5.1.1

Dimensional standards in the Conservation and Agricultural Districts. All primary and accessory structures in the conservation and agricultural zoning districts are subject to the dimensional standards set forth in Table 5.1-1, Table of Dimensional Standards in the Conservation and Agricultural Zoning Districts. These standards may be further limited or modified by other applicable sections of these LDRs. Rules of measurement and permitted exceptions are set forth in Sections 5.2.1, Lots; 5.2.2, Setbacks and required yards; 5.2.3, Height; and 5.2.4, Bulk.

5.1.2

Dimensional standards in Residential Districts. All primary and accessory structures in the residential zoning districts are subject to the dimensional standards set forth in Table 5.1-2, Table of Dimensional Standards in the Residential Zoning Districts. These standards may be further limited or modified by other applicable sections of these LDRs. Rules of measurement and permitted exceptions are set forth in Sections 5.2.1, Lots; 5.2.2, Setbacks and required yards; 5.2.3, Height; and 5.2.4, Bulk.

¹ Note. Where the use of transitional swales is proposed for subdivisions with lots between 10,000 square feet and 20,000 square feet the minimum lot width shall be 75 feet.

² Note. There are also use-specific regulations for such parks found in Article 4.

5.1.3

Dimensional standards in Business Districts. All primary and accessory structures in the business zoning districts are subject to the dimensional standards set forth in Table 5.1-3, Table of Dimensional Standards in the Business Zoning Districts. Primary and accessory structures in the business zoning districts that are part of a development meeting both the definition of mixed-use development and the criteria established in Section 4.7.2, Applicability and relevant provisions, are exempt from Table 5.1-3, Table of Dimensional Standards in the Business Zoning Districts, and are subject to Table 5.1-4, Table of Dimensional Standards for Mixed-Use Developments. These standards may be further limited or modified by other applicable sections of these LDRs. Rules of measurement and permitted exceptions are set forth in Sections 5.2.1, Lots; 5.2.2, Setbacks and required yards; 5.2.3, Height; and 5.2.4, Bulk.

5.1.4

Dimensional standards for mixed-use developments. All primary and accessory structures in the business zoning districts that are part of a development meeting both the definition of mixed-use development and the criteria established in Section 4.7.2, Applicability and relevant provisions, are subject to the dimensional standards set forth in Table 5.1-4, Table of Dimensional Standards for Mixed-Use Developments in the Business Zoning Districts. These standards may be further limited or modified by other applicable sections of these LDRs. Rules of measurement and permitted exceptions are set forth in Sections 5.2.1, Lots; 5.2.2, Setbacks and required yards; 5.2.3, Height; and 5.2.4, Bulk.

(Ord. No. 09-29, § 3(5.1.2), 9-28-2009; Ord. No. 12-06, § 3, 1-23-2012; Ord. No. 13-06, § 3, 5-6-2013; Ord. No. 13-12, § 3, 8-12-2013; Ord. No. 19-25, § 2(Exh. A), 5-20-2019; Ord. No. 19-31, § 3(Exh. A), 7-22-2019; Ord. No. 22-01, § 3(Exh. A), 10-11-2021; Ord. No. 24-01, § 3(Exh. A), 12-11-2023; Ord. No. 25-05 meeting, §§ 7, 8, 9-8-2025)

5.2.1

Lots.

(A)

Definitions/measurement.

(1)

Lot area. Lot area means the amount of land area, measured horizontally, included within the lines of a lot. Public rights-of-way, parks, open space or schools shall not be included in calculating lot area, except where specifically allowed by these LDRs.

(2)

Lot frontage. Lot frontage means the portion of a lot along a street. For the purpose of determining yard requirements on corner lots and through lots, all sides of a lot adjacent to streets shall be considered frontage, and yards shall be provided as set out in these LDRs.

(3)

Lot line. Lot lines mean the lines bounding a lot as established by ownership.

(4)

Lot depth. Lot depth means the distance between the midpoints of straight lines connecting the foremost points on the side lot lines in the front and the rearmost points of the side lot lines in the rear.

(5)

Lot width. Lot width means the average distance between straight lines connecting front and rear lot lines at each side of the lot, measured as straight lines between the side lot lines at the building setback line and the rear most points of the side lot lines in the rear, provided however, that the width between the side lot lines at their foremost points in the front shall not be less than 80 percent of the required lot width expect in the case of lots on the turning circle of a cul-de-sac, where the width shall not be less than 60 percent of the required width.

