Monroe County, FL Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Overlay designation
- "A" on Future Land Use Map
- Residential density allowed
- 0 dwelling units per acre
- Nonresidential rooms/spaces allowed
- 0 per buildable acre
- Max nonresidential floor area ratio
- 0.25
- Underlying zoning
- still applies except density/intensity
Summary
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), the Agricultural/Aquacultural Use Overlay layers onto any underlying zoning district but overrides its density and intensity rules, allowing zero residential dwelling units per acre and capping nonresidential floor area at a 0.25 floor area ratio under Land Development Code Section 130-120.
The Agricultural/Aquacultural Use zoning overlay district provides classifications of property for existing or future agricultural/ aquacultural uses. Property identified on the Monroe County Future Land Use Map with a designation of "A" may have any land use district as its designated zoning category. The use within the overlay district shall be subject to all land development regulations of the underlying zoning district with the exception of those regulations controlling density and intensity. The use within the overlay district shall be developed with the following density and intensity regulations: Residential Nonresidential Allocated Density (Per Upland Acre) Maximum Net Density (Per Buildable Acre) Maximum Intensity (Floor Area Ratio) 0 du 0 rooms/spaces N/A N/A 0.25
Full Breakdown
Section 130-120 creates the Agricultural/Aquacultural Use overlay, mapped on the Monroe County Future Land Use Map with an 'A' designation, for land devoted to existing or future farming and aquaculture. A parcel carrying the overlay can sit on top of any underlying land use zoning district, and it stays subject to that district's other land development regulations, such as bufferyards, environmental design, and access standards, except for the rules that set density and intensity. 25. 25 ratio. The overlay dates to Ordinance No. 006-2016, which rewrote the Land Development Code in its current form, and it sits alongside the county's other zoning overlays, such as the Military Airports and Coastal Barrier Resources System overlays, in Article IV of Chapter 130.
Violations & Fines
Development that exceeds the overlay's 0.25 floor area ratio or that adds residential density inconsistent with the zero-dwelling-unit allowance is a zoning violation subject to Monroe County Code Compliance review and correction before a building permit or certificate of occupancy will issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a house on land mapped with the Agricultural overlay?
What can I build on Agricultural overlay land?
Does the Agricultural overlay replace my zoning district?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Monroe County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Monroe County to another location·View the Florida right to farm overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.