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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Density bonus
25 percent above base density
Affordable set-aside required
30 percent of units
Minimum base density
6 units per acre
Excluded areas
Coastal hazard zones, barrier islands
Review process
Same as a rezoning application

Summary

Unincorporated Brevard County developers can get a 25 percent density bonus when at least 30 percent of a project's units are affordable housing, under Code Section 62-6305.

City-specific rules exist: Melbourne, and Palm Bay have their own density bonus law rules that differ from Brevard County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Developments located within any residential or commercial zoning or future land use category with a density of six units per acre or greater, and with a minimum 30 percent of units designated as affordable housing, or meeting the (AHTC) definition and eligibility requirements, are eligible to apply for a 25 percent density bonus consistent with the criteria in the county comprehensive plan, provided the overall residential development density does not exceed the density in the next highest residential future land use designation. An application for a density bonus, that does not otherwise require a rezoning or amendment to the comprehensive plan, shall be submitted and evaluated in the same manner as an amendment to the official zoning map, pursuant to the process set forth in section 62-1151. In evaluating the density bonus request, the board shall consider the density and intensity of surrounding land uses and compatibility with neighboring uses in determining the maximum density to allow. A density bonus may be less than the highest density bonus amount permitted by the comprehensive plan and future land use designations.

Developments located in unincorporated Brevard County within any coastal hazard area defined by the comprehensive plan, or on any of the barrier islands, are not eligible for a density bonus under this section.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).

Full Breakdown

Under Brevard County Code Section 62-6305, developments in unincorporated Brevard sited on land zoned or designated for six units per acre or more can apply for a 25 percent density bonus if at least 30 percent of the resulting units are affordable housing or meet the county Affordable Housing Tax Credit eligibility standards. The application is reviewed like a rezoning, and the board weighs density and compatibility with surrounding land uses. Coastal hazard areas and barrier islands are excluded outright, and the bonus cannot push density past the next-highest residential future land use category.

Violations & Fines

Bonus units require a recorded land use and deed restriction affordability agreement with the county; a development that fails to meet the 30 percent affordable threshold or record the agreement loses eligibility and reverts to standard zoning density.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this density bonus apply inside Cocoa, Titusville, or Melbourne?
No. Section 62-6305 is county code for unincorporated Brevard only; those cities and other Space Coast municipalities set their own density and affordable-housing rules.
Can a barrier island project use the density bonus?
No. The ordinance expressly excludes developments in coastal hazard areas and on any barrier island from eligibility for the density bonus.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Brevard County

All Brevard County rules

Florida rules heatmap·Compare Brevard County to another location·View the Florida zoning overlays & bonuses overview

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