Orlando Site Plan Requirements & Permit Guide (2025)

By Site Plan Creator Team •

Guide to creating site plans for building permits in Orlando, including the Land Development Code requirements and Central Florida development standards.

Orlando Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Orlando, Florida requires meeting specific requirements set by the Permitting Services Division within the Office of Permits and Licensing. Orlando's development is governed by the Land Development Code (LDC) Chapter 65 and the Florida Building Code, with special considerations for hurricane protection, stormwater management, and the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) regulations.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does Orlando Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. The Permitting Services Division requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with Chapter 65 (LDC) of the Orlando City Code and the Florida Building Code. Look up your property's zoning through the city's GIS portal at orlando.gov/maps.

Required Site Plan Elements

Orlando requires the following elements on all site plans:

  • Property boundaries with accurate dimensions and total lot area
  • Setbacks from all property lines per LDC Chapter 65, Part 3
  • Location of all existing structures with square footage, height, and use
  • Proposed construction clearly distinguished from existing structures
  • Finished floor elevation (FFE) relative to Base Flood Elevation
  • Flood zone designation with FEMA panel number
  • Impervious surface ratio (ISR) calculation
  • Floor area ratio (FAR) for applicable districts
  • Parking spaces per LDC Chapter 65, Part 8
  • Driveways and access with dimensions and sight triangles
  • Tree survey showing all protected trees (4 inches+ caliper for trees, 12 inches+ DBH for specimen trees)
  • Landscaping plan per LDC Chapter 65, Part 7
  • North arrow and scale
  • Orange County Property Appraiser parcel ID

Orlando Zoning and Setback Requirements

Orlando's LDC establishes the following common residential districts:

  • R-1A (Single-Family, 7,500 sq ft lot): Front 25 feet, side 7.5 feet, rear 20 feet. Maximum ISR 45%. Maximum height 35 feet.
  • R-1AA (Single-Family, 9,000 sq ft lot): Front 25 feet, side 7.5 feet, rear 25 feet. Maximum ISR 40%. Maximum height 35 feet.
  • R-1AAA (Estate, 12,500 sq ft lot): Front 30 feet, side 10 feet, rear 25 feet. Maximum ISR 35%.
  • R-2 (Duplex): Front 25 feet, side 7.5 feet, rear 25 feet. Maximum ISR 50%.
  • R-3 (Multi-Family): Front 25 feet, side 10 feet, rear 25 feet. Maximum ISR 55%.
  • Corner lots: Street-side setback is 15 feet for most residential zones.

Orlando also has Traditional City Overlay and Southeast Orlando Specific Plan areas with modified standards.

Flood Zone Requirements

Orlando has significant flood risk areas due to its lake system and low-lying terrain:

  • FEMA flood zones: AE, AH, AO, and X zones throughout the city, particularly around the chain of lakes
  • Elevation requirements: New residential construction must be elevated at least 1 foot above BFE per the Florida Building Code. Orlando recommends 18 inches above BFE
  • Lake setbacks: Special setbacks apply to properties adjacent to lakes and conservation areas
  • Substantial improvement: Improvements exceeding 50% of market value trigger full flood compliance
  • Your site plan must show flood zone designation, BFE, proposed FFE, and relationship to any adjacent water bodies

Tree Protection Requirements

Orlando's Tree Protection Ordinance (LDC Chapter 65, Part 7) protects significant trees:

  • Protected trees: All trees 4 inches+ caliper (measured at 4.5 feet) on properties subject to development review
  • Specimen trees: Trees 12 inches+ DBH — highest protection level; removal requires strong justification and enhanced mitigation
  • Grand trees: Trees 36 inches+ DBH — the most protected category with very limited removal allowances
  • Tree survey: Certified arborist survey required for all regulated development sites
  • Mitigation: Removed protected trees require replacement at specified caliper-inch ratios or payment into the Tree Trust Fund
  • Protection barriers: Required during construction at the Critical Root Zone (CRZ) of preserved trees

Stormwater Management Requirements

Orlando's stormwater requirements are governed by the LDC and SJRWMD regulations:

  • SJRWMD Environmental Resource Permit: Required for projects creating more than 4,000 sq ft of impervious surface or disturbing more than 1 acre
  • Water quality treatment: Required for all regulated projects, typically using wet detention ponds, dry retention, or swale systems
  • Detention standards: Must attenuate the 25-year, 24-hour storm to pre-development rates
  • Lake protection: Enhanced treatment required for properties draining to Orlando's chain of lakes
  • Stormwater utility fee: Monthly fee based on impervious surface area

ADU Requirements in Orlando

Orlando permits Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in residential zones:

  • ADUs permitted in single-family and duplex zones on qualifying lots
  • Setbacks: Must meet the base zoning district's setback requirements (typically 7.5-foot side and 20-foot rear)
  • Size limits: Cannot exceed 50% of the primary dwelling's floor area or 750 sq ft, whichever is less
  • Height: Limited to the height of the primary dwelling
  • Parking: One additional off-street parking space required
  • Owner occupancy: The property owner must occupy either the primary dwelling or the ADU

How to Submit Your Site Plan

ePlan Review Portal

Submit through Orlando's ePlan Review portal at orlando.gov/permits for electronic plan review. Upload plans in PDF format, pay fees, and track your application.

