Planning, Engineering & GIS Division

planning and zoning

Responsibilities

The Planning and Zoning Division provides Current and Long Range Planning, Annexations, Land Use Amendments, Rezonings, Special Exceptions, Site & Development Plans and Variances. Staff provide recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals/Local Planning Agency.

Planning

Planning staff mission is to promote, protect and improve in accordance with the City's Comprehensive Plan, the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the City. To protect the character and maintain the stability of residential and commercial areas by establishing zoning districts and regulations through active engagement in strategic planning and community development.

Zoning & Development Compliance

Zoning staff is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the City's Zoning Code. They are also tasked with reviewing building permits and site and development applications for compliance with the City's Zoning Code.

Tree City USA for 30 Years

The City of Greenacres has been named a Tree City USA for 30 years in a row. This designation is given by the National Arbor Day foundation in honor of Greenacres' commitment to community forestry. Trees are valuable to our community in so many ways. They help improve water quality and decrease flooding from stormwater runoff, lower city temperatures, reduce air pollution, help conserve energy, provide wildlife habitat and enhance property values and community aesthetic.

Due to the benefits derived from a healthy tree canopy, the Greenacres Zoning Code establishes tree protection standards that promote the preservation of and expansion of tree canopies. The city requires a certain number of trees and a variety of tree species to be maintained on a site to achieve these goals. A permit is required to remove any protected tree.

The City of Greenacres encourages residential tree replacement. The city offers suggestions on the best practices to plant trees and recommends trees that are most suitable for this climate and area.

Please note that commercial, multi-family, and all other non-residential properties may be subject to the requirements of approved landscape plans, development orders, larger tree sizes and other specifications different from the ones listed here.

Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place

Think about how large a tree will grow and make sure where you plant a tree can accommodate the full-grown tree. Prevent future tree problems! Plant shade trees a minimum of five-ten feet away from driveways, houses, property lines, and overhead wires. Some trees spread very wide (live oaks) and some trees are very tall and columnar (bald cypress). Some are very salt tolerant and are a great choice on the beach (sea grapes, silver buttonwood) and some like wet areas (magnolia, red maple, bald cypress). Find the right tree for your location. Required replacement trees may NOT be planted in the public right-of-way. This is the green area typically between the sidewalk and edge of the road. To learn more about different trees visit: floridayards.org/fyplants. For more information on tree care visit the International Society of Arboriculture’s (ISA) webpage for tree owners: treesaregood.org/treeowner/treeownerinformation.aspx

Recommended Trees

The species in this list are not the only species that are acceptable, rather these are the species that are most readily found and recommended as suitable trees. Citrus species and those trees listed on the Florida Exotic Plant Pest Council List may not be used as a replacement tree. All trees must be Florida Grade Number One or better. Please see Landscape Pamphlet on the Landscape Regulations and Review web page.

For more information on tree permits and landscape information please click here.

*Florida Statute 166.0451 regarding the Disposition of Municipal Property for Affordable Housing*

The City of Greenacres has reviewed its real property inventory to comply with the Live Local Act and Florida Statute 166.0451 regarding the Disposition of Municipal Property for Affordable Housing. The City has determined that none of the City-owned properties are suitable for affordable housing development at this time.