CO District (Commercial Office)

Updated April 3, 2025

The Commercial Office district is intended to provide workplace and professional services within the Urban Infill area of the County where centers are not feasible. The Commercial uses are, limited to no more than forty (40) percent of the gross square footage of the development, inclusive of residential development. Live/work units are permitted as described herein.

Allowed Uses

Principle Uses Permitted (P)

  • Bus or Train Station*
  • **Communication Towers*
  • Educational Facilities (Private)*
  • Experimental Lab
  • Government Buildings and Facilities
  • Hospital / Health Institute
  • Hotel/Motel
  • Houses of Worship*
  • Live/Work*
  • Membership Organizations
  • Nursing Home / Assisted Living*
  • Offices & Professional Services/ Vet Clinic
  • Parks, Playgrounds
  • Pet Rescue*
  • Renewable Energy Creation / Manufacturing, Research*
  • Residential Over Commercial
  • Special Event*
  • Utility Support Substations*
  • Wind Farms*

Accessory Uses Permitted (A)

  • Cocktail Lounge or Bar
  • Construction Trailers/Temporary Office*
  • Dance, Karate, Art or Similar Afterschool Care Studio
  • Daycare/Adult Daycare*
  • Food and Beverage Sales
  • Food Truck /Lunch Truck*
  • Gym or Fitness Training
  • Helicopter Landing Pad*
  • Restaurant
  • Retail Sales and Services

 

* - Specific Use that has Siting Standards

*** Communication Towers that choose not to adhere to the siting standards will be required to obtain a conditional use permit in accordance with this code.

Development Standards

Building Orientation. All Commercial building's primary entrance shall be located on the façade facing the public right-of-way or civic space. Primary entrance is the principal pedestrian access to a building, even if customers or residents may more frequently use a secondary entrance associated with a garage, parking area, driveway, or other vehicle use area. The entrance shall have the architectural detailing that sets it apart from other entrances and allows it to be recognized as the building's primary access point.

Maximum density5 :  18 du/1 ac

Maximum intensity: 0.5 FAR 7 / 1.0 FAR 7

Minimum density: 8 du/1 ac

Minimum intensity: N/A

Lot area, minimum: N/A

Maximum building height: 4 stories

Setbacks

  • Front: N/A
  • Rear: N/A
  • Interior side: N/A
  • Street side: N/A

Note: Residential development is not required.

1 For Commercial uses only.

2 For Residential uses only.

3 When a Commercial Neighborhood property is adjacent to another Commercial district, the properties may choose to aggregate and develop under the higher intensity development standards of the adjacent property.

4 Single-family detached is a Permitted Use as indicated in Use Table 3.4. For areas within one-half (0.5) mile of West U.S. 192 (West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway), residential development shall have a minimum density of eight (8) dwelling units per acre and a maximum density of eighty (80) dwelling units per acre.

5 Hotels have no maximum density.

6 EC parcels with Employment Center Future Land Use designations shall comply with the Urban Infill Center standards contained herein.

7 The lower intensity shall apply to properties within the MDI Future Land Use designation. The higher intensity shall apply to properties within the Commercial Future Land Use.

COMMERCIAL FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR)/INTENSITY STANDARDS. 

1. Calculating intensity/FAR. FAR shall be calculated by dividing the proposed non-residential square footage by the developable non-residential acreage. The developable acreage consists of the non-residential acreage, less road right-of-way (ROW) for Boulevards, Avenues and Multi-Modal Corridors (framework ROW), land dedicated to public use and activities including parks and recreation; stormwater systems designated by a water management district as "works of the district"; natural water bodies; wetlands except as noted in the Osceola County Comprehensive Plan; and any residential use acreage that does not include vertically mixed residential use. The residential portion of mixed use buildings shall meet all density requirements, and be counted toward meeting minimum FAR requirements. Where there is a maximum FAR, the residential portion of a mixed use building shall not be calculated.

If Your Home/Property is in a Subdivision or a Planned Development

Please call Osceola County Zoning Department at (407) 742-0200. Additional rules may apply, such as architectural guidelines or limitations on uses. 

Disclaimer

The zoning information provided on this site is intended as a general reference and offers a basic translation of the Osceola County Land Development Code (LDC). While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information displayed, it may not reflect the latest updates or amendments to the LDC. For the most precise and current zoning information, please refer directly to the official Osceola County Land Development Code (LDC).

Please note that this information does not constitute a final determination of zoning or land use. For formal verification, please consult with the Osceola County Zoning Office or appropriate planning authority.

Need Assistance?

The above guidelines are a general overview, but zoning can be complex, and individual circumstances vary.

For personalized advice, please contact the Osceola County Planning, Zoning and Design Department directly at (407) 742-0200. We can provide guidance tailored to your situation.

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