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Zoning

Show All Answers

1. Who do I call for zoning information?

You may use the BOCC GIS to determine the property jurisdiction at www.sumtercountyfl.gov/map.  

1. If the property is in Wildwood, you may call the City at 352-330-1330.
2. If the property is in Bushnell, you may call the City at  352-793-2591.
3. If the property is in the unincorporated County, or the Cities of Coleman, Center Hill, or Webster; you may call Planning and Zoning at 352-689-4400.
4. If the property is in another County, Sumter County Planning and Zoning staff does not have information about other Counties and their regulations.

2. Where can I find a copy of the zoning code?

Zoning codes are part of the Land Development Code. There is a link to the unincorporated County Code here. The Land Development Code is under Chapter 13. 

3. Are mobile homes allowed?

Mobile homes constructed to Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standards are allowed in Sumter County depending on the property zoning.  If the property is in the City of Bushnell (352-793-2591) or Wildwood (352-330-1330), please contact the respective city.  

The unincorporated Sumter County and the City of Coleman allow mobile homes in the following zoning districts:  A10, RR5, RR2.5, RR1, R2M, R4M, and R6M.  

Unincorporated Sumter County and the City of Coleman also allow Class A mobile homes on any property where a house can be permitted:  A10C, RR5C, RR2.5C, RR1C, R2C, R4C, and R6C.

The Cities of Webster and Center Hill allow mobile homes in zoning districts: A10C, RR1 & R6M.

4. What is a Class B mobile home/What is a Class A mobile home?

Mobile home requirements are available here. 

5. Is my property/house in a regulated flood zone?

You may use the www.sumtercountyfl.gov/map website to check a property's flood zone status. Find the selected parcel with the search tool to find by address or name (Last Name first). Then select the "FEMA Flood Zones" layer in the left pane. Green is flood zone “A”.  Red is flood zone “AE”.  All others are flood zone “X”.  A property may contain more than one flood zone.  Look for the rooftops.  If any part of a rooftop is in the “A” or “AE” zone, the entire building is treated as being in the regulated flood zone.   Flood zone “X” is the lowest risk.  It is not regulated.

6. Do I need flood insurance?

Flood insurance may be required by the Federal Government for any building that is wholly, or partially in the regulated flood zone (zones A and AE) if there is a federally backed mortgage (HUD, VA, etc).  Use the directions above to verify if their house is in a regulated flood zone.  If there is a mortgage, the lender can tell if flood insurance is required.  If there is not a mortgage, flood insurance is optional no matter if the house is in a regulated flood zone or not.

7. Does the County have an Elevation Certificate for my property?

You may check if the County has a copy of an elevation certificate by going to the BOCC website (www.sumtercountyfl.gov). Enter the parcel number into the “Search” field (upper right side). If we have an elevation certificate, it will be listed. 

8. Agriculture - Is my property agriculturally zoned?

Agricultural zoning is different from being Agricultural Exempt. Agricultural uses are permitted in all Agricultural and Rural Residential zoning districts. Having property zoned for agricultural use does not automatically make it agriculturally exempt.

9. Agriculture - Is my property agriculturally exempt?

Agricultural Exemption is determined by the Sumter County Property Appraiser’s determination of that portion of the property that has an agricultural classification code. You may contact the Property Appraiser’s office at 352-569-6800. Alternatively, you may check online through the Property Appraiser’s website.

10. Agriculture - How do I get an agricultural exemption building application?

You will need to contact the respective city if the property is within the City of Bushnell (352-793-2591) or Wildwood (352-330-1330). Residents of the unincorporated County and Cities of Coleman, Center Hill, and Webster, who have an agricultural classification as determined by the Property Appraiser, may apply for an agricultural exemption building permit online here. The agricultural exemption building permit can only be used on structures that will be used solely for bona fide agricultural purposes. The structure cannot have any residential component, including a bunkhouse or apartment.

The agricultural exemption building permit is free. Click here to apply. 

Agricultural exempt structures do not require construction documents (engineering) or inspections unless they are constructed in a regulated flood zone with more than two walls. A fire inspection may be required if the building will be used for gathering of public such as a wedding venue.     

11. Agriculture - Can I have farm animals on this parcel?

Properties in the unincorporated County, Cities of Webster, Coleman, and Center Hill, that are in zoning districts for agriculture (A10, A10C, and AC) and rural residential uses (RR5, RR5C, RR2.5, RR2.5C, RR1, RR1C) may have farm animals.  Residents in the Cities of Wildwood (352-330-1330) and Bushnell (352-793-2591) should contact those cities.

12. Agriculture - How many livestock may I have on this parcel?

Residents with Rural Residential or Agricultural zoning (RR5, RR5C, RR2.5, RR2.5C, RR1, RR1C, A10,  A10C, and AC) and at least one acre of pasture may have up to three livestock animals per fenced acre (not including the house).  This includes horses, cows, donkeys, pigs, goats, and other farm animals.  Different types of livestock can be mixed and matched so long as the density does not exceed three animals per fenced acre.  Any pen or shelter that houses more than five livestock must be at least 100-ft from the property line.  If you have questions about different types of animals or want more than three per acre, please contact Planning and Zoning at 352-689-4400.

