Zoning explained · Broward County

General Business District Fort Lauderdale, Florida

General commercial district for businesses that cater infrequently to households: broad retail, food, services, offices, automotive sales/repair/service, hotels, and self-storage as permitted uses. No manufacturing or warehousing/wholesale category is listed; marinas, firearms range, mixed use, pain-management/adult gaming/cannabis dispensaries and similar uses are conditional.

1 building zoned B-2153 permitted business types

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Insights › Zoning & land use › Fort Lauderdale — B-2

Permitted uses

What you can operate in B-2, Fort Lauderdale

The businesses the B-2 district in Fort Lauderdale 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 B-2 here means specifically Fort Lauderdale's B-2 district.)

Allowed by right

Automotive Detailing and Alarm SystemsAutomotive Sales, Rental, new or used vehicles, see Section 47-18.3Automotive Parts & Supplies Store, including installationAutomotive Repair Shop including major repair, see Section 47-18.4Automotive Service Station, see Section 47-18.5Car Wash, Automatic, see Section 47-18.7Motorcycle/Moped SalesRecreation Camper and Trailers, Sales and Rental, see Section 47-18.27Taxi Lot/OperationsTire Sales, including Retreading and ServiceMarine Parts and Supplies StoreSailmakingWatercraft Repair, major repair, see Section 47-18.37Watercraft Sales and Rental, new or used, see Section 47-18.36Billiard ParlorBingo HallBowling AlleyIndoor Motion Picture TheaterPerforming Arts TheaterBakery StoreBar, Cocktail Lounge, NightclubCafeteriaCandy, Nuts StoreConvenience Kiosk. See Sec. 47-18.43Convenience Store. See Sec. 47-18.43Convenience Store, Multi-Purpose. See Sec. 47-18.43DelicatessenFood and Beverage Drive-ThruFruit and Produce StoreGrocery/Food StoreIce Cream/Yogurt StoreLiquor Store. See Sec. 47-18.43Meat and Poultry StorePackage Liquor Store. See Sec. 47-18.43RestaurantSeafood StoreSupermarketHotel, see Section 47-18.16Bus Terminal, Railroad StationCivic and Private Club FacilityGovernment AdministrationHospitalHouse of WorshipLibraryMuseumActive and Passive Park, see Section 47-18.44Public/Private RecreationPolice and Fire SubstationPost Office SubstationSchoolAntiques StoreApparel/Accessories StoreArts & Crafts Supplies StoreArt Galleries, Art StudioBait and Tackle StoreBicycle ShopBook StoreCamera, Photographic Supplies StoreCard & Stationery StoreCigar, Tobacco StoreComputer/Software StoreConsignment, Thrift StoreCosmetic, Sundries StoreDepartment StoreFabric, Needlework, Yarn ShopFirearms StoreFlooring StoreFlorist ShopFurniture StoreGifts, Novelties, Souvenirs StoreGlassware, China, Pottery StoreHardware StoreHobby Items, Toys, Games StoreHoliday-Related Merchandise, Outdoor Sales, see Section 47-18.15Home Improvement CenterHousehold Appliances StoreJewelry StoreLawn & Garden Center, Outdoor display permittedLinen, Bath, Bedding StoreLuggage, Handbags, Leather Goods StoreMedical SuppliesMobile Vendor, see Section 47-18.22Music, Musical Instruments StoreNewspapers, Magazines StoreNurseryOffice Supplies, Office Equipment StoreOptical StorePaint, Wallpaper StoreParty Supply StorePawn ShopPet StorePharmacyShoe StoreSporting Goods StoreTapes, Videos, Music CD's StoresAuction HouseCopy CenterCheck Cashing StoreDry Cleaner, see Section 47-18.12Financial Institution, including Drive-Thru BanksFilm Processing Plant, including wholesale salesFormal Wear, RentalFortune Tellers, Psychic ReadersFuneral HomeHair SalonHealth and Fitness CenterInstruction: Fine Arts, Sports Recreation, Dance, Music, TheaterInterior DecoratorLaundromat, see Section 47-18.19Mail, Postage, Fax ServiceMassage TherapistMedical ClinicNail SalonNursing HomeMedical/Dental OfficeParking Facility, see Section 47-20Personnel ServicesPest ControlPet Boarding Domestic Animals onlyProfessional OfficePhotographic StudioPublishingSecurity SystemsSenior Citizen Center, see Section 47-18.30Shoe Repair, Shoe ShineSwimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas, supplies and servicesTailor, Dressmaking Store, Direct to the CustomerTanning SalonTattoo ArtistTrade/Business SchoolTravel AgencyVeterinary Clinic, see Section 47-18.35Watch and Jewelry RepairSelf-Storage Facility, see Section 47-18.29Urban Agriculture (see Sec. 47-18.41)

With special approval

Car Wash, Outdoor Hand-washCharter and Sightseeing Boat, see Section 47-23.8Hotel Marina, see Section 47-23.8Marina, see Section 47-23.8Marine Service Station see Section 47-18.20Watercraft Sales, Rental, new or used, see Section 47-18.36Indoor Firearms Range, see Section 47-18.18Golf Course, Golf RangeMiniature golfMixed Use Development, see Section 47-18.21Social Service Residential Facility, see Section 47-18.32Food Distribution Center, see Section 47-18.31Radio Broadcast Facility, Production Facility, Radio, Television and Motion Picture ProductionPain Management ClinicAdult Gaming Center, see Section 47-18.42Child Day Care Facility, see Section 47-18.8Helistop, see Section 47-18.14Medical Cannabis Dispensing Facilities, see Section 47-18.46

Build envelope

Development standards

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

Required useportion of property fronting a navigable waterway must be marina, hotel marina or shipyard (Sec. 47-23.8)

StandardMax height 150 ft (120 ft east of the Intracoastal Waterway); no minimum lot size/width; no max FAR

StandardFront and corner yard 5 ft; side yard 15 ft and rear yard 20 ft when contiguous to residential property; otherwise none

Accessory usesAccessory uses to Hotels, see Section 47-19.8; Catering Service; Child Day Care—Corporate/Employee Sponsors, when accessory to Professional Office, see Section 47-18.8; Electronic Installation, when accessory to electronic sales; Film Processing, when accessory to a permitted use; Outdoor Dining and Sidewalk Café, see Section 47-19.9; Outdoor storage, see Section 47-19.9; Video Games Arcade, when accessory to a shopping center; Outdoor Television and Motion Picture Production when Ancillary to Television and Motion Picture Production

StandardRead from Sec. 47-6.12 (use list); Sec. 47-6.20 (dimensions); 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.

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