Building Setbacks & Zoning in Pembroke Pines, FL

If you live in Pembroke Pines 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. Pembroke Pines has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of building setbacks & zoning, and some of them might surprise you.

Lot Coverage Limits

Single-family lots in Pembroke Pines' R-1A, R-1B, and R-1C districts cannot cover more than 40% of the lot with buildings under Table 155.421.1 through .3 of the Land Development Code. The same 40% ceiling applies to both residential and nonresidential structures, on top of each district's minimum lot size and setback rules.

Key details: R-1A/R-1B/R-1C cap: 40% of lot area. R-E district cap: 20% of lot area. Agriculture (A) district cap: 20%-25% by lot size. Applies to: Both residential and nonresidential uses. Accessory structures: Count toward the same cap.

Building and zoning permit applications are checked against Table 155.421's coverage figures before a permit issues, and any construction that exceeds the district cap is a Land Development Code violation enforceable through the Code Enforcement Board (Section 32.050). An uncorrected violation can draw fines up to $250 per day for a first offense and $500 per day for a repeat offense under Section 32.058, which may be recorded as a lien against the property, in addition to any order to remove the noncompliant structure.

Structure Height Limits

Homes in Pembroke Pines' R-1A, R-1B, and R-1C districts are capped at two stories or 35 feet, whichever governs, under Table 155.421.1 through .3. Section 155.636 then sets narrow exceptions letting roof features, flagpoles, and parapet walls poke above that line without a variance.

Key details: R-1A/R-1B/R-1C height cap: Two stories or 35 feet. R-E nonresidential cap: 60 feet. Roof feature encroachment: Up to 30% of roof area. Residential flagpole limit: 25 feet. Parapet wall allowance: 5 feet above allowable height.

Height limits are enforced as part of the Land Development Code through the Code Enforcement Board under Section 32.050. Building a structure over the district's height cap, or an unpermitted rooftop encroachment beyond Section 155.636's carve-outs, can draw fines up to $250 per day for a first violation and $500 per day for a repeat violation under Section 32.058, which the city can record as a lien against the property, on top of any order to bring the structure into compliance.

Setback Rules

Pembroke Pines sets front, side, rear and street-side setback minimums separately for each residential zoning district in LDC § 155.421. The Residential Single-Family districts (R-1A, R-1B, R-1C) share a 25-foot front and 15-foot rear setback but scale side setbacks down as lot width shrinks.

Key details: R-1A front / rear setback: 25 feet / 15 feet. R-1A side setback: 10 feet (5 ft on narrow lot). R-1B/R-1C side setback: 7.5 feet. R-1A minimum lot: 100-ft width, 10,000 sq ft. Nonresidential height add-on: +1 ft side per 2 ft over 20 ft.

Reducing or diminishing a required setback below the LDC minimum is listed as a specific violation of the Land Development Code under § 155.313(B)(2)(h). The Planning and Economic Development Department and Code Compliance Division enforce setback compliance, and unresolved cases go to the Code Enforcement Board, a special magistrate, or county court under Chapter 32 of the City Code and F.S. Chapter 162, with written notice to abate before any city abatement action is billed to the property owner.

The Bottom Line

Pembroke Pines'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 Pembroke Pines is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Pembroke Pines's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.