The Comprehensive Plan sets the overall land uses for Hillsborough
County and the County's future Land Use Map serves as the framework for
efficient uses of land in the community. Zoning is a land use control
which further protects property owners from undesirable and incompatible
land uses in neighborhoods. Zoning and land development regulations provide
a body of principles and standards adopted by the Board of County Commissioners
as a local law or ordinance which regulate property owners. They regulate
appropriate land uses allowed in the community, density of development,
appearance of development, and the related infrastructure which supports
development, including the provision of water, sewer, transportation,
parks, storm water, and protection of natural resources such as trees
and wildlife. Also used by the division is the official Zoning Atlas,
or Zoning Map that designates a zoning classification for each piece
of property in the county. The Land Development Code defines the standards
for development of property and describes permitted uses for each of
the districts shown on the Zoning Atlas.
Planning and Zoning is responsible for community planning, code administration, and zoning. The Historic Preservation program, Greenways program, and
Community-based Planning program are administered by this division.
Community Planning works to implement the County's Comprehensive Plan by carrying out mid and short-range programs. Included are functional planning
for greenways and trails, historic preservation and community based planning projects. Community Planning for sections of the County are ongoing in Northwest/Citrus
Park, Thonotosassa, University of South Florida, Town 'N Country, and Brandon Main Street. Community Planning looks at alternatives to conventional suburban
development in our community and design standards are being studied to encourage more dense models like those of older city neighborhoods. These multi-use
communities have homes built closer together with elementary schools and daily shopping within walking distance. The County has changed its development
standards, so that traditional neighborhood development is easier to accomplish. Also in place are ways to protect rural areas from suburban development,
by newly created standards to protect rural lifestyles.
The Zoning/Code Administration Section assists landowners wishing to rezone property, administers the County's Land Development Code and implements
the County's Comprehensive Plan. These activities help protect natural resources, community design standards, and concurrency standards for orderly growth
and development. Zoning/Code administration also conducts the Hearing Master Programs for permitting development activities by the Board of County Commissioners.
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