In-Person Submission

Walk-in service at 400 S. Orange Avenue, 1st Floor, Orlando, FL 32801 for questions and plan submission.

Permit Fees and Timeline

  • Plan review fees: Based on project valuation per the Permitting Services fee schedule
  • Building permit fees: Calculated from construction valuation and square footage
  • Impact fees: Transportation, school, fire, parks, law enforcement, and water/sewer impact fees for new construction
  • SJRWMD permit fees: For projects requiring Environmental Resource Permits
  • Timeline: Residential plan review 10-15 business days. Commercial 20-30 business days. SJRWMD permit review adds 30-60 days. Simple residential may qualify for express same-day review.

Creating Your Orlando Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Orlando property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for Permitting Services submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in Orlando?
In R-1A zones (most common), front setbacks are 25 feet, side setbacks 7.5 feet, and rear setbacks 20 feet with 45% maximum ISR. R-1AAA estate lots require 30-foot front and 10-foot side setbacks. Corner lots require 15-foot street-side setbacks. Always verify through Orlando's GIS portal for any overlay district modifications.
What flood zone requirements affect my site plan?
New residential construction must be elevated at least 1 foot above BFE per the Florida Building Code, with 18 inches recommended by Orlando. Properties near lakes have additional lake setback requirements. Your site plan must show flood zone, BFE, proposed FFE, and relationship to adjacent water bodies. Improvements over 50% of market value trigger full compliance.
What tree protection is required?
Orlando protects trees at three levels: protected (4 inches+ caliper), specimen (12 inches+ DBH), and grand (36 inches+ DBH). A certified arborist survey is required for all regulated development. Removed trees require replacement at specified caliper-inch ratios or Tree Trust Fund payment. Protection barriers are required at the CRZ during construction.
What stormwater management is required?
SJRWMD Environmental Resource Permits are required for projects creating more than 4,000 sq ft of impervious surface or disturbing more than 1 acre. Detention must attenuate the 25-year storm to pre-development rates. Enhanced water quality treatment is required for properties draining to Orlando's chain of lakes. Monthly stormwater utility fees apply.
Can I build an ADU in Orlando?
Yes, ADUs are permitted in single-family and duplex zones on qualifying lots. Size is limited to 50% of the primary dwelling or 750 sq ft, whichever is less. One additional parking space is required. The property owner must occupy either the primary dwelling or ADU. Standard zoning setbacks apply.
How do I submit plans to Orlando?
Submit through the ePlan Review portal at orlando.gov/permits for electronic plan review. Upload plans in PDF format, pay fees, and track status online. Walk-in service is at 400 S. Orange Avenue, 1st Floor. Simple residential projects may qualify for express same-day review.
What is the Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR)?
ISR is the total impervious surface area (buildings, driveways, walkways, patios, pools) divided by the total lot area. Orlando limits ISR by zone: R-1A allows 45%, R-1AA allows 40%, R-1AAA allows 35%, R-2 allows 50%, R-3 allows 55%. Your site plan must include a detailed ISR calculation.
How long does plan review take in Orlando?
Residential plan review takes 10-15 business days. Simple residential may qualify for express same-day review. Commercial projects take 20-30 business days. SJRWMD Environmental Resource Permit review adds 30-60 days. Track your application through the ePlan Review portal.

How to Create a Site Plan in Orlando

  1. Look Up Your Property Information: Use Orlando's GIS portal at orlando.gov/maps to find your zoning district, flood zone, lake setbacks, overlay district status, and ISR limits. Note your Orange County Property Appraiser parcel ID.
  2. Assess Environmental Constraints: Determine flood zone status and BFE, lake proximity and setbacks, tree survey requirements, and SJRWMD permit needs. These constraints affect buildable area and project timeline.
  3. Create Your Site Plan: Enter your Orlando address in Site Plan Creator to automatically load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines per LDC Part 3 and label structures.
  4. Include All Required Elements: Ensure your site plan includes property boundaries, setbacks, FFE relative to BFE, flood zone, ISR calculation, FAR, tree survey, parking per Part 8, landscaping per Part 7, and north arrow with scale.
  5. Prepare Supporting Documents: Prepare certified arborist tree survey, stormwater management plan, SJRWMD permit application, and elevation documentation for properties in flood zones.
  6. Submit Through ePlan Portal: Upload plans through Orlando's ePlan Review portal. Pay plan review fees and track your application. Submit SJRWMD permits separately if required.
  7. Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to reviewer comments and resubmit corrections. Once approved, pay all fees including impact fees, obtain your building permit, post it on site, and schedule inspections.