Zoning explained · Palm Beach County

Old School Square Historic Arts District (OSSHAD) Delray Beach, Florida

OSSHAD is a mixed use district for residential, office and commercial activities with an emphasis on the arts, intended to restore or preserve historic structures and maintain the historic, pedestrian scale of the area. Retail is limited to specialty shops, and certain designated lots also get the Central Business District permitted uses.

5 buildings zoned OSSHAD23 permitted business types
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Insights › Zoning & land use › Delray Beach — OSSHAD
Permitted uses

What you can operate in OSSHAD, Delray Beach

The businesses the OSSHAD district in Delray Beach allows. The ones on the left are permitted by right; the ones on the right need a special approval first. (Zoning codes are set by each municipality, so OSSHAD here means specifically Delray Beach's OSSHAD district.)

Allowed by right
Single family detached dwellingsDuplex structuresBusiness, Professional, Medical and Governmental OfficesRetail through specialty shops (single purpose businesses) such as bath shops, book stores, gift shops, florists, hobby shops, kitchen shops, boutiques, bicycle shops (excluding liquor stores, convenience stores and pharmacies)Arts related businesses such as craft shops, galleries, and studios (preparation, display, and/or sale of art products such as antiques, collectibles, custom apparel, jewelry, paintings, photography, picture framing, pottery, sculpture, stained glass)Educational and/or Instructional activities including training, vocational, or craft schools, the arts, personal development, and libraries, museums, and social and philanthropic institutionsRestaurants of a sit down nature such as a cafe, snack shop, full service dining (excluding drive-in and/or drive-through facilities)Personal services such as barbershops, beauty shops, salons, cosmetologistsBed and Breakfast Inns (subject to LDR Section 4.3.3(Y))Catering services not associated with a restaurant (subject to Section 4.4.24(H); max 2,000 sq ft)Community Residence housing four to ten individuals (only if at least 660 ft from an existing community residence and operator licensed/certified/accredited/recognized)Uses permitted in the Central Business District, Section 4.4.13(B) (only within designated lots: Lots 13-16 Block 60; Lots 1-4 Block 61; Lots 1-7, 16-18 and 19-24 Block 69; Lots 23-25 Block 70; Lots 7-8 and S 34.75 ft of Lot 6 Block 75; Lots 1-6 Block 76)Assisted Living Facilities that do not comport with the definition of community residenceNursing HomesTattoo Establishments (pursuant to restrictions in Section 4.3.3(ZB))
With special approval
Outdoor dining which operates at night or which is the principal use or purpose of the associated restaurantChild Care, and Adult Day CarePublic Parking lots not associated with a useResidential-type inns (not to exceed 18 individually leased suites or rooms per acre)Community Residence housing four to ten individuals (if less than 660 ft from an existing community residence or state licensing/certification not required or not held)Large Family Child Care Home (subject to Section 4.3.3(TT))Pet services and veterinary clinics (subject to Sections 4.3.3(W) and 4.4.24(H)(8))24-hour or late night businesses (processed as conditional use per Section 4.4.24(H), subject to Section 4.3.3(VV))
Build envelope

Development standards

Headline dimensional limits for this district. Confirm exact figures against the current code for your specific parcel.

StandardResidential floor area within a structure containing permitted non-residential use may not exceed 50 percent of the structure's gross floor area
StandardResidential uses must comprise no less than ten percent of uses in the district (by parcel)
StandardMaximum width of a building fronting a street is 60 feet with 15 ft minimum separation between buildings (except designated CBD-standard lots and Old School Square Cultural Arts Complex)
StandardThird floor area limited to 50 percent of second floor area
StandardDesignated lots use CBD Commercial Core (CC) or West Atlantic Neighborhood (WAN) development standards
StandardParking (except single family and duplex) in side or rear yard or adjacent to rear alley
StandardVeterinary clinics outpatient only; overnight boarding and outside use areas prohibited; not in mixed-use buildings with residential
StandardAll properties subject to Section 4.5.1 (historic district)
Accessory usesUses and structures normally associated with residences such as bird aviaries, dog houses and dog runs, garages, greenhouses, guest cottages, playhouses, pool houses and covers/enclosures, pump houses, slat houses, storage sheds, workshops, swimming pools, and home-based businesses; On a parcel with a non-residential principal use, no more than two residential units (in a separate structure or within the non-residential structure); Family Day Care Home (pursuant to Section 4.3.3(T)); Parking lots and refuse storage areas; Outdoor dining areas accessory or supplemental to a restaurant or business use (limited to daylight hours); Uses permitted as accessory in the Central Business District, Section 4.4.13(C) (only within the designated lots listed above); Urban Agriculture (pursuant to Section 4.3.3(D))
StandardRead from LDR Sec. 4.4.24; permitted = by right, conditional = needs conditional-use / special-exception approval
The fine print

In plain English

BY RIGHT No hearing needed

If your business is on the by-right list, you can occupy a space in this district and open — no zoning hearing. Building permits and licensing still apply, but the use itself is already allowed.

SPECIAL Approval first

Special-approval uses can work here too, but they go through a public review before opening. Plan for extra time and possible conditions — we'll tell you which path a space needs.

Available now

Spaces zoned OSSHAD in Delray Beach

2 spaces available in this district, largest first. Click any space to view it.

FOR SALE 1,210 SF
12 SE 1st Ave, Delray Beach — Unit 102
Delray Beach
$990,000View →
FOR SALE 950 SF
23 S Swinton Ave, Delray Beach — 1st Floor
Delray Beach
$3,000,000View →

Looking for space zoned OSSHAD in Delray Beach?

Tell us what you'll run in it — we'll match you to the right building in Delray Beach and flag anything that needs approval.

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Based on the Delray Beach zoning code.
Educational content — not legal or zoning advice. Verify permitted uses with the municipality for your specific parcel.