History of Siesta Key Zoning

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1955

• December 7: Sarasota County adopts their first zoning code and the focus was Siesta Key's zoning.

 

1960​

• County decides to expand the Siesta KeyCop zoning code throughout the County.  Part 1 Link (intro),  Part 2 Link (definition and zoning)​

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1969

• County decided to reduce density in the residential areas on the barrier islands.

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1971

• November 3: Sarasota voters adopted Home Rule County Charter and the second to be adopted in the state.

• County updates zoning regulations. 

 

1972

• October 10: County begins the process of developing the Comprehensive plan.  Ord. 72-60

 

1973

• Zoning Ordinance 73-20 adopted to reduce density on Siesta Key in the Residential multi-family districts.

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1975

• March 13:  Land Use Plan which is the start of Comprehensive Planning (Link to Part 1 and 2)  Resolution 75-44 states:​

  • Policy 4. B.: "Discourage high-rise development and medium or higher density zoning, as defined by the Sarasota County Land Use Plan on the keys."

  • Policy 5. H: "Specifically discourage multi-family and hotel/motel development on the Keys."

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• May 27: Zoning ordinance 75-26  was adopted reduce density for hotels 

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• October 7: Zoning Ordinance 75-38 replaces old zoning codes.

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1979

• Siesta Key Planning Study completed (Link)

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1980

• Zoning Regulations Updated.  

 

1981​​

• Comprehensive Plan updated

  • Future Land Use Plan

‘The intensity of future development on the barrier islands of Sarasota County shall not exceed that allowed by existing zoning.  Parcels already developed at densities less than that permitted by the existing zoning should be down zoned to the zoning district most closely corresponding to the existing development on the parcel taking into consideration existing plats.  Parcels which are not developed and zoned for Commercial General (CG) uses are to be down zoned to a less intensive zoning district category.’​

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• Future Land Use Map 1981 adopted showing Barrier Islands as part of 'All other Designated Areas' separate than urban areas

• County issues building moratorium for barrier island especially Siesta Key

• County release the Barrier Island Study and Ordinance 81-126 (Link) to down zone Siesta Key in order to lower the high density on island.

 

1982

• Sarasota County down zoned select properties on Siesta Key.

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1983 

• Ordinance 83-08 adopted  to add transient accommodations as a special exception in CG

  • Added Transient Accommodations definition including that it's "a residential use"

 

1989

• March 13:  revised Comprehensive Plan adopted

  • Policy 1.6.4

• ‘Barrier Islands are designated on the Future Land Use Map to recognize existing land use patterns and to provide a basis for hurricane evacuation planning and disaster mitigation efforts. The intensity of future development on the Barrier Islands of Sarasota shall not exceed that allowed by existing zoning.’

• October 27:  Amendments to the Zoning Code to comply with the Comprehensive Plan adopted

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1991

• Zoning Code Updated, Ord. 91-079 to include addition to definition of Transient Accommodations to add " Each transient unit not having cooking facilities shall be equal to 1/2 dwelling unit.  Each transient unit having cooking facilities shall be equal to one (1) dwelling unit."

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1997

• Comprehensive Plan updated

  • Policy 1.1.2

‘Barrier Islands are designated on the Future Land Use Map to recognize existing land use patterns and to provide a basis for hurricane evacuation planning and disaster mitigation efforts.  The intensity and density of future development on the Barrier Islands of Sarasota shall not exceed that allowed by zoning ordinances and regulations existing as of March 13, 1989.’​

 

1999

• Siesta Key Community Plan developed by County with input from Siesta Key stakeholders.

 

2000

• Adoption of the Siesta Key Overlay District  (SKOD) which provides additional zoning code regulations affecting only the aesthetic value designs such as signage and fencing waste receptacles on Siesta Key.

 

2003

• Replaced Zoning Code 75-38 with new zoning code 2003-052.  No change in density or intensity on barrier islands

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2004

• Comprehensive Plan updated

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2009

• Comprehensive Plan Policy 2.9.1 (formerly Policy# 1.1.2) updated to include the provision to allow select RMF lots to continue to have duplexes

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2016

• Comprehensive Plan update. Policy 2.9.1 stays the same

 

2019

• County adopts the Unified Development code which combines the zoning code with the land development regulations to replace the County’s zoning code 2003-052.  No change in density or intensity on barrier islands

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2021

• Sarasota County Commission adopted Zoning Ordinance 2021-047 to change the definition of density for hotels to be listed as commercial with no density limits.  County then approves 2 hotels with high density and intensity.  

• Lawsuits filed 

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2023

• Three landmark decisions which overturned 2021-047 and repealed the approvals of the two high density hotels

  • DOAH

  • Circuit Court

    • Lourdes Ramirez v Sarasota County

    • Rob Sax