Bradenton, FL Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)

The City of Bradenton's density bonuses sit in the footnotes to the district dimension schedules of section 3.2. The first is on schedule 3.2.2.1. The Urban Village (UV) column shows maximum density of 25 units per acre with an asterisk, and the asterisk note reads: a five-unit density bonus is permitted with the provision of affordable housing. The other residential columns print 6 units per acre in R-1, 10 in R-2, 15 in R-3 and 15 in R-4, with no bonus attached.

The second is footnote (6) to schedule 3.2.2.2, which is attached to the maximum residential density row for the mixed-use and non-residential districts. A density bonus of up to ten dwelling units per acre may be granted for planned development project applications subject to architectural review board (ARB) design and compatibility review. Each bonus unit has to meet three conditions: it remains owner occupied with homestead tax exemption status; its initial sales price does not exceed the purchase price limit in the adopted City of Bradenton Local Housing Agency Plan, as amended from time to time; and it does not exceed that purchase price limit for not less than five years from the date of first occupancy.

The bonus is discretionary. It is granted through the planned development project route, which is why the ARB reviews the design and compatibility of the units before approval. Footnote (8) on the same schedule also limits areas inside the coastal high hazard area, the category 1 storm surge line established by the SLOSH computerized storm model, to the dimensional and area standards and density limitations set for the R-3C district, so a coastal site needs that check before counting on any bonus units.

The PCD director handles permitted uses under section 2.2.1, while special use approvals follow section 2.2.4.