City of Sarasota · Rezoning
Rezoning in City of Sarasota
Change what the land is allowed to become. Here's how it works in City of Sarasota — and how we manage it end to end.
Rezoning in City of Sarasota
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Rezoning changes a property's zoning designation so the code allows a different use or density than it does today. It's a legislative, public, discretionary decision — not an over-the-counter permit — and it's the foundation of most land development.
Because it changes what can legally be built, rezoning is where raw or underused land gains its development value. Approved, a parcel's potential — and what a lender or appraiser will value it at — can change dramatically. It pairs with land entitlements and development strategy.
How it works in City of Sarasota
Decided by: Development Review Committee → Planning Board (recommends) → City Commission (adopts the ordinance)
Typical timeline: ~4–8+ months
Controlling code: Sarasota Zoning Code (2002 Ed.)
A City of Sarasota rezoning is a legislative act that ends in an ordinance adopted by the City Commission. It runs through a pre-application conference, a required Community Workshop, and technical review by the Development Review Committee (DRC) before public hearings.
Applications are filed with the City Auditor & Clerk through the ftgportal portal; staff issue a completeness determination in about 7 business days, and owners within 500 feet are notified. Consistency with the Sarasota City Plan (2030) is the controlling test — a consistent, well-justified petition is hard to deny.
We prepare the application and proffer, run the Community Workshop, clear DRC comments, and carry the rezoning through the Planning Board and City Commission hearings.
How we manage it
- →Confirm the request aligns with the comprehensive plan and pencils out before you file
- →Prepare the application, justification narrative, and supporting studies
- →Manage staff review and reviewer comments
- →Represent the request through the planning board and the elected commission hearings
Frequently asked questions
- Is rezoning the same as a variance?
- No. Rezoning changes the zoning category itself (a legislative act); a variance grants relief from a specific dimensional rule within the existing zoning. We handle both.
Planning a project in City of Sarasota?
Tell us about your project. We reply within one business day — and we’ll tell you straight whether we’re the right fit.