(6)

Lot types. Lot types mean corner lots, interior lots, reversed frontage lots, and through lots.

(a)

Corner lot means a lot located at the intersection of two or more streets. A lot abutting on a curved street or streets shall be considered a corner lot if straight lines drawn from the foremost points of the side lot lines to the foremost point of the lot meet at an interior angle of less than 135 degrees.

(b)

Interior lot means a lot other than a corner lot with only one frontage on a street.

(c)

Through lot means a lot other than a corner lot with frontage on more than one street. Through lots abutting two streets may be referred to as "double frontage lots."

(d)

Reversed frontage lot means a lot on which the frontage is at right angles or approximately right angles (interior angle less than 135 degrees) to the general pattern in the area. A reversed frontage lot may also be a corner lot, an interior lot, or a through lot

(B)

General lot requirements.

(1)

Minimum lot dimensions. Any lot that is developed shall meet the minimum lot area, width, and coverage standards established in Sections 5.1.1, Dimensional standards in the conservation and agricultural districts; 5.1.2, Dimensional standards in residential districts, and 5.1.3; Dimensional standards in business districts, for the zoning district in which it is located, except as otherwise established by these LDRs for particular uses.

(2)

Homesteaded lots. (Commentary—Some concerns have been raised about the ability of the City to effectively administer and enforce the existing homestead provision that allows a person owning land in the Agricultural District to convey small lots (lots smaller than the minimum five-acre requirement) to family members. One of the persistent problems City staff has had to deal with under the existing regulation is that individual small lots are conveyed to a family member under the provision, by a metes and bounds description, and then resold to nonfamily members, who then come in and request a building permit for a single-family home to build on a lot that fails to comply with minimum lot requirements; in the past, these nonfamily members have been denied their building permit requests based upon the nonconforming lot size.) The key standards in the review that would have to be demonstrated by an applicant before a homestead parcel is approved would include:

1.

The parcel is a legal lot of record as of January 22, 1992, the effective date of the 2015 Comprehensive Plan;

2.

The parcel is in the A district and has a similar designation on the FLUM of the Comprehensive Plan;

3.

The parent parcel is of adequate size to meet the minimum five acre lot size requirement of the A district after the homestead lot is created;

4.

The applicant has not received approval for a homestead parcel in the preceding three years;

5.

The applicant is conveying the homesteaded portion of the parent parcel to an immediate family member (for the purposes of this section, an applicant's immediate family shall be limited to: a grandparent, parent, stepparent, adopted parent, sibling, child, stepchild, adopted child, or grandchild), and that family member intends to use the parcel for a residence for a minimum period of 12 months from the date of occupancy;

6.

The parent parcel has not been subdivided using the homestead exception process more than a total of three times;

7.

The homestead parcel is at least two acres in size, and meets specified setback and yard requirements for the A district;

8.

Development on the homesteaded parcel is limited to one single-family home and any accessory uses allowable within the A district;

9.

The parcel has access to a public road, either from a public street, private street, or private access easement;

10.

The maximum density standards of the LDRs for the A district is applied to both the parent parcel and the homestead parcel as though they were a single parcel of land (even though a single-family home is allowed on the homestead parcel). If a single-family home on the homestead parcel results in the density on the parent and homestead parcels, when considered together, to exceed the maximum allowable density for the A district, then the parent parcel cannot add additional residential development;

11.

The applicant demonstrates, through the submission of a plan for the homestead lot, the following:

a.

The homestead lot will not cause significant parcel fragmentation;

b.

The homestead lot is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan;

c.

The homestead lot complies with the relevant development standards in the LDRs;

12.

Documentation is recorded that the homesteaded parcel is an approved homestead exception, and subject to all conditions of approval imposed by the BOA.

With the adoption of a procedure for granting of homestead exceptions, there would be no limitations on the sale or conveyance on an approved homestead lot.

(3)

Whenever any land is subdivided, a building permit for the construction of a building or other principal structure (excluding commercial buildings under common ownership or unified control) shall not be issued unless the land is subdivided pursuant to the procedures and standards of these LDRs.

(4)

Lots divided by district lines. Whenever a single lot is located within two or more different zoning districts, each portion of that lot shall be subject to all the regulations applicable to the district in which it is located.

