Building Setbacks & Zoning in Monroe County, FL (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Monroe County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Every parcel in the unincorporated Florida Keys must meet a minimum front, side and rear yard setback set by its land use district under Land Development Code Section 131-1. A Suburban Residential lot needs 25 feet in front and 10 feet on the sides, while a Destination Resort parcel needs 50 feet in front and 30 feet in the rear, the widest setbacks Monroe County requires.
Monroe County Keys Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 131-1
(a)Unless otherwise allowed for in this Land Development Code, no structure or land shall be developed, used or occupied except in accordance with the bulk regulations set out in the following table. Land Use District/ Land Use Primary Front Yard (ft.)*** Secondary Front Yard (ft.)*** Primary Side Yard (ft.)*** Secondary Side Yard (ft.)*** Rear Yard (ft.)*** ... Suburban Residential (SR) 25 15 ...
Structure Height Limits
Monroe County caps building height at 35 feet across the unincorporated Florida Keys under Land Development Code Section 131-2, with only narrow exceptions for chimneys, antennas and flagpoles. Homes voluntarily elevated above flood level can add 3 to 5 feet, and the Airport District's 35-foot limit is absolute with no exceptions at all.
Monroe County Keys 35-Foot Height Cap
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 131-2
No structure or building shall be developed that exceeds a maximum height of 35 feet. Exceptions will be allowed for chimneys; spires and/or steeples on structures used for institutional and/or public uses only; radio and/or television antenna; flagpoles; solar apparatus; utility poles and/or transmission towers; and certain antenna supporting structures with attached antenna and/or collocation...
Lot Coverage Limits
Monroe County limits lot coverage in the unincorporated Florida Keys through a minimum open space ratio rather than a flat percentage cap. Under Land Development Code Section 130-157, Suburban Residential lots must stay 50 percent open, Urban Residential lots only 20 percent, and Native Area or Offshore Island parcels up to 95 percent, with Chapter 118 able to require even stricter ratios near wetlands.
Monroe County Keys Open Space Lot Coverage
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code §§ 101-1, 130-157
Open space ratio (OSR) means the percentage of the total gross area of a parcel that is open space. ... Sec. 130-157. - Maximum Permanent Residential Density and Minimum Required Open Space. The maximum permanent residential density for those uses permitted by this chapter and minimum required open space shall be in accordance with the following table: ... Land Use District Allocated Density(a)...
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