Residential Development Standards Guide

Overview

If you are a homeowner or developer interested in building housing, the following steps will help you get started:

• Find your property's zoning category. Lots zoned Planned Development (PD) have site-specific requirements that may be different from what’s included on this page. Please contact the City Planning Division for details.
• Review the development standards for the housing type chosen and the standards that apply to all housing types.
• Prepare a draft site plan that meets the standards.
• Review our Residential Permitting Guide.
• For one unit, your next step is usually to work with a design professional to prepare construction plans and submit a building permit application. For two or more units, review by the City Planning Division may be required before construction plans are finalized.

If you have questions, contact the City Planning Division at 407.246.2269 or cityplanning@orlando.gov.

NOTE: The information on this page is provided for reference purposes only. If there are any conflicts between this page and the City Code, the City Code requirements apply.

Development Standards for Specific Housing Types

The zoning tables identify which zoning districts allow each housing type, as well as information such as maximum building heights and building setbacks from the property line. In addition, each housing type described below has unique zoning requirements.

• One detached dwelling unit on a separate lot
• Allowed in residential zoning districts
• Standards are found in the zoning tables and zoning overlays. Lots smaller than the minimum size standards might be nonconforming and have additional rules.

• A small apartment located on a single family lot, typically in the back yard and often over a garage
• Allowed on most single family lots
• ADU standards
• ADU reference guide 

• Two attached dwelling units
• Not allowed in R-1 zoning districts
• Duplex & tandem reference guide(PDF, 6MB)
• Duplex & tandem standards

• Two detached dwelling units on a lot that is large enough to allow a duplex
• Not allowed in R-1 zoning districts
• Duplex & tandem reference guide(PDF, 6MB)
• Duplex & tandem standards

• Three or more attached dwelling units, each on a separate lot
• Not allowed in R-1 districts or the R-2A district
• Townhome standards

• Three to eight small apartment units
• Not allowed in R-1 districts or the R-2A district
• Multiplex standards

• Eight or more apartment units
• Not allowed in R-1 districts or the R-2A or R-2B districts
• Multifamily standards

Development Standards for All Housing Types

All housing types must meet the following zoning code requirements:

• Landscaping, tree preservation, and street trees
• Parking standards
• Sidewalks
• Stormwater
  • Technical requirements
  • Tips for creating a rain garden
• Floodplain requirements, if applicable
• Bufferyard requirements, if applicable
• Zoning overlays information will help you research the zoning district for the property. Look for additional letters after the name of the zoning district:
  • /HP is a Historic District
  • /T is the Traditional City Overlay
  • /SP is a Special Plan Overlay
  • /PH is the Parramore Heritage Overlay
  • /AR is an Appearance Review District
  • /AN is the Aircraft Noise Overlay
  • /W is the Wekiva Overlay
  • /RP is the Resource Protection Overlay

There are also zoning requirements for accessory structures:

• Accessory buildings (sheds, detached garages, accessory dwelling units)
• Fences and walls
• Pools
• Wooden decks and patios
• Docks
• Mechanical equipment

After planning your site, review the applicable Permitting Checklists, prepare construction plans and apply for building permits.