Tallahassee, Florida Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
Tallahassee, Florida Zoning & Land Use Guide
Tallahassee is the capital of Florida and the seat of Leon County, with a 2020 Census population of 205,089. The city manages land use through a unique joint city-county planning structure. Zoning regulations are found in Chapter 10 of the Tallahassee Land Development Code (LDC), which is a separate document from the Code of Ordinances. Both are available on Municode.
Tallahassee shares planning functions with Leon County through the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department (PLACE), located at the Frenchtown Renaissance Center, 435 North Macomb Street. Day-to-day zoning and mapping is handled by the Growth Management Department.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in Tallahassee and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with the Tallahassee Growth Management Department or the official Land Development Code before making development decisions.
Growth Management Department Contact
- Phone: (850) 891-7001
- Address: 435 North Macomb Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301
- Tallahassee-Leon County Planning (PLACE): (850) 891-6400
- Zoning Email: talgov.com/main/email.aspx?emailto=zoning
Zoning Districts Overview
Tallahassee's zoning districts are established in Chapter 10, Article IV of the Land Development Code. The LDC recognizes a broad range of districts:
Residential Districts
- RA — Residential Agricultural
- R-1 — Single-Family Residential
- R-2 — Single and Two-Family Residential (density bonus eligible)
- R-3 — Multi-Family Residential (density bonus eligible)
- R-4 — Multi-Family Residential (higher density)
- R-5 — Multi-Family Residential (highest density)
- MH — Mobile Home District
- MR / MR-1 — Mixed Residential
Office Districts
- OR-1, OR-2, OR-3 — Office Residential
- OA-1 — Office Area
Commercial Districts
- C-1 — Neighborhood Commercial
- C-2 — General Commercial
- CM — Commercial Marine
- CP — Commercial Parkway
Other Districts
- M-1 — Light Industrial
- IC — Industrial Commercial
- OS — Open Space
- PUD — Planned Unit Development
- UP-1 / UP-2 — Urban Preservation
- UT — Urban Transition
For specific dimensional standards (front, rear, and side setbacks; lot sizes; height limits) for each district, consult the Development Standards Schedule (§10-178) in the Land Development Code.
General Note on Height: Regardless of zoning district, any new mixed-use, multi-family, or non-residential structure built immediately adjacent to a single-family residence or duplex is generally limited to 25–30 feet in height.
Setback Encroachments: Cornices, canopies, eaves, and other non-enclosed projections may project into required side yards by no more than 2 ft and into required rear yards by no more than 5 ft. A zero-foot interior setback is permitted for townhouse (single-family attached) land uses only.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Florida Statutes §163.31771 (2020) requires Tallahassee to permit ADUs in single-family zones. Contact the Growth Management Department at (850) 891-7001 for current ADU standards under the Land Development Code. The Live Local Map at live-local-height-tool.talgov.com provides height and eligibility information for properties under the Live Local Act.
GIS Zoning Resources
The Tallahassee-Leon County GIS program provides several zoning lookup tools:
- Land Information Map (Primary): experience.arcgis.com — TLCGIS — search by address or tax ID; zoning shown in green, future land use in blue
- Zoning and Land Use Map: tlcgis.leoncountyfl.gov/zoning/
- Zoning Uses Lookup Tool: tlcgis.maps.arcgis.com — Uses Dashboard
- Zoning & Other Maps (City): talgov.com/growth/gm_zoning
Development Process
Development in Tallahassee generally requires:
- Zoning Verification — Use the Land Information Map or contact the Growth Management Department at (850) 891-7001
- Planning Consultation — Contact PLACE at (850) 891-6400 for rezoning, variance, or comprehensive plan questions
- Development Application — Submit applications through the Growth Management Department at 435 North Macomb Street
- Site Plan Review — Required for commercial, multi-family, and certain residential projects
- Building Permit — Apply through the Growth Management Department
- Inspections — Schedule required inspections during construction
- Certificate of Occupancy — Obtain final approval before occupying the structure
Key Considerations
Before starting any development project in Tallahassee:
- Note that Tallahassee has a separate Land Development Code (Chapter 10) in addition to the Code of Ordinances — zoning rules are in the LDC, not the Code of Ordinances
- Verify the zoning using the TLCGIS Land Information Map
- Review §10-178 of the LDC for specific dimensional standards for the applicable district
- Check for PUD or special overlay conditions if applicable
- Determine if the property is in a FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov
- Confirm HOA or deed restrictions applicable to the property
Official Resources
- Growth Management Department: talgov.com/growth — (850) 891-7001
- PLACE Planning Department: talgov.com/place/planning — (850) 891-6400
- GIS Zoning Map: TLCGIS Land Information Map
- Zoning & Maps: talgov.com/growth/gm_zoning
- Code of Ordinances: library.municode.com/fl/tallahassee — Code of Ordinances
- Land Development Code: library.municode.com/fl/tallahassee — Land Development Code
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Tallahassee
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
State — Florida
- Building Code: Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023)
- State ADU Override: Yes (Florida Statutes §163.31771 (2020) requires municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family zoning districts.)
County — Leon County
- Role: Leon County shares planning functions with the City of Tallahassee through the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department (PLACE). County provides property records, tax assessment, and governs unincorporated areas.
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- HOAs are common in Florida. Check CC&Rs for additional restrictions beyond city zoning.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- Varies — see LDC §10-178
- Max Height
- Varies — see LDC
- Front Setback
- Varies — see LDC §10-178
- Side Setback
- Varies — see LDC §10-178
- Rear Setback
- Varies — see LDC §10-178
- Min Lot
- Varies — see LDC §10-178
- Max Height
- Varies — see LDC
- Front Setback
- Varies — see LDC §10-178
- Side Setback
- Varies — see LDC §10-178
- Rear Setback
- Varies — see LDC §10-178
- Min Lot
- Varies — see LDC §10-178
- Max Height
- Varies — see LDC
- Front Setback
- Varies — see LDC §10-178
- Side Setback
- Varies — see LDC §10-178
- Rear Setback
- Varies — see LDC §10-178
- Min Lot
- Varies — see LDC
- Max Height
- Varies — see LDC
- Front Setback
- Varies — see LDC
- Side Setback
- Varies — see LDC
- Rear Setback
- Varies — see LDC
ADU Rules in Tallahassee
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Tallahassee are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Tallahassee permit fees →