Zoning explained · Broward County

Commercial Warehouse District (Broward County Code Ch. 39) Fort Lauderdale, Florida

C-1 is a Broward County (not Fort Lauderdale ULDR) district intended for repair and maintenance services, wholesale, storage and warehouse uses, and sales or rental of large machinery and equipment serving a regional clientele. It appears on Fort Lauderdale listing records as county zoning carried on annexed/unincorporated parcels.

2 buildings zoned C-177 permitted business types
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Insights › Zoning & land use › Fort Lauderdale — C-1
Permitted uses

What you can operate in C-1, Fort Lauderdale

The businesses the C-1 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 C-1 here means specifically Fort Lauderdale's C-1 district.)

Allowed by right
Adult entertainment establishmentsAppliance store (major)Auction houseAutomobile, truck, and recreational vehicle accessories; sales and installationAutomobile detailing or cleaning (other than automated car washes)Automobile repair garage (mechanical)Automobile paint and body shopAwning and canvas shopBar, lounge, tavern or pubBingo hallBlood bankBoarding or breeding kennelBoat building, repair, and dry storageBoat salesBottled gas storage, filling or distributionBowling centerBus terminalCabinet or carpenter shopCar wash, self-service or automatedCatering or food delivery serviceClothing donation binClub, private bottleClub, private fraternal or lodgeCommercial vehicle storage yard (nonaccessory)Contractor's shopsConvenience storeCourier serviceDry cleaning or laundry drop-off and pick-upElectronics sales or repairEmployment agency, day laborEquipment sales and rental (construction, industrial, agricultural)Essential services and utilitiesFlooring store (carpet, tile, etc.)Fuel retailerFuneral home, mortuaryGlass and mirror shopHardware storeHome improvement centerLaboratory (medical, dental, research and development)Lawn and garden shopLumberyardMarinaMobile collection centerOffices (business, professional or governmental)Package delivery servicePackage liquor, beer or wineParts store, vehicles, or boatsPawnshopPersonal service shops (other than those specified herein)Pest control servicePlant or produce salesPhotocopy or small job printing shopRecording or broadcasting studio (music, radio, television, film)Repair shop, household and personal itemsRestaurant, fast foodRestaurant, full serviceRestaurant, take-outSchool, trade or vocationalSoft drink bottlingSwap meet or outdoor flea marketSwimming pool suppliesTarget rangeTattoo shopTool rental (small tools and equipment)Upholstery shopUnion hallVehicle sales, rental or leasing (autos, trucks, recreational)Veterinary clinicVeterinary hospitalWarehouse, self-storageWholesale distribution warehousesWholesale storesWireless communication facilities
With special approval
Holiday wayside standMobile food unitOutdoor eventOutdoor grilling accessory to a fast food, full service, or take-out restaurant
Build envelope

Development standards

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

StandardNo minimum plot size (Sec. 39-297)
StandardMax plot coverage 35% of net acreage (Sec. 39-298)
StandardHeight 35 ft within 100 ft of single/two-family zoning; 55 ft beyond 100 ft; 120 ft beyond 200 ft (Sec. 39-299)
Accessory usesAccessory dwellings; Accessory structures
StandardRead from Broward County Code Sec. 39-292/39-293(e)/39-295 (Master Business List, C-1 column); 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.

Looking for space zoned C-1 in Fort Lauderdale?

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

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Sourced from the Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances. View the official code ↗
Educational content — not legal or zoning advice. Verify permitted uses with the municipality for your specific parcel.