Building Setbacks & Zoning in Hollywood, FL

If you live in Hollywood or are thinking about moving there, building setbacks & zoning are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Hollywood has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of building setbacks & zoning, and some of them might surprise you.

Structure Height Limits

Hollywood caps single-family homes in the RS-1 zoning district at 30 feet and no more than two stories under § 4.1's Development Regulations table. The limit sits alongside minimum lot area, width, and unit-size standards, with design-compatibility appeals going to the Planning and Development Board.

Key details: Governing section: § 4.1.B RS-1 table, Zoning Regulations. Max height, RS-1: 30 feet, not to exceed 2 stories. Min lot area, RS-1: 4,000 sq. ft.. Front yard landscaping: 20% sodded or pervious open space. Design appeal body: Planning and Development Board.

Building above the 30-foot, two-story limit without an approved variance is enforced as a zoning violation through the city's Building, Engineering and Community Development Department and, if unresolved, the Special Magistrate under Chapter 36, which can fine the property owner up to $1,000 per day the violation continues under § 36.29, with a lien recordable against the property.

Lot Coverage Limits

In Hollywood's AD Limited Agricultural District, Code of Ordinances § 4.5.B caps structures at 20 percent of the lot. The same development-regulations table sets a 35,000 sq. ft. minimum lot area, 125 ft. minimum lot width and 60 ft. maximum height, so an agriculturally-zoned parcel can only put a fifth of its area under roof.

Key details: District: AD Limited Agricultural. Max lot coverage (structures): 20%. Min lot area: 35,000 sq ft. Min lot width: 125 ft. Max height: 60 ft.

The Department of Planning and Development Services reviews building permit applications against the § 4.5.B lot coverage table before issuing a permit for new construction on AD-zoned land; a structure or addition that would push building footprint past 20 percent of the lot cannot be permitted as of right and requires either a redesign or, if available, board relief through the city's variance process.

Setback Rules

Hollywood's AD Limited Agricultural District carries its own setback table. Code of Ordinances § 4.5.C.1 requires a 25 ft. front setback, a 10 ft. side setback next to a single-family use (25 ft. for any other use), a side-street setback of 25 percent of lot width up to 25 ft., and a 25 ft. rear setback for structures under 20 ft. tall.

Key details: Front setback: 25 ft. Side setback (single family): 10 ft. Side setback (other use): 25 ft. Side-street setback: 25% of lot width, max 25 ft. Rear setback: 25 ft.

Planning and Development Services checks every AD-zoned building permit application against the § 4.5.C setback table, including the height-based additions in C.2 and C.3 and the separate 100 ft. (or 50 ft.) animal-storage setback in C.4; a structure sited inside the required yard cannot receive a building permit or certificate of occupancy without a variance from the applicable board.

The Bottom Line

Hollywood's building setbacks & zoning rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Hollywood is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Hollywood's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.