Port St. Lucie board approves zoning changes to accommodate certified recovery residences

The Port St. Lucie Planning & Zoning Board on March 3 approved a city-initiated amendment to the zoning code to add a definition for 'certified recovery residence' and to establish mandatory review timelines and an automatic-grant procedure required by the state.

Marissa of the planning and zoning department told the board that the changes implement state law enacted in 2025 (cited in the staff presentation as Florida Statutes section 397.48715[a]) and that the amendment includes a mandatory timeline for review, an automatic grant if the city fails to issue a final written determination within that timeline, and limits on relying on lapsed certifications when considering accommodations. "This new legislation mandates that every municipality adopt a specific ordinance establishing local procedures for the review and approval of certified recovery residences within its jurisdiction," Marissa said in the staff presentation.

The staff report concluded the proposed text is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan (it was described as supporting goal 7 in the staff presentation) and recommended approval. Board members asked clarifying questions about the state's requirement and confirmed with staff that the amendment was required by the legislature rather than a local policy change. There were no public comments on the item.

The board moved to approve the zoning amendment; the motion carried. Chair Karen Norton closed the public hearing and the board approved the amendment as presented.

The amendment implements new state-level requirements for certified recovery residences and creates a local process intended to ensure timely decisions on applications under the statutory timeline.