PORT ORANGE, Fla. — The Port Orange Planning Commission voted Sept. 25 to approve amendments to Chapter 9 of the city's land development code that update rules for residential docks, boathouses and marina finger piers.

Planning staff said the changes respond to a 2024 variance that exposed outdated dock standards and reflect contemporary boat sizes, modern lift equipment and ADA considerations. "The proposed amendments to the land development code are related to water‑dependent uses such as marinas and residential docks and boathouses," said Camille de Cruz, planning staff, introducing the packet of changes.

Key changes the commission approved include:

- Removing an 8‑foot width restriction for residential terminal platforms and increasing the maximum allowable terminal platform area to 500 square feet (from 160 sq. ft. in the current code).
- Raising the maximum allowable boathouse height above mean high water from 12 feet to 18 feet to better accommodate modern vessels and rising water levels.
- Codifying setback handling for narrow waterfront lots by adopting the FDOT practice of centering docks on parcels under 65 feet wide and allowing two adjacent property owners to share a dock with a recorded waiver.
- Increasing commercial marina finger‑pier widths from 3 feet to 4 feet to improve safety and ADA access.

Staff said the city has implemented FDOT standards informally for many years on lots narrower than 65 feet and is now codifying that approach. Commissioner Robert Reinhagen asked whether an inconsistency in draft text — a 4‑foot limit in one section and 3‑foot in another — would be corrected; staff confirmed that the commercial marina provision will be uniform and that residential provisions are intentionally different.

No substantive public opposition was raised during the hearing on the code edits; the commission approved the ordinance amendment and forwarded it to council as a recommended text change.

Why it matters: The amendments align Port Orange's waterfront construction rules with neighboring jurisdictions and state guidance, responding to larger boats, modern lifts and ADA access concerns while providing an updated, predictable permitting standard for residents and marinas.

Vote: The Planning Commission approved the land development code text amendment (DCAM‑25‑0004). Roll call supported the recommendation; staff will forward the text changes to the City Council for consideration.

Primary sources: Planning Commission staff presentation and the Sept. 25, 2025 meeting record.