Orlando’s comprehensive plan is called the Growth Management Plan. It describes the city’s vision for the future and translates that vision into policies, programs and public investments. This policy document is adopted by City Council.
Changes to the text must be submitted to the Florida Department of Commerce for approval. Chapter and individual Elements are organized as shown below. No single Element, Goal, Objective, Policy or Figure should be considered in isolation; rather, they should be considered as part of a whole to achieve Orlando’s overall community vision.
GMP Amendment Process
All new development must be consistent with the goals, objectives, policies and maps in the GMP policy document. If a development proposal is not consistent, a GMP amendment may be required. Applicants wishing to request a GMP amendment should contact the Planning Division at 407.246.2269 or cityplanning@orlando.gov to schedule a pre-application meeting.
Most GMP amendments for projects less than 50 acres in size are small scale amendments. All other projects are large scale amendments. Please check with staff to determine if a project is large scale or small scale. A general schedule of the large scale review process is provided below.
GMP Growth Projections
In order to estimate demand for services, the City projects population, employment, and land-use growth through the year 2050.
- GMP 2024 to 2050 Growth Projections Report Document(PDF, 15MB)
- Appendix A: Housing Unit Growth(PDF, 299KB)
- Appendix B: Population Growth(PDF, 270KB)
- Appendix C: Office Space Growth(PDF, 189KB)
- Appendix D: Retail Space Growth(PDF, 191KB)
- Appendix E: Hotel Room Growth(PDF, 171KB)
- Appendix F: Industrial Space Growth(PDF, 180KB)
- Appendix G: Hospital Space Growth(PDF, 168KB)
- Appendix H: Civic Government Space Growth(PDF, 179KB)
- Appendix I: Employment Projections(PDF, 196KB)
- Appendix J: Service Population Growth(PDF, 132KB)
- Appendix K: Current Plans and Projects List 2024(PDF, 510KB)
- Appendix L: 2040 Traffic Zone Maps(PDF, 12MB)
GMP Indicators
Each year, the city evaluates progress toward reaching the goals of the GMP by preparing an indicators report.
See the Laserfiche Public Portal for prior years. The Indicators Report is typically on the March MPB agendas. Use the corresponding case number to proceed with a public records request.
Orlando’s vision for a truly vibrant, livable, and inclusive community focuses on economic opportunity, the creation and preservation of our neighborhoods and their beautiful amenities, as well as thoughtful placemaking that fully recognizes the needs and desires of people of all ages. We truly wish to be an age-friendly “community for a lifetime”. Through this GMP, Orlando will consciously and conscientiously shape development patterns to achieve interrelated objectives: high quality infill development and redevelopment. Orlando’s vision for the future is noble, and the stakes are high. Through this document, Orlando will continue to work toward a strong, regionally focused growth-management program that recognizes Orlando’s historic and future role as the Central Florida region’s residential, employment, and cultural core.
Download the GMP Chapter 1 Guide(PDF, 10MB)
To grow as a vibrant, livable, and inclusive community we must ensure that new development continues to contribute to and create lively places. We must provide residents of all incomes, ages, and abilities with the things they need to live healthy lives including a wide variety of housing, transportation, recreation, cultural, and economic opportunities. And we need to continue to preserve and create new neighborhoods that exemplify Orlando as the “City Beautiful”. The framework and building blocks for doing so are contained in this Chapter.
The Future Land Use Element provides policies aimed at ensuring a high-quality living environment by encouraging compatible land uses and appropriate land use transitions, protecting the natural environment, and providing facilities and services that meet the social and economic needs of the city. This element gives us guidelines for how to develop and improve these areas, keeping their unique qualities intact, revitalizing areas in need, and making room for growth in a way that fits with our collective vision.
The purpose of the Housing Element is to set out policies to encourage different types of housing throughout the city. It gives us the principles, rules, and strategies we need to make sure there's plenty of good housing for everyone who lives here, as our population grows and changes.
The Preservation & Design Element provides a clear direction for preserving historic resources, promoting quality development, and creating vibrant spaces that enhance quality of life. The main goal is to maintain and enhance Orlando's unique character for the enjoyment of residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
The Parks, Recreation & Open Space Element establishes guidelines for parks and open space areas to meet current residents' needs and anticipate future recreational demands as the City grows. With increasing population density, the availability of land for park expansion diminishes, even as the demand for parks continues to rise.
