• The degradation of Florida's sensitive wetlands have encouraged action to reduce the impact of urban development.everglades - florida image by george aston from Fotolia.com
  
  Florida zoning laws have a tradition of protecting the state's remarkable agricultural and environmental resources. Urban development pressure has threatened the distinctive wetland environments of Florida's vast everglades; Florida's government has responded by creating more aggressive zoning and planning laws. Zoning laws in Florida generally resemble those elsewhere in the country with restrictions on permitted uses established by local municipalities.
  
  

Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act

• Concerns about the extent of urban sprawl have generated much of Florida's zoning legislation.miami image by Alan Pickersgill from Fotolia.com
  
  First enacted in 1975, the Florida Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act required that all zoning and development regulations go through a state-mandated land use planning process. Intended to help restrain urban sprawl, provide adequate urban infrastructure and empower communities to shape their future, the Comprehensive Planning Act remains at the cornerstone of land use and zoning law in Florida. In 1985, the act was substantially amended to strengthen its provisions and improve its consistency with other environmental legislation.
  
  

Environmental Land and Water Management Act

• The Florida Environmental Land and Water Management Act, first enacted in 1972, substantially changed the landscape of zoning in Florida. The act effectively overruled many of the local zoning codes by designating environmentally-sensitive "areas of concern." Areas targeted were those having a significant impact on water flow and quality as well as lands used by endangered species for habitat. The Environmental Land and Water Management Act enables the governor to create specific land use plans for areas of concern, and local governments must develop their zoning and development regulations such that they are consistent with these state plans.
  
  

Public Reporting Laws for Rezoning

• The public must be allowed to comment on rezoning ordinances under Florida law.Microphone head image by Dumitrescu Ciprian from Fotolia.com
  
  In Florida, counties are subject to special public records requirements when changing or updating their zoning laws. The Florida statutes mandate that adequate public process is conducted before altering the zoning maps, many of which are more stringent than the requirements for other county ordinances. For all rezoning determinations, counties must provide at least 10 days' notice for all proposed changes and submit them in writing to the Secretary of State. Additionally, all rezoning changes are subject to public hearings before enactment under the procedural statute.