Orange County, like much of the Country, is challenged to meet the rapidly-escalating residential and business demand for potable water.  Staff has identified that water used on landscaping, in particular, represents the single largest demand for potable water.  In response, the County has initiated an extensive water conservation education and outreach program to address the growing disconnect between our limited water supply, and the increasing demand for water resources.

The Board of County Commissioners has directed Staff to develop a regulatory response to the growing gap between available water resources, and demand.  State law, Water Management District Rules, and the County's own Comprehensive Plan Policies also point to necessary regulatory responses. 

In 2008, watering restrictions, and revisions to landscape irrigation system requirements, were adopted within Chapter 37 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances.  On September 22, 2009, the Board of County Commissioners also adopted a series of language updates to the Land Development Code Chapters 24 (landscaping regulations) and 34 (subdivision regulations), which will encourage water conserving landscape design and installation.  

An overlay district was created in order to satisfy a Comprehensive Plan requirement and to help the neighborhood residents preserve the character in the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement.  Orange County, with help of neighborhood residents, developed the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement Commercial Design Overlay District.  This overlay is intended to guide the aesthetics of any commercial development within the rural settlement.  This includes but is not limited to exterior finishes, fencing, signage and lighting.  For any questions please contact the Urban Design section of the Planning Division.

Landscaping
Orange County Landscape Guidelines (PDF - 477 KB)
Landscape Ordinance (PDF - 2.7 MB)

Lighting
Orange County Lighting Guidelines (PDF - 412 KB)
Lighting Ordinance (PDF - 709 KB) 

Architecture 
Orange County Architectural Guidelines (PDF - 419 KB)
Architectural Standards Ordinance (PDF - 1.4 MB)

Smart Growth
Orange County Best Urban Design and Smart Growth Practices (PDF - 543 KB)

Other Ordinances
Big Box Ordinance (PDF - 1.7 MB)
Tree Protection Ordinance (PDF - 78 KB)

(The following documents are all in PDF format.)

• Avalon Park Boulevard Corridor 
  • Map (PDF - 1.6 MB)
• Buena Vista North (BVN) District Standards
  • Ordinance 2001-04 (PDF - 1.2 MB) - Map (PDF - 337 KB)
• Convention Plaza District (CPD) Overlay Zone
  • Ordinance 95-23 (PDF - 500 KB) - Map (PDF - 326 KB)
• Conway Road Corridor Overlay District
  • Ordinance 2003-20 (PDF - 454 KB) - Map (PDF - 1.3 MB)
• Four Corners Community Village Center (CVC) Guidelines and Standards
  • Ordinance 96-36 (PDF - 1.2 MB) - Map (PDF - 288 KB)
• Holden Heights Neighborhood District (overlaps OBT)
  • Ordinance 2003-18 (PDF - 5 MB) - Map (PDF - 259 KB)
• Horizon West (Village) Development Code
  • Ordinance 09-16 (PDF - 4 MB)  - Map (PDF- 1.31 MB)
• Lake Avalon Rural Settlement Design Overlay District
  • Ordinance 2009-06 (PDF - 461 KB) - Map (PDF - 162 KB)
• Lake Willis Neighborhood Buffering and Design Guidelines
  • Ordinance 2003-21 (PDF - 395 KB) - Map (PDF - 385 KB)
• Northwest Growth Center
  • Ordinance 96-13 (PDF - 100 KB)
• Orange Blossom Trail Overlay District (overlaps Holden Heights)
  • Ordinance 97-21 (PDF - 2 MB) - Map (PDF - 1.4 MB)
• South Orange Avenue Corridor Overlay District
  • Ordinance 2003-12 (PDF - 370 KB) - Map (PDF - 1.1 MB)
• Southwest Growth Center
  • Ordinance 96-11 (PDF - 1 MB)
• SR 436 / SR 50 Corridor Overlay District
  • Ordinance 2004-15 (PDF - 327 KB) - Map (PDF - 1.3 MB)
• Tourism District (Tourist Commercial Area)
  • Ordinance 99-21 (PDF - 223 KB)
• West State Road 50 Corridor Overlay District
  • Ordinance 2002-12 (PDF - 607KB) Map (PDF - 2.2 MB)

The Orange County Comprehensive Plan (CP) was first adopted on July 1, 1991, in accordance with the State of Florida Growth Management Law. It establishes the Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the primary services provided by Orange County Government. Elements of the CP provide the guidance for all future development within unincorporated Orange County.

The County recently adopted the 2010-2030 update to the Comprehensive Plan.  The CP's Urban Design Element addresses the physical character and form of Orange County, and the relationship between people and their built environment.  The Urban Design Element is currently in the process of being updated to reflect the County's sustainability efforts and "smart growth" initiatives.

• Urban Design Element (PDF - 7.65 MB)

This awards program honors the best in planning, urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, and environmental design throughout Orange County.  Planners, architects, developers, civil engineers, landscape architects, builders and students are encouraged to submit entries.  And the best are chosen by a jury panel. 

The 2008 awards program expanded to include projects located within the incorporated limits of Orange County's cities.  That year's Awards Program also featured a new Government Ordinance category. 

To view a few of the previous winners click on the links below:

• 2008 Winning Projects (PDF - 730 KB)
• 2007 Winning Projects (PDF - 229 KB)
• 2006 Winning Projects PDF - 339 KB)