Growth Management Department

Current Planning and Zoning Division

Stakeholder Interview Summary - Unified Code Project
Land Development Review List of Changes May 2008
Land Development Regulations - Public Review Draft
Land Development Review List of Changes November 2008
Land Development Regulations Meeting Agenda for Friday November 21, 2008

The Current Planning and Zoning Division is part of the Growth Management Department and consists of the Development Review Committee, the Board of Zoning Appeals and other zoning services.

The Development Review Committee (DRC) is a nine member committee responsible for site plan review for specific types of development to ensure compliance with all appropriate land development regulations and consistency with the comprehensive plan.

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is a five-member board responsible for granting Special Exceptions, Variances and Zoning Official Administrative Appeals.

In addition, the Division provides the following services:

  • Fence and Special Event Permits
  • Temporary Advertising Device Permits
  • Model Home Flag Permits
  • Zoning Verification, Flood Elevation, & Letters of No Objection

This Division also reviews all building permits for compliance with the Charlotte County Zoning Regulations.

The Zoning Regulations

Provides all the answers for all your zoning questions, and what you don’t understand can be answered by a Zoning Technician who can be reached at (941) 743-1964. A copy of the Zoning Regulations can be purchased at the Charlotte County Administration Center, Bldg B, Room 105, for a fee of $30.00. Or, you may view the code online.

Landscaping

Any development, other than single family or two unit residential development, is required to submit a landscape plan, signed and sealed by a landscape architect, for approval by the Growth Management Department.  Landscape Plans FAQ

Depending on the complexity of the plans and the degree to which the plans are in compliance, a review can take approximately 1 to 4 days to complete. Plans that are not approvable must be revised to come into minimum compliance with Charlotte County Code and be resubmitted for review prior to approval.

Trees

All proposed site development must first obtain a Charlotte County Tree Permit approved by the Growth Management Department before any clearing of the site may begin. (Please note that compliance with the landscaping does not or may not fully meet tree point requirements). Depending on the complexity of the plans and the degree to which the plans are in compliance, a review can take approximately 1 to 5 days to complete. Plans that are not approvable must be revised to come into minimum compliance with Charlotte County Code and be resubmitted for review prior to approval.  Tree Permit Basics Brochure

Environmental

Currently, environmental staff reviews commercial and single family building permits; dock, lift, seawall, rip-rap and pier permits; large and small scale excavations, including ponds; and all miscellaneous tree permits. Any permit that falls into environmentally sensitive areas are also sent to the environmental staff for additional review. Staff also provides comments for various boards, including but not limited to, special exceptions, variances, re-zonings, etc. Environmental permit reviews and comments take approximately 1-5 days, depending upon the amount of reviews submitted to the County and whether or not the permit will require a site inspection.

  • “Where can I put my shed? How big can it be?”
  • “Where can I set up my landscaping business?”
  • “I want to put up a new sign on my business, how big can it be?”
  • How big can I build my home on this lot?

All these questions and more can be answered in the Zoning Regulations. The current Charlotte County Zoning Regulations became effective in 1981. Since then, there have been significant changes within the County. The County has experienced population growth, increased development (commercial & residential) as well as increased demand and utilization of infrastructure. The existing code is outdated, wordy and vague and does not clearly address the County’s current and future needs. The County has contacted with Code Studio to re-draft the zoning/land development code into an easily enforceable, customer friendly regulatory policy with streamlined, clear regulations and/or requirements.

Stay Tuned!

Since the public kick-off meeting, the consultant has been working with staff to address some of the concerns and issues regarding the code (see attached document #1). As a result of the numerous meetings with existing advisory committees, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), staff and the February 1, 2007 public meeting, the consultant is currently working on a number of changes (see attached document #2). As the project proceeds, there will be a draft document for public review as well as another public workshop with the consultant to work out the final changes (TBA). Although all issues may or may not be completely resolved, the intent is to adopt an ordinance that is clear and conscience and reflects the current and potential future need of the County .