5.2.2

Setbacks and required yards.

(A)

Definitions of measurement.

(1)

Building line means the rear edge of any required front yard or the rear edge of any required setback line.

(2)

Building front yard setback line means the rear edge of any required front yard as specified within these LDRs.

(3)

Right-of-way means land dedicated, deeded, used, or to be used for a street, road, alley, pedestrian way, crosswalk, bikeway, drainage facility, or other public uses, wherein the owner gives up rights to the land so long as it is being or will be used for the dedicated purpose. Right-of-way also is a land measurement term, meaning the distance between lot property lines which generally contain not only the street pavement, but also the sidewalk, grass area, and underground or aboveground utilities.

(4)

Wetland means those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas. The delineation of wetlands has been defined by the uniform statewide methodology adopted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Water Management Districts as outlined in Rule 62-340, Florida Administrative Code, as the rule exists on January 1, 2001. The City shall not be limited by the threshold or connection requirements utilized by these agencies for purposes other than delineation. Standards for wetlands setbacks can be found in the current City of Alachua Comprehensive Plan conservation element policies 1.10g and 1.10f.

(5)

Watercourse means any natural or artificial channel, ditch, canal, stream, river, creek, waterway or wetland through which water flows in a definite direction, either continuously or intermittently and which has a definite channel, bed, bank, or other discrete boundary. Surface water setbacks can be found in the current City of Alachua Comprehensive Plan conservation element policy 1.12.d.

(6)

Yard means a required area unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward, provided however, that fences, walls, poles, posts, and other customary yard accessories, ornaments, and furniture may be permitted in any yard, subject to height limitations and requirements limiting obstruction of visibility.

(7)

Yard, front.

(a)

Definitions. The term "front yard" means the area between the front lot line adjoining a street and any building elevation, extending to any side or rear lot line.

(b)

Through lots. In the case of through lots, unless the prevailing front yard pattern on adjoining lots indicates otherwise, front yards shall be provided on all frontages. Where one of the front yards that would normally be required on a through lot is not in keeping with the prevailing yard pattern, the LDR Administrator may waive the requirement for the normal front yard and substitute a special yard requirement that shall not exceed the average of the yards provided on adjacent lots.

(c)

Corner lots. Solely for the purpose of determining setbacks of corner lots and reverse frontage lots, a front yard setback shall be required on the road frontage facing the primary building's front building facade. For all other frontages, the required front yard setback shall not be less than the minimum side yard setback and shall not conflict with existing public utility easements. In the CC and CI zoning districts, the yard setback on a road frontage shall be no less than five feet.

(8)

Yard, front, depth required, means an area measured at right angles to a straight line joining the foremost points of the side lot lines. In the case of corner lots, an area along road frontages measured at right angles to the foremost point of any adjoining side or rear lot line. The foremost point of the side lot line, in the case of rounded property corners at street intersections, shall be assumed to be the point at which the front lot lines and adjoining side or rear lot lines would have met without such rounding.

(9)

Yard, side, means the area between the side lot line and the side building elevation, not including front yards or rear yards.

(10)

Yard, side, depth required, means an area measured in such a manner that the yard established is a strip of the minimum width required by district regulations with its inner edge parallel with the side lot line.

(11)

Yard, rear, means the area between the rear lot line and the rear building elevation. In the case of through lots, there will be no rear yards, but only front and side yards.

(12)

Yard, rear, depth required, means an area measured in such a manner that the yard established is a strip of the minimum width required by district regulations with its inner edge parallel with the rear lot line.

(13)

Yard, waterfront, means a yard measured from and parallel to the mean high-water mark of the lake, stream, or other watercourse on which the lot is located.

(B)

General setback requirements.

(1)

Setback from wetlands and watercourses.

(a)

Wetlands setbacks. The City shall require natural vegetative buffers around wetlands to protect the fragile ecosystems they sustain. Buffers, measured from the outer edge of the wetland shall be created as established by Policy 1.10h, Comprehensive Plan conservation element. Alternative buffers may be considered in accordance with Policy 1.10h, Comprehensive Plan conservation element.

(b)

Surface water setbacks. The City shall require buffers for development along surface water bodies. Buffers shall be measured from the outer edge of the water body, and created as established in Policy 1.12d, Comprehensive Plan conservation element. Alternative buffers may be considered in accordance with Policy 1.12e, Comprehensive Plan conservation element.

