Overview

Zoning is responsible for the oversight of the Unified Development Code (UDC) for Sarasota County. Zoning is a set of land use regulations which classify how land can be used and helps the County implement the Comprehensive Plan. The UDC classifies land into zones called “districts,” or “zoning districts,” and specifies the type of uses and unique development standards allowed in each district. Zoning further aims to:

• Help to protect public and private interests
• Preserve critical areas
• Promote orderly growth
• Encourage development in keeping with the Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the Comprehensive Plan

The zoning regulations consists of text and a map. The map identifies the zoning district for each property within the unincorporated area of Sarasota County. The text describes the rules that govern the different zoning districts; describes land uses; identifies allowable and non-allowable uses; and contains the development standards. The text also includes the administrative processes that explain how the UDC is administered; how it is interpreted; how to change zoning districts; and how to request variances.

The Sarasota County Commission adopted the Unified Development Code (UDC) on November 27, 2018 with an effective date of January 1, 2019. The UDC updated and combined the county’s Land Development Regulations (former Chapter 74 of the County Code) and Zoning Regulations (former Appendix A of the County Code). More information on the UDC can be found here.