The provisions of these districts are intended to provide for single family detached dwellings and offices, conveniently located in low-density residential neighborhoods and designed to retain the character of a residential neighborhood. These zoning districts are intended to facilitate redevelopment of residential neighborhoods which have undergone certain radical changes such as widening of a heavily traveled street, or blight, structure obsolescence or maintenance neglect due to the pressures of economic conditions. The RSO District could act as a buffer or transitional zoning district between residential and commercial land uses.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(1), 8-15-80; Ord. No. 2020-34, § 1, 9-22-20)

The establishment of the RSO District shall be considered only pursuant to the following limitations and provisions of the Broward County Future Unincorporated Area Land Use Element Map Series and Article 2 of the Administrative Rules Document: Broward County Land Use Plan for mixture of office and residential dwelling uses:

(1)

Each parcel of land considered for residential-office use must be designated or assigned a residential land use category by the unincorporated area land use plan.

(2)

No contiguous land area used for offices may exceed ten (10) acres.

(3)

Within each flexibility zone, each parcel must be given a commercial designation using the five percent (5%) commercial uses in residential areas, as provided for in the Future Unincorporated Area Land Use Element Map Series, or designated Residential-Office District in the Future Unincorporated Area Land Use Map Series.

Compliance with these requirements shall be verified by the Department prior to acceptance of the rezoning application.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(2), 8-15-80; Ord. No. 2013-04, § 2, 2-12-13)

No building or structure, or part thereof, shall be erected, altered or used, or land and water used, in whole or in part, for other than one of the following uses:

(1)

Professional and business offices such as doctor, dentist, chiropractor, engineer, attorney, architect, planning, accounting, bookkeeping, real estate, stockbroker, insurance, manufacturers agency, governmental, advertising, management consultants or other similar uses compatible to the RSO District.

(2)

Single family detached dwelling.

(3)

Accessory uses and structures.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(3), 8-15-80; Ord. No. 2020-34, § 1, 9-22-20)

The permissible uses enumerated in section 39-1208 above shall not be construed to include, either as a principal or accessory use, any of the following, which are listed for emphasis:

(1)

Sale, display, storage or handling of merchandise on the premises.

(2)

Trade, vocational or private schools.

(3)

Trade or personal service shops, including appliance repair or service, pest control, animal hospital, shoe repair, barbershop or beauty shop.

(4)

Mortuaries.

(5)

Employment agencies.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(4), 8-15-80)

Every plot shall not be less than the minimum plot size required for the abutting residentially zoned district or the existing approved subdivision in which the plot is located; provided, however, that in areas subdivided prior to the effective date of this ordinance, a plot consisting of a lot of record may be utilized for an office or single family dwelling. If, however, subject property directly abuts two or more residentially zoned districts, the plot size shall be the most restrictive requirements of the two residentially zoned districts.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(5), 8-15-80; Ord. No. 2020-34, § 1, 9-22-20)

(a)

The combined area occupied by all main and accessory buildings shall not exceed the maximum plot coverage permissible for the abutting residentially zoned district or not more than 30 percent of the plot.

(b)

At least 35 percent of the plot area shall be used for outdoor living space, patios, swimming pools and landscaping. Such outdoor living space shall be at ground level and properly maintained in lawns, shrubs, patios, swimming pools or other landscaping.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(6), 8-15-80)

No building or structure, or part thereof, shall be erected or altered to a height exceeding the height of the adjacent residentially zoned district or not to exceed 35 feet. Where the height of the structure exceeds 2 stories, the third story shall sit back an additional 10 feet from each required side yard setback.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(7), 8-15-80)

Every plot shall have a front yard not less than the required front yard setback for any abutting residentially zoned district; provided however, no front yard setback shall be less than 25 feet in depth.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(8), 8-15-80)

Every plot shall have a side yard on each side, each of which shall not be less than the same side setback requirement of any abutting residentially zoned district or not less than 10 feet.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(9), 8-15-80)

Upon corner plots, there shall be a front yard as hereinbefore specified, and in addition thereto, a side yard at least 25 feet in width on the side of the plot abutting on the side street. Side yards abutting adjacent streets shall be equal to the front yard setbacks required for residential dwellings located on the same street.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(10), 8-15-80)

Every plot shall have a rear yard not less than 25 feet in depth.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(11), 8-15-80)

There shall be a minimum distance of fifteen (15) feet between any two (2) or more detached structures on the same lot or parcel. The location of accessory swimming pools shall be subject to requirements of Section 39-275 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(12), 8-15-80; Ord. No. 95-50, § 16, 11-28-95; Ord. No. 2013-04, § 2, 2-12-13)

All residential and office buildings shall have the same minimum floor area as required in the adjacent residentially zoned district. If, however, subject property abuts two or more districts, the plot size shall be the most restrictive requirements of the two zoning districts.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(13), 8-15-80)

A seven foot masonry wall finished on the side facing any residential dwelling shall be erected and maintained on any property line abutting any single family zoned property if the property is used for other than residential dwelling. Corner lots shall comply with the site-distance requirements of Section 39-82 of this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(14), 8-15-80; Ord. No. 88-39, § 1, 8-23-88; Ord. No. 2020-34, § 1, 9-22-20)

Existing buildings, not conforming to required setbacks, height limits or plot coverage, may be used for offices but may not be enlarged if this increases the extent of the violation. The amount of outdoor living space or landscaping may be reduced below 35 percent if necessary in such cases.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(15), 8-15-80)

(a)

Except for accessory parking, patios and swimming pools, all uses permitted under Section 39-1208, Uses Permitted, shall be conducted entirely within a completely enclosed building.

(b)

Erection and maintenance of permitted signs shall be subject to compliance with Article VI, "Signs," of this Code.

(c)

Office building design shall be by an architect registered under the laws of Florida, and such that the building substantially resembles a house of residential character.

(d)

All lights and lighting on an office use shall be so designed and arranged as to not cause a direct glare into residentially zoned property.

(e)

There shall be no show windows or display windows, nor shall any window or door be used for display purposes in any building used as permitted in Section 39-1208, Uses Permitted.

(f)

No offstreet parking facilities shall be permitted within 10 feet of the property line abutting any residentially zoned district.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(16), 8-15-80; Ord. No. 2018-15, § 6, 4-10-18; Ord. No. 2020-34, § 1, 9-22-20)

The maximum length of a building shall not exceed 80 feet.

(Ord. No. 80-67, § 1(17), 8-15-80)