Growth Management Department
Charlotte County's Comprehensive Plan
How to Obtain or View a Copy of The Comprehensive Plan: Currently the Comprehensive Plan is undergoing editing. Many revisions were adopted as part of the Evaluation and Appraisal Report amendments to the Plan. These revisions were shown with strikeouts and underlines of the text. The Growth Management Department is in the process of removing the strikeouts and underlines so that clean versions can be created.
- Click Here To View On-Line or See Ordering Instructions Below
- To order a copy: You can obtain a Computer Disk (CD) of the Comprehensive Plan but, until the editing is complete, some of the elements you will be given will contain the strikeouts and underlines. Please call 941.764.4903 if you wish to obtain a CD version of the adopted Plan.
Note: A copy of the Charlotte County Comprehensive Plan with maps and supporting documentation is available for viewing in the Planning & Zoning office at the Charlotte County Administration Center.
According to the state legislation, local comprehensive plans should do four main things: 
- Guide and control future development;
- Overcome present problems and deal effectively with future problems which may result from the use and development of land;
- Preserve, protect and improve health, safety and welfare; and
- Protect human, environmental, social and economic resources.
The Comprehensive Plan has the force of law and governs many decisions that affect the development of land.
Developing the Comprehensive Plan
There are several major components to the development of a Comprehensive Plan. An analysis of past, present and future conditions in the community serves as the basis of the plan. Citizen input, through workshops and hearings, is used to develop a community vision as to where the community wants to go in the future. The plan is divided into various elements that deal with specific aspects of the community's development such as transportation, land use, and the environment. Goals, objectives and policies are developed for each element to articulate the community's vision. These goals, objectives and policies become the heart of the plan and future decisions must be consistent with these provisions.
The Future Land Use Map (FLUM)
A future land use map must also be developed, depicting the future land uses planned for the community over a 20 year period. The map depicts locations and sites for future residential, commercial, industrial and other types of development. This map is legally binding and helps residents visualize where growth is planned to occur.
Zoning & Land Development Regulations
All local government land development regulations must be consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan and its goals, objectives and policies. This includes zoning regulations and subdivision ordinances. The zoning districts indicated on the zoning map and the uses allowed by those districts must be consistent with the adopted Future Land Use Map. Rezonings may periodically be necessary to bring the zoning map into compliance.
A brand new element, mandated by the State, is also being created and must be adopted by the County and approved by the State by December 1, 2008.
- Public School Facilities
