 1, Chapter 58].
Principal Building Setback Requirements
The City of Orlando establishes the following minimum setbacks for the R-2B: Residential District (1—5 Family District) to ensure the preservation of neighborhood character and adequate open space [Section 58.231].
| Setback Type | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 20 feet |
| Side Yard | 5 feet |
| Street Side Yard | 15 feet |
| Rear Yard | 25 feet |
Traditional City Front Yard Exception
For properties located within the designated "Traditional City" area of the City of Orlando, the Appearance Review Officer may authorize up to 30% of the building frontage of an R-2B Residential District structure to extend up to a maximum of 20% into the required front yard setback. This allows for architectural interest such as projections and recesses [Section 62.600].
Setbacks for Accessory Structures and Features
The R-2B Residential District in the City of Orlando has specific setback rules for structures that are incidental to the principal residence.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Accessory Dwelling Units in the R-2B Residential District must adhere to different standards depending on their configuration:
- Attached ADUs: Must meet the same setbacks as the principal structure.
- Detached ADUs: Generally follow the setbacks for all accessory structures. However, if a detached ADU is larger than 500 square feet, it must comply with the more stringent setbacks required for tandem development [Section 58.501].
Swimming Pools and Spas
In the City of Orlando, swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas in the R-2B Residential District must meet the following minimum distances from property lines:
- Side, Rear, and Alley: 5 feet.
- Street Side: 15 feet.
- Location Relative to House: Must be at least 10 feet behind the front facade of the principal structure.
- Water Bodies: 15 feet from the normal high water line of a natural surface water body or retained wetland [Section 58.958].
Porches and Eaves
The City of Orlando allows certain architectural features to encroach into the standard setbacks of the R-2B Residential District:
- Porches: If a porch meets the standards of the City of Orlando Code, it may encroach up to 6 feet into the required front and street side yard setbacks [Section 58.513].
- Roof Projections (Eaves): These features may extend into a required yard by a maximum of 3 feet, provided they are no lower than 24 inches from the ground [Section 58.1207].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.231: Purpose of the Districts (R-2A and R-2B).
- Figure 1, Chapter 58: Table of Zoning District Regulations.
- Section 58.501: Design Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units.
- Section 58.513: Appearance Review Standards for Townhomes (Encroachments).
- Section 58.958: Locational Requirements (Swimming Pools).
- Section 58.1207: General Requirements (Miscellaneous Yard Requirements).
- Section 62.600: General Requirements (Traditional City Design Standards).