Developing in the City of Melbourne

A “formal” site plan review application is coordinated through the Planning Division for review by staff, then approval by Planning & Zoning Board and City Council. The following development shall be considered for formal site plan approval:

• Commercial development over 3 acres
• Industrial development over 5 acres
• Multifamily development over 20 units
• Development in the Downtown Melbourne Redevelopment Area with net building addition of 25% or more
• Subdivisions

Pre-application Meeting

When the development questions become more involved, a pre-application meeting offers a chance to discuss the details with applicable development review staff from many departments within the City.

Contact the Planning Division

• Phone: 321-608-7500
• E-mail: community.development@mlbfl.org

Informal site plans are coordinated through the Engineering Department for review and final consideration by city staff.

• Commercial development less than 3 acres not qualified as a “Re-Development”

• Industrial development less than 5 acres not qualified as a “Re-Development"

For more information please see Construction Plan Review.

Re-development site plans are coordinated through the Engineering Department for review and final consideration by city staff. Existing commercial developments meeting ALL of the following determinants:

• Increases the impervious area for parking by more than 1,500 sq. ft. but less than 4,000 sq. ft.

• Does not include water and/or sewer changes, except addition of RPZ

• Does not require Planning & Zoning or Council approval

• Does not require SJRWMD Permit

• May require Architectural Review Board approval

• May require variance

• May require FDOT Permit

• May include a building addition

For more information please see Construction Plan Review.

Re-development site plans are coordinated through the Engineering Department for review and final consideration by city staff.  Existing commercial developments shall meet ALL of the following determinants:

• Does not increase the impervious area by more than 1,500 sq. ft.

• Does not include water and/or sewer changes, except addition of RPZ

• Does not include a building addition

• Does not require Planning & Zoning or Council approval

• Does not require SJRWMD Permit
  
  
• Does not require FDEP or FDOT Permits
  
  
• May require Architectural Review Board approval
  
  
• May require variance

For more information please see Construction Plan Review.

A variance provides relief from zoning code requirements when strict compliance would result in unique difficulties for a property owner. For variance purposes, such difficulties are referred to as a hardship. A hardship is a condition that must relate to special circumstances or conditions specific to a particular property. Typical variance requests are for relief from setback, building height, parking, and landscaping requirements. The requested variance must be the minimum necessary to grant relief and cannot confer a special privilege when compared to nearby properties. Economic or self-imposed conditions do not constitute justification for a variance request. 

Need Help?

• Call the Planner of the Day: 321-608-7500
• Stop by the Planning office on the third floor of City Hall.

The City of Melbourne has two community redevelopment areas (CRAs): 

• Melbourne Downtown CRA

• Olde Eau Gallie Riverfront CRA

For properties located within the Downtown Melbourne CRA and the Eau Gallie CRA, there are thresholds for the review of development projects:

• Projects that include renovation of any facility requiring an increase of less than 25 percent of the gross square footage of the floor area shall only require city staff approval through the Engineering Department (For more information please see Construction Plan Review);

• Projects located on property less than 1 acre is considered to be a Formal Site Plan for review and final consideration by the Planning and Zoning Board; and

• Projects located on property greater than 1 acre are considered to be a Formal Site Plan for review and final consideration by the Planning and Zoning Board and City Council.

• Projects located within the Eau Gallie Art Overlay Zone. This section shall apply to 21 square blocks of existing residential housing as an area that supports a live/work environment for artists, limited office, and low intensity commercial uses while maintaining the residential character of the neighborhood. The zone shall promote a scale of development conducive to pedestrian activity and encourage the use of consistent sidewalks, landscaping and business signage. Utilizing the existing scale of structures, new structures and buildings will provide the opportunity to create a focus for revitalization and promotion of the historical, cultural and artistic environment. Overlay regulations only apply to properties with a mixed use future land use classification and C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning.

Need Help?

• Call the Planner of the Day: 321-608-7500
• Stop by the Planning office on the third floor of City Hall
  
  

Applying for an Alcohol License in the State of Florida

Applying for a Hotel/Restaurant License in the State of Florida

Business Tax Receipts

Planning and Zoning Board

Zoning Board of Adjustment

Need Help?

• Call the Planner of the Day: 321-608-7500
• Stop by the Planning office on the third floor of City Hall