13. Agriculture - How many chickens may I have on this parcel?

Chickens, poultry, and ducks are permitted in the Rural Residential and Agricultural zoning districts.  Residents may have up to ten birds per acre.  Different types of birds can be mixed and matched so long as the density does not exceed ten animals per acre.  Any coop that houses more than ten fowl must be at least 100-ft from the property line.  If you have questions about different types of fowl or want more than ten per acre, please contact Planning and Zoning at 352-689-4400.

14. Agriculture - Can I have both livestock and chickens on this parcel?

Livestock and fowl may be mixed on a property so long as there is enough acreage for both. If you have questions mixing livestock and fowl, please contact Planning and Zoning at 352-689-4400.

15. How do I get an address?

An address is assigned and provided to the permit applicant after a residential or commercial building permit is issued by Development Services. 

16. Can I change my address?

The main reason an address is changed is when the access location to the structure is changed. There may be other situations that constitute an address change. If you have specific questions, you may contact GIS at 352-689-4400. 

17. What is an easement?

An easement is the right to use another person’s property for a specific purpose such as access for vehicles or utilities.  Most dirt roads in this County are shared easements and not maintained by Sumter County.

18. Who maintains my easement?

The County does not maintain records of who owns and/or maintains private access easements.  If the ownership and/or maintenance requirement is not clear, you may contact a private attorney to explore your options.

19. Planning Permits - How far from the property line does my fence have to be?

The unincorporated County does not have setback requirements for fences.  The fence cannot extend into the road right-of-way.

20. Planning Permits - Do I need a permit to clear my land or remove a tree?

The landowner of a residential lot does not need a permit to clear their property or to remove a tree; however, a commercial or industrial landowner should consider existing vegetation for green space and buffers as part of the site plan permitting process requirements.  The County’s buffer standards can be found the County Code here. Buffers are in Land Development Codes under Chapter 13.

21. Planning Permits - Can I build a storage building on a vacant parcel?

A property that has been given an agricultural classification by the Property Appraiser’s office may install a storage building for agricultural use without a building permit.  All other properties in the unincorporated County and Cities of Center Hill, Coleman, Webster, and Wildwood must either have a residence already built on the property or a building permit for a residence.  They may apply for the storage building permit at the same time as the building permit for the house; however, the permit for the storage building cannot be issued until the house permit is issued.  If the house is not constructed, the landowner may be required to remove the storage building.

22. Planning Permits - Can I use a shipping container for storage?

Shipping containers may not be used as a storage shed in the unincorporated County unless they are permitted and installed as a residential storage structure.  Shipping containers are not permitted for temporary storage.

23. Planning Permits - Where can I find zoning applications online?

Planning and Zoning permits and forms can be found on the BOCC website on the Zoning page here.

24. Planning Permits - How do I submit a site development application?

Site development applications can be found here.  Completed site development application packages shall be emailed to planning@sumtercountyfl.gov. 

25. Planning Permits - Do I need an event/festival permit?

An event permit is required if the general public will be attending your event.  A permit is not required on residential property for a garage sale or private party.

How do I get an event/festival permit?

Applications may be found and submitted here.  Completed forms can also be submitted at the Planning and Zoning office in Wildwood (7375 Powell Rd.) or Bushnell (319 E. Anderson Ave). 

26. Are there deed restrictions/covenants in my development; what do they say and where can I get a copy?

Deed restrictions and covenants do not apply to all properties.  If the development has deed restrictions or covenants they will be on record with the County Clerk.  To obtain copies of deed restrictions, call the Sumter County Clerks’ Recording Department at 352-569-6600.

27. Does the County enforce deed restrictions?

No, deed restrictions are a civil matter to be resolved in the courts.

28. Do I need The Villages Architectural Review (ARC) approval before applying for a permit?

ARC approval is not required to apply for a permit.  However, it is advisable to have ARC approval prior to applying for a permit if you reside in The Villages® development.

29. Can I stay on my property in an RV?

A recreational vehicle as a temporary second residence may be used on a parcel for a period of not more than five (5) days in any sixty-day period, provided adequate sanitary facilities are provided.  RVs are not permitted on vacant parcels without an issued building permit and approved temporary use permit during construction.  Long term residential usage of RVs is restricted to RV parks and campgrounds.

30. Can I camp on my vacant property?

Camping is only permitted at approved campgrounds and parks.  Camping is not permitted on vacant private property.

31. Do I need a Business Tax/Occupational License?

Unincorporated Sumter County does not have an occupational license (business license) ordinance.  The incorporated areas; City of Bushnell (352-793-2591), City of Center Hill (352-793-4431), City of Coleman (352-748-1017), City of Webster (352-793-2073), and City of Wildwood (352-330-1330) do have this ordnance.  Please call the respective city for more information.

32. Is there a County permit I need to apply for to do short-term rentals on my property located in unincorporated Sumter County?

Sumter County does not regulate residential rentals so long as the owner is renting out the entire structure or only one room.

33. Does Sumter County have impact fees?

Sumter County has a Road Impact Fee Ordinance.  The ordinance and fee schedule may be accessed on the here.