Zoning in Progress Ordinance
The Board of County Commissioners has approved an updated Zoning in Progress Ordinance on October 29, 2024, in anticipation of Vision 2050 & Orange Code (www.ocfl.net/vision2050) adoption which is anticipated to occur late Spring or early Summer, 2025. The "Zoning in Progress" Ordinance suspends the acceptance of new applications for rezoning (Planned Development and conventional rezoning requests), Future Land Use Map Amendments, and Special Exceptions (processed through the Zoning Division) until July 7, 2025, unless rescinded sooner.
Variances and Special Exceptions
Please note, while Variance applications continue to be accepted at this time, Orange County intends to adopt a new comprehensive plan (“Vision 2050”) and updated regulations, including zoning, signage, landscaping, arbor, urban design and subdivision regulations among others (“Orange Code”) that will become effective in late mid-July 2025. Please be aware that the requirements of Vision 2050 and Orange Code may impact any variance or special exception granted under the current zoning regulations. Variances or special exceptions granted prior to the adoption of Orange Code could fail to meet the requirements of Orange Code and preclude an applicant from complying with Orange Code’s requirements for the issuance of a building permit or other development permit.
While your case planner may provide some information about how your application fits into the proposed Orange Code, your case planner cannot predict whether any granted variance or special exception will ultimately be required to comply with the requirements of Orange Code. Applications for variances and special exceptions are subject to a lengthy process of review and approvals; and applicants apply for building permits and other development permits are varying points in time. In addition, Vision 2050 and Orange Code are draft documents that have not been approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Case planners do not have advance knowledge of which provisions of Orange Code the Board of County Commissioners will select to become a part of the new zoning regulations. For more information click the following link: www.ocfl.net/vision2050.
Zoning and Building Permits
Please note Orange County intends to adopt a new comprehensive plan (“Vision 2050”) and updated regulations, including zoning, signage, landscaping, arbor, urban design and subdivision regulations among others (“Orange Code”), which are expected to become effective in early to mid-July, 2025. Please be aware that the requirements of Vision 2050 and Orange Code may impact any land development permit application submitted after the adoption date. In order to ensure a project is evaluated under the County’s current zoning regulations, a permit application must be submitted and deemed sufficient before the effective date of Vision 2050 and Orange Code. Any application submitted after the effective date of Vision 2050 and Orange Code will be reviewed consistent with the County’s newly adopted regulations. Special exception or variance requests allowed under current regulations may no longer be allowed upon the effectiveness of Orange Code and should be reviewed carefully.
Vision 2050 and Orange Code are draft documents that have not yet been approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Currently, the final adoption public hearing for both is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Following their adoption, the ordinances will become effective following state review and consistent with Chapter 163, Florida Statutes. For more information, including an up-to-date schedule on the ordinances related to Vision 2050 and Orange Code, please visit www.ocfl.net/vision2050.
Permits that do not require review under the zoning regulations and are only subject to the Florida Building Code are not affected by this notice. Examples may include, but are not limited to permits for windows, doors, roofing, etc.
To learn more about Orange Code and how to use it, please view our recent webinar!