Growth Management Department
Charlotte County's Comprehensive Plan
The Comprehensive Plan has four main functions:
- 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.
The County will not distribute paper copies of the Comprehensive Plan. The plan can be viewed online or you may obtain a computer disc.
- View the Comprehensive Plan Online
- To order a copy of the adopted Comprehensive Plan on a Computer Disc (CD), please call 941.764.4903.
Charlotte County is currently working on a rewrite of the Comprehensive Plan. Visit the Smart Charlotte 2050 pages and involve yourself in this community-based planning process.
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.
Population Projections 2008-2050
Population and Employment Projections Technical Memo
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.
