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Commission adopts a package of land-use and code updates: hookah use allowed (4–1), new temporary-use category and permit-fee changes (both 5–0)
Summary
Lauderhill expanded allowable uses to permit hookah lounges in general commercial zones via special exception (4–1), created a temporary-use land category to handle mid-term, nonpermanent operations (5–0), and adopted an interim shift in permit-fee calculations to comply with HB 803 (5–0).
The Lauderhill commission approved several land-development and regulatory changes on June 29, spanning commercial uses, temporary permits and building-permit fee methodology.
Hookah/lounge text amendment (first reading): Staff proposed adding hoodah/hookah/lounge use as a special-exception use in the city’s general commercial zoning district, in addition to existing districts. The change keeps a special-exception review requirement, retains Florida Building Code ventilation standards for indoor smoking areas, and requires any restaurant with a smoking lounge to segregate and ventilate the smoking space so food-service rules remain compliant. Caboce and Pocha restaurant owner Fred Kim spoke in favor, saying the option could help nighttime economic activity. The ordinance passed on first reading 4–1 (Mayor Denise D. Grant voted no citing health and moral concerns).
Temporary-use category in LDR: The commission adopted a new temporary-use code to fill a gap between short special events and permanent uses. The ordinance distinguishes minor temporary uses (administrative review) and major temporary uses (planning-division review and development-review committee), sets a maximum term of one year for temporary-use permits and requires building permits where construction is involved. The measure passed 5–0.
Building-permit fee schedule (HB 803 compliance): Staff presented an ordinance revising how permit fees are calculated to comply with Florida House Bill 803 (effective July 1), moving from value-based fee calculations to staff-time-based fees plus a small administrative charge. Staff said a 3–6 month in-house fee study will inform final flat-rate schedules; the interim ordinance passed 5–0 so fees align with the new statutory standard.
Taken together these changes alter the city’s commercial-use rules, create more flexible short-term-use pathways for businesses and align local permitting fees with recent state law. Each item passed per the vote tallies given on the record.
