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Rural Enclaves Small Area Study
Update: Rural Enclaves Study Paused
Seminole County has paused work on the Rural Enclaves Small Area Study due to new state legislation (Senate Bill 180). The law restricts counties from adopting land-use or development regulations that are more stringent than state requirements. The County will resume work if and when state law allows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Senate Bill (SB) 180 restricts counties from adopting certain land-use regulations or development standards that go beyond state requirements. The Rural Enclaves Small Area Study explored tools that fall under these restrictions, so the project must be paused at this time. The law also places temporary limits on plans and code updates following hurricanes or tropical storms.
SB 180 is a statewide law that limits local governments’ authority to adopt more restrictive land-use rules, delays the adoption of certain post-storm development codes, and preempts several forms of local planning and zoning authority.
No. No changes are being proposed or implemented at this time. The pause simply reflects new state restrictions that prevent the County from continuing the study.
Yes, if state law changes or new guidance allows the County to move forward.
Yes. All study documents remain available on this webpage for residents to view.
Please contact:
Maya Athanas, AICP
Principal Planner
mathanas@seminolecountyfl.gov | 407-665-7388
Seminole County is known for its protection of the East Rural Area; however, there are also areas of existing rural character in the urban service area that residents value and would like to see preserved.
Through the Envision Seminole 2045 plan and EAR-Based Comprehensive Plan Amendments, Seminole County recently included new and revised goals, policies, and strategies to maintain rural places.
Goal 3, Maintain Rural Places, and Policy FLU 3.1.3, Recognition of Rural Enclaves, of the Future Land Use Comprehensive Plan, calls for the County to establish a program to preserve and protect the character of rural enclaves within the County’s urban area.
The proposed Rural Enclaves study areas are restricted to the Seminole County’s urban area and include three (3) subareas that were identified by staff for meeting criteria established in Policy FLU 3.1.3(B). Accordingly, each subarea will be evaluated and refined by the Policy FLU 3.1.3 criteria. Further refinement of each subarea will be based on analysis and community input. Due to this, the proposed boundaries of the subareas may change as the study continues.
Seminole County Identified Study Areas
- Orange Boulevard
- Lazy Acres
- Oak Hallow