Development Services

The Development Services Division is the current planning branch of the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources. In addition to planning, the Development Services Division also:

• Reviews and evaluates zoning and land platting applications.
• Prepares community-based development plans and implementing ordinances as part of the Area Planning process.
• Provides technical assistance to developers and the public.
• Provides support to various boards and committees including: the Developmental Impact Committee, Community Zoning Appeals Boards, Shoreline Development Review Committee, Planning Advisory Board and the Board of County Commissioners.

The three sections of the Development Services Division are:

• Zoning
• Community Planning
• Platting

Senate Bill 102- Implementation and Interpretations

The Florida Legislature recently adopted the Live Local Act, Laws of Florida Ch. 2023-17, which has an effective date of July 1, 2023. The Live Local Act preempts certain County regulations pertaining to the procedures and standards that govern affordable housing developments, to require the County to administratively approve applications for multifamily rental residential developments that meet the statutory qualifications and to prohibit public hearings on such applications.

The qualifying multifamily rental developments must:

1. Be located on property that is currently zoned for commercial, industrial, or mixed uses;
2. Provide a minimum of 40% of its residential units as “affordable” residential units as defined in the Florida Statutes; and
3. If they are mixed-use developments, dedicate a minimum of 65% of the total square footage of the development for residential use.

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a general interpretation and guidance for the implementation of the Live Local Act as it relates to the County’s land use and development processes. Because of the breadth of the changes the legislation makes to the County’s standard development review processes and standards, this interpretation is subject to change as further analysis and implementation occurs. Please see memo re: Senate Bill 102 Implementation and Interpretation.

In October 2020, the Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 20-108 providing for Rural Event Venues in the Agricultural Zoning District (AU). The ordinance defined Rural Event Venues as follows: a venue, located in an agriculturally zoned area, for special functions such as weddings, receptions, corporate meetings or similar gatherings.

On November 19th, 2019 the Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 19-112 comprehensively updating the regulatory framework governing the County airports – Miami International, Miami Executive, Opa Locka Executive and Miami Homestead General. Said ordinance updates the land use, noise and heights/airspace regulations in and around County airports in order to guide development around them, safeguard airport users and neighbors, and secure airport operations and future growth. Additionally said ordinance, which implements and in consistent with Chapter 333 of the Florida Statutes and the applicable Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations, applies to both unincorporated and incorporated areas of the County.

For more department news, visit the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources' homepage.