The Cultural Arts Element contains policies and strategies to articulate the importance of, and promote opportunities for, the arts in Orlando. The goal is to help foster a civic environment where artistic expression and cultural diversity can flourish, where the influence of arts on the local economy is recognized, and where local government and City leaders legitimize the arts as an essential component of civic support, funding, and decision-making.
Finally, the Property Rights Element is intended to ensure that private property rights are considered in local decision-making. Transparency, predictability, and reliability are three strategies for implementing land use rules in a way that benefits people and respects property rights.
Download the GMP Chapter 2 Guide(PDF, 39MB)
Orlando strives to provide an efficient citywide transportation system that prioritizes the safety, accessibility, and comfort for all ages and abilities. Pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, drivers, and airplane passengers will all have a comfortable, safe, and efficient experience navigating Orlando. These safe and convenient mobility options will help residents and visitors alike get around in our future-ready city.
To meet this vision, the Transportation Element sets goals for repurposing streets, supportive land use policies, equity, technology, innovation, and more. Orlando must plan for transportation alternatives in anticipation of significant future growth. The core principles of this element are consistent with Smart Growth America and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) strategies to ensure our streets meet the needs of all users in safety and efficiency.
Download the GMP Chapter 3 Guide(PDF, 8MB)
The City of Orlando is committed to providing its citizens, businesses, and visitors with highly reliable, well-maintained, efficient, and environmentally sustainable, resilient, and responsible infrastructure services. This Chapter contains the core infrastructure elements of the GMP, including guidance for the provision of water-related services and solid waste services.
The Stormwater & Aquifer Recharge Element reviews and analyzes the City’s stormwater management programs to establish goals, objectives, and policies to protect water quality and quantity. Orlando seeks to halt the degradation of our over 120 lakes and minimize flooding with a high-quality stormwater management program.
Orlando’s Potable Water Element will protect the supply of fresh water and ensure that sufficient water is available for current needs and future growth. The element will also access the capital facility needs for the water system including the transmission, distribution, and plant components needed for fresh drinking water.
The Wastewater Element plans for the capital needs of wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal. This element helps guide future service to accommodate the steady growth occurring in Orlando.
The City’s Solid Waste Element addresses the material and financial needs of the Solid Waste Service. Goals in this element seek to minimize the environmental impacts of waste generated in Orlando and identify a Level of Service standard to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of Orlando’s residents and visitors.
Download the GMP Chapter 4 Guide(PDF, 23MB)
Dedicated to the creation of a sustainable, vibrant, and environmentally conscious community, as the city grows, it is essential to find a balance between development and the protection ofour natural environment. This balance ensures that Orlando can continue to serve while preserving the natural beauty and resources that define our community. By thoughtfully integrating growth with environmental stewardship, the city can foster an urban landscape where both human progress and nature coexist harmoniously.
As such, the Conservation Element provides a framework that emphasizes sustainable management and the protection of our natural resources from urban pressures and environmental challenges. A focus is placed on collaborative efforts, regulatory strategies, and innovative practices to maintain and enhance the ecological functions of the natural environment. Our goal is to preserve these assets so that they continue to offer recreational opportunities, support biodiversity, and foster a healthy community for generations to come.
Download the GMP Chapter 5 Guide(PDF, 9MB)
The City of Orlando’s mission is to deliver public services in a knowledgeable, responsive, and financially responsible manner. We strive each day to fulfill that mission through transparency and open communication. The Growth Management Plan guides Orlando to a dynamic and sustainable future for generations of residents and visitors to enjoy.
Efficient government is the key principle guiding our capital budgeting and the provision of services. Orlando’s Capital Improvement Element (CIE) identifies needed capital improvements and ensures that public facilities and services are available concurrently with the impacts of development, maintaining the adopted level of service standards. The projects must be feasible and fiscally responsible, programmed, and completed in a timely manner to accommodate future growth.
To effectively coordinate with adjacent municipalities and other local, regional, and state agencies, Orlando has adopted the Intergovernmental Coordination Element. The successful implementation of comprehensive planning policies requires mutual recognition of problems and policies for corrective action amongst all affected parties.
The Public School Facilities Element recognizes that schools form the cornerstone of neighborhoods and quality community planning and design. The City of Orlando is dedicated to supporting Orange County Public Schools in their endeavor to create and maintain a high-quality public education system.
Finally, this chapter includes a Monitoring & Evaluation Section which identifies monitoring, updating, and evaluation procedures as described in Florida Statutes.
Download the GMP Chapter 6 Guide(PDF, 5MB)