Miramar's Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles zoning overlays & bonuses a little differently. In Miramar, Florida, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Density Bonus Law

Miramar's SR-7 Corridor Overlay District lets developers earn extra floor area and building height above the district's base 0.34 floor area ratio by assembling adjoining lots along State Road 7. Land Development Code Sec. 712.6 ties four escalating density bonus tiers to the amount of lot assembly achieved under Table 2, topping out at a 1.0 floor area ratio and 90-foot, six-story buildings for assembled mixed retail/office projects.

Key details: Governing section: LDC Sec. 712 (SR-7 Overlay District). Base FAR: 0.34, height 2/30 to 1.5/36. Maximum bonus FAR: 1.0 (Bonus 4, retail/office). Maximum bonus height: 6 stories / 90 feet. Bonus trigger: Lot assembly per Table 2.

Development that does not meet the Table 2 lot-assembly threshold for a given bonus tier is not entitled to that tier's added floor area or height and is limited to the next-lower tier or the 0.34 FAR base density. Sec. 712.4.3 separately requires existing nonconforming SR-7 commercial properties to reach full compliance and obtain a letter of compliance for recordation with Broward County within ten years of the overlay's adoption, with the city commission able to grant up to a three-year extension on a showing of reasonable compliance effort.

Downtown Design Guide

Nearly every new building, addition or major renovation in Miramar, apart from single-family and duplex homes, must clear Community Appearance Board review under the citywide Community Design Plan, and LDC Section 813.3.3.3 directs that construction exhibit Spanish, Italian or French Mediterranean Revival style architecture before a building permit will issue.

Key details: CAB review required: all buildings except single-family, duplex. Mandated architectural style: Spanish/Italian/French Mediterranean Revival. Notice-to-application window: 10 working days. Permit window after CAB approval: 30 days. Plan revision window: 90 days after request.

A structure cited by the Code Compliance Division for a design-standard violation gets 10 working days from the notice to file a complete CAB review application with the Community and Economic Development Department, and no citation issues while that review is pending. Once CAB grants approval, the owner has 30 days to obtain the building or painting permit; missing that window without documented progress results in the citation being issued to the owner under Section 813.2.3.2.4.

This is one of the stricter rules in Miramar's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Miramar's zoning overlays & bonuses 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 Miramar is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Miramar'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.