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Boca Raton updates code to implement state'level Live Local Act; council approves changes
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Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 57‑62 to align local zoning with Florida's Live Local Act, setting a maximum FAR of 1.5 for eligible projects, limiting nonresidential requirements, and clarifying parking and height rules; Planning & Zoning recommended approval and the vote passed 4‑0.
The Boca Raton City Council on Jan. 6 adopted ordinance 57‑62 to amend the city's zoning code and implement recent changes to Florida's Live Local Act for affordable housing projects.
Development Services Director Brandon Shadd told the council the amendments respond directly to state legislative updates: eligible commercial pods in planned unit developments can qualify; the city cannot require more than 10% of building square footage as nonresidential for small buildings; and the Live Local maximum FAR is set at 150% of the highest allowed, yielding a 1.5 FAR cap for eligible projects in Boca Raton.
Shadd summarized parking and height changes the legislature required, including a mandatory minimum parking reduction of at least 15% in certain proximity conditions to transit, and clarified that administrative approvals (rather than quasi‑judicial review) are mandatory where the statute requires administrative review. He also said projects that fail to meet long‑term affordability commitments can be treated as nonconforming after a cure period.
The Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval at its Nov. 6 meeting. A motion to adopt the ordinance carried 4‑0.
Council members framed the vote as a technical alignment with state law rather than a policy shift by the city; Shadd said the changes "literally" come from the state statute. The ordinance includes an enforcement mechanism requiring restrictive covenants to secure affordability commitments.
Outcome: Ordinance 57‑62 adopted 4‑0.
Why it matters: The ordinance defines how Boca Raton will process and approve Live Local projects—those that dedicate a large share of units to long‑term affordable rental housing—and affects density, parking, and review procedure for future proposals.