LOW MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIPLE-FAMILY (RM-15) DISTRICT

Coral Springs Land Development Code ch. 25, art. IV, div. 7

in effect

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250321 Purpose of district.

Sec. 250321. - Purpose of district. To provide a low medium density multifamily residential (RM-15) district particularly oriented toward the provision of a suitable social and physical living environment for families or households with children. Parcels so designated shall be limited to locations on or within reasonable proximity to arterial or collector streets and are generally near to schools, parks or recreation facilities. This district also includes multifamily areas which have been previously platted in lot sizes generally of less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet in area and which are substantially undeveloped as of October 9, 1984. (Code 1972, § 20-218)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250322 Uses permitted.

Sec. 250322. - Uses permitted. No building or structure, or part thereof, shall be erected, altered or used, or land or water used, in whole or in part, for other than one or more of the following specified uses: (1) Multiple dwellings. (2) Any use permitted in an RD or RC District subject to the limitations, requirements and procedures specified in the zoning ordinance for such use in that district. (3) Business related parking in accordance with the provisions of Article VII of this chapter and subject to the limitations on business related parking found elsewhere in this chapter. (4) Uses accessory to any of the above uses when located on the same plot. (5) Townhouses in accordance with requirements set forth elsewhere in this chapter. (6) Certain community residences, recovery communities, and congregate living facilities as provided for in and in accordance with section 250152 of this chapter, including but not limited to, Table "A". Congregate living facilities proposed to be located within the spacing distance specified in subsection 250152(3)(b) of this chapter must first be approved as a conditional use. (7) Zero lot line dwellings in accordance with section 250148. (Code 1972, § 20-219; Ord. No. 94-151, § 8, 1-3-95; Ord. No. 2023-114, § 12, 9-13-23)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250323 Conditional uses.

Sec. 250323. - Conditional uses. The following uses shall only be conditionally permitted subject to the procedures and requirements provided elsewhere in this chapter. (1) Nursery schools or child care centers, public or private elementary, junior or senior high schools subject to the following standards: (a) Buildings shall be located at least thirty (30) feet from any R zoned lands. (b) Nursery schools or child care centers shall have at least one (1) completely fenced and secure play lot which shall be established, maintained and used for children at play. The fence shall be not less than five (5) feet in height. (c) Play lots located closer than fifty (50) feet to the plot line shall be screened by an opaque fence or wall or compact evergreen hedge not less than five (5) feet in height. (2) Place of worship. (3) Uses accessory to any of the above uses when located on the same plot and not involving the conduct of any business, trade, occupation, home occupation or profession. (4) Community facilities. (Code 1972, § 20-219.5; Ord. No. 2001-125, § 3, 11-6-01; Ord. No. 2023-114, § 13, 9-13-23)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250324 Minimum size of plot.

Sec. 250324. - Minimum size of plot. Every plot shall have a minimum size of one acre with a minimum width of one hundred (100) feet. For multiple dwellings, the minimum plot size shall be five (5) acres, with a minimum depth and width of three hundred (300) feet. The minimum plot area, depth and width requirement shall not apply to plots, lots, tracts, or parcels granted a zoning designation in accordance with the regulations in effect at the time of such action. (Code 1972, § 20-220)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250325 Maximum plot coverage.

Sec. 250325. - Maximum plot coverage. The maximum combined area occupied by all main and accessory structures shall be thirty (30) per cent of the plot. (Code 1972, § 20-221)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250326 Maximum height.

Sec. 250326. - Maximum height. (1) No building or structure, or part thereof, shall be erected or altered to a height exceeding thirty-five (35) feet with a maximum of three (3) stories on plots of five (5) acres or more. No building or structure, or part thereof, shall be erected or altered to a height exceeding twenty-five (25) feet with a maximum of two (2) stories on plots of less than five (5) acres. (2) A steeple or tower of a place of worship may extend to a height of seventy-five (75) feet, provided however, that all yards shall increase one (1) foot for every one (1) foot in height of the tower or steeple above fifty (50) feet. (Code 1972, § 20-222; Ord. No. 93-146, § 1, 9-21-93)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250327 Minimum front yard.

Sec. 250327. - Minimum front yard. (1) Residential uses: Every plot used for dwelling purposes shall have a front yard of not less than fifty (50) feet in depth if abutting an arterial roadway, as depicted on the Broward County Trafficways Plan, or not less than twenty-five (25) feet in depth or a depth equal to the height of the building, whichever is greater. (2) Nonresidential uses: Every plot whose principal use is nonresidential shall have a front yard of not less than thirty (30) feet in depth. (Code 1972, § 20-223; Ord. No. 94-147, § 16, 11-1-94)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250328 Minimum side yard.

Sec. 250328. - Minimum side yard. For the purpose of applying the side yard requirements which follow, "abut" or "abutting" shall mean that the RM zoned plot adjoins or is across a water body or local street from any RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot. (1) Residential uses on each plot less than one (1) acre: Such plots shall have a side yard, on each side, of at least ten (10) feet. (2) Residential uses on each plot of one (1) acre or more and less than five (5) acres for side yards that do not abut an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot: Such plots shall have a side yard, on each side which does not abut an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot, of at least fifteen (15) feet or half the height of the building, whichever is greater. (3) Residential uses on each plot five (5) acres or more for side yards that do not abut an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot: Such plots shall have a side yard, on each side which does not abut an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot, of at least fifteen (15) feet or half the height of the building, whichever is greater. (4) Nonresidential uses on side yards that do not abut an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot: Such plots shall have a side yard, on each side which does not abut an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot, of at least twenty-five (25) feet plus one (1) foot for each two (2) feet in building height, or portion thereof, over twenty (20) feet. (5) Nonresidential uses on each plot less than one (1) acre abutting an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot: Such plots shall have a side yard, on each side which abuts an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot, of at least twenty-five (25) feet plus one (1) foot for each two (2) feet in building height. (6) Residential or nonresidential uses on each plot one (1) acre or more and less than five (5) acres in size on each side abutting an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot: Such plots shall have the following side yard setbacks: (a) Not less than twenty-five (25) feet plus one (1) foot for each two (2) feet in building height for nonresidential uses. (b) Not less than twenty-five (25) feet for residential uses. (7) Residential or nonresidential uses on each plot five (5) acres or more on each side abutting an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot: Such plots shall have the following side yard setbacks: (a) Not less than sixty (60) feet in locations where the residential building is three (3) stories or where a nonresidential building is over twenty-five (25) feet in height. (b) Not less than forty (40) feet in locations where the residential building is two (2) stories or where a nonresidential building is twenty-five (25) feet or less in height. (c) Not less than twenty-five (25) feet in locations where a residential building is one (1) story. See Figure 3 in Zoning Appendix. (Code 1972, § 20-224; Ord. No. 93-146, § 1, 9-21-93)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250329 Minimum rear yard.

Sec. 250329. - Minimum rear yard. For the purpose of applying the rear yard requirements which follow, "abut" or "abutting" shall mean that the RM zoned plot adjoins or is across a water body or local street from any RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot. (1) Residential uses that do not abut an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot: Such plots shall have a rear yard of not less than twenty (20) feet in depth plus one (1) foot for each two (2) feet in building height, or portion thereof, over twenty (20) feet. (2) Nonresidential uses that do not abut an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot: Such plots shall have a rear yard of not less than twenty-five (25) feet in depth plus one (1) foot for each two (2) feet in building height, or portion thereof, over twenty (20) feet. (3) Residential or nonresidential uses on each plot less than five (5) acres in size abutting an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot: Such plots shall have the following rear yard setbacks: