Florence Land Use Regulations (LUR)

This site is your hub for the code update process. Here, you can: 

• Learn about the scope of the code update and the project timeline 

• See upcoming community engagement events and opportunities to participate 

• Leave your comments and feedback on proposed changes 

• View and download draft code language as it becomes available 

Your input is essential! Together, we can shape land use regulations that work for Florence today and into the future. 

 

Project Overview 

Why Update Florence's Current LUR’s? 

Florence's Land Use Regulations should reflect the community's vision for the future. Updating them ensures that local regulations support the goals and values established by the community while addressing today's opportunities and challenges. 

This update will: 

• Align the LUR with the Florence 2026 Master Plan to better implement the community's long-term vision. 

• Implement community housing policies that encourage attainable and workforce housing while maintaining community character. 

• Apply lessons learned from recent development projects and code administration to improve clarity, efficiency, and predictability. 

• Ensure the code reflects Florence's community values, balancing growth, economic development, housing, historic development patterns, and the preservation of the town's unique identity. 

The goal is to create a modern, easy-to-use LUR that provides clear guidance for residents, property owners, developers, staff, and decision-makers while helping Florence achieve its vision for the future. 

 

Project Background 

The Florence LUR update officially began in August, when Steering Committee and the project team met to establish the project's goals, priorities, and overall direction. Since then, the team has been utilizing a template code that already has an established layout and structure, and identifying opportunities for better alignment with the community values and goals. As part of this effort, proposed changes are being organized into three categories to ensure the appropriate level of review and public involvement.  

• Technical amendments address clerical corrections, grammar, legal compliance, and other minor revisions that improve clarity without changing intent.  

• Major amendments involve changes in approach or implementation that may require additional discussion and consensus among decision-makers.  

• Policy amendments represent fundamental changes to the Town's land use philosophy or regulatory approach and will involve broader community education, engagement, and public input before decisions are made.  

This structured approach helps ensure that updates are thoughtful, transparent, and aligned with Florence's long-term vision. 

 

What amendments will we be focusing on? 

Building off the Code Assessment completed as part of the Master Plan effort, the project team began with a template code that will address many of the technical items identified in the Assessment. Therefore, this LUR update will focus on having a dialogue with Steering Committee members, and other community members, related to major and policy amendments that will improve the usability of the overall code while ensuring it reflects the community's vision for Florence's future. 

Major Amendments will focus on improving how the code is organized, interpreted, and administered. These updates include: 

• Simplifying submittal requirements 

• Evaluating the appropriate level of review and approval for various applications 

• Updating lodging use classifications 

• Refining the Land Use Table 

• Reviewing dimensional standards within the Historic Business, History Residential, and Downtown Services zoning districts 

• Streamlining subdivision processes 

• Creating a clearer connection between the Land Use Regulations and the Town's Construction Specifications. 

Policy Amendments will address broader planning and development topics that shape the future of the community. These include: 

• Evaluating the City's zoning districts 

• Analyzing Florence's historic development patterns and building forms to ensure future development complements the community's character 

• Considering updates to residential, commercial, and industrial design standards 

•  Modernizing regulations to support a broader range of housing types 

Because these amendments have the potential to influence the Town's long-term vision and development patterns, they will involve additional community discussion and public input throughout the project. 

 

Objectives of this Project 

• Streamlined land use application review and approval process 

• Simple outline and format of the LUR 

• Consolidated regulations pertaining to land development 

• Educate and inform Planning Commission and City Staff on the use of the LURs 

 

 

Project Timeline 

 

Meet the Project Team 

 

Project Documents 

• Current City Documents 

• LUR Drafts 

• Other Project Documents 

 

Community Engagement 

We Want to Hear from the Florence Community! 

This is your future; you have a say in it! 

 

Upcoming Events: 

• Community Check-In: TBD Early 2027 

This is the primary opportunity for community engagement for this project. This community check-in is strategically scheduled after the deep discussions with the Steering Committee are completed, but well in advance of the adoption hearings to allow adequate time to address issues or concerns that may arise. 

 

• Public Review of Draft LURs: TBD Spring 2027 

This is the community’s opportunity to review the regulations, ask any clarifying questions, and make any suggested changes or amendments to the draft language. This opportunity will give the general public at least 30 days to review the draft regulations and provide comments. 

 

• Public Hearings: TBD Summer 2027 

These are where the elected and appointed bodies responsible for the implementation of City Policies related to the Master Plan, land use, subdivision, and growth management will consider the LURs for adoption. The Planning Commission and City Council will holder duly noticed public hearings where they will consider public testimony, the project team’s project overview, and staff recommendations. After the hearing, the Planning Commission will consider making a recommendation to the City Council and the City Council will take action on the LURs. 

These hearings are open to the public and the general public is encouraged to attend and participate in these hearings to voice their appreciation, concerns, or questions about the LURs or the process utilized to develop the LURs. 

 

 

Past Events: 

 

 

Contact Us 

Give Feedback and Stay Informed! 

Provide your email to stay informed as well and send comments, questions, concerns, directly to the project team. We will not share your information and only use your contact to send to project updates.  You can opt out at any time.