(2)

Special right-of-way requirements.

(a)

Arterial and collector roads. For all new arterial and collector roads, extra right-of-way, as provided within the Florida Department of Transportation Bicycle Facilities Planning and Design Handbook, shall be provided for integrated or parallel bicycle ways or lanes.

(b)

Setback from collector and arterial roads. All new structures shall provide a minimum setback of 75 feet as measured from the centerline of the right-of-way for new or realigned collector or arterial roads.

(3)

Accessory use locations. Accessory uses and structures shall meet the requirements specified in Section 4.4.2(E), Location of accessory buildings, structures, or vehicles.

(4)

Fences, walls and hedges. Notwithstanding other provisions of these LDRs, fences, walls, and hedges may be permitted in any required yard or along the edge of any yard; provided that no solid fence, solid wall, or hedge located within the required front yard shall constitute an obstruction to visibility between 2.5 and eight feet above the centerline grade of the adjacent street.

(5)

Sight triangles. Uses and structures shall be set back in accordance with the standards in Section 7.2.6, Visibility clearance.

(C)

Allowable yard encroachments. Every part of every required yard shall be open and unobstructed from the ground to the sky except as provided in the table below or as otherwise permitted in these LDRs:

5.2.3

Height.

(A)

Definitions/measurements.

(1)

Building height means the vertical distance measured from the finished floor elevation of a building to the highest point of the roof surface of a flat roof, to the deck line of a mansard or Bermuda roof, to the mean height level between eaves and ridge of gable, hip, cone, gambrel and shed roofs, and to a height three-fourths of the distance from the ground to the apex of A-frame and dome roofs, as depicted in the diagram below.

(2)

Exclusions from height limitations, included in Sections 5.1.1 through 5.1.3, do not apply to spires, belfries, cupolas, antennas, water tanks, ventilators, chimneys, elevator shaft enclosures, airport control towers, observation towers or other appurtenances usually required to be placed above the roof level and, excepting airport control towers and observation towers, not intended for human occupancy; however, the heights of these structures or appurtenances thereto shall not exceed any height limitations prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration.

(3)

Grade means the level of the finished ground surface immediately adjacent to the exterior walls of a building.

(B)

Special height requirements in the CI and CP zoning districts.

(1)

All structures that are not excluded from height limitations in Section 5.2.3(A)(2) shall comply with the maximum height requirements found in Table 5.1-3.

(2)

Any proposed increase in height above the permitted maximum shall require a special exception permit, which must demonstrate consistency with the special exception standards found in Section 2.4.4(D) and the additional standard below:

(a)

The proposed structure shall not be located within 100 feet of a property boundary of a residential zoning district or a single-family or two-family use.

5.2.4

Bulk.

(A)

Definitions of measurements.

(1)

Density, gross residential, means the number of residential dwelling units permitted per gross acre of land and is determined by dividing the number of units by the total area of land within the boundaries of a lot or parcel including dedicated rights-of-way except as otherwise provided for in these LDRs. In the determination of the number of residential units to be permitted on a specific parcel of land, a fractional unit shall not entitle the applicant to additional units.

(2)

Density, net residential, means the total number of dwelling units on a particular tract or parcel of land, not taking into account lands used for open space, rights-of-way, or other nonbuildable areas of the tract or parcel.

(3)

Lot coverage means the percentage of the lot covered by buildings and all other impervious surfaces including accessory structures. It is calculated by dividing the square footage of all buildings and impervious surfaces, as measured from the outside of the structures at ground level, by the lot area.

(4)

Floor area means, except as may be otherwise indicated in relation to particular districts and uses, the sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of a building measured from the exterior faces of the exterior walls or from the centerline of walls separating two buildings, excluding attic areas with a headroom of less than seven feet, unenclosed stairs or fire escapes, elevator structures, cooling towers, areas devoted to air conditioning, ventilating or heating or other building machinery and equipment, parking structures and basement space where the ceiling is not more than 48 inches above the general finished and graded level of the adjacent part of the lot.

(5)

Floor area ratio means the ratio of floor area to the size of the lot.

(Ord. No. 13-12, § 3, 8-12-2013; Ord. No. 19-31, § 3(Exh. A), 7-22-2019; Ord. No. 25-05 meeting, § 7, 9-8-2025)