Zoning explained · Broward County

Limited Manufacturing and Industrial District (Broward County Code Ch. 39) Fort Lauderdale, Florida

M-1 is a Broward County (not Fort Lauderdale ULDR) district for manufacture of small articles and products without hazardous processes, acting as a buffer between commercial and heavier industrial districts; all activities and storage must be inside buildings.

1 building zoned M-140 permitted business types
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Insights › Zoning & land use › Fort Lauderdale — M-1
Permitted uses

What you can operate in M-1, Fort Lauderdale

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

Allowed by right
Assembly (pre-manufactured components)Automobile detailing or cleaning (other than car washes)Automobile, truck, and equipment repair garage (mechanical, paint, or body repairs)Automobile storage or transport facility (operable vehicles)Boat salesCabinet shops, woodworking shopsCatering or food delivery serviceClothing donation binClothing manufacturingContractor's shops, inside storage onlyCosmetics and pharmaceuticals manufacturingCourier serviceElectronics manufacturing and repairEssential services (utilities and accessory structures)Food processing, packaging and distribution including meat packing (no slaughtering)Fuel retailer (See Section 39-300(q))Furniture manufacturingGlass and mirror shopLaboratory (medical, dental, research and development)Mobile collection centerPackaging and delivery servicePaper and cardboard products manufacturing (from pre-manufactured paper or cardboard)Parts store, vehicles or boatsPest control servicePlastic and vinyl product manufacturing (from pre-manufactured plastic or vinyl)Printing and engraving, bookbindingRecording or broadcasting studio (music, radio, television, film)Repair shop, household and personal itemsSchool, trade or vocationalSign manufacturing and paintingTool rental (small tools and equipment)Upholstery shopVehicle sales, rental or leasing (autos, trucks, recreational)Veterinary clinicWarehouse, distributionWarehouse, self-storageWholesale storesWireless communication facilities
With special approval
Mobile food unitOutdoor events
Build envelope

Development standards

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

StandardMin plot size 5,000 sf (Sec. 39-310)
StandardMax plot coverage 35% (Sec. 39-311)
StandardHeight 35 ft within 200 ft of single/two-family zoning; 55 ft beyond 200 ft; 120 ft beyond 500 ft (Sec. 39-312)
StandardAll activities and storage inside a building (Sec. 39-306)
Accessory usesAccessory dwellings (caretaker or security quarters); Offices and showrooms; Restaurant, fast food; Restaurant, take-out
StandardRead from Broward County Code Sec. 39-305/39-306(a)/39-308 (Master Business List, M-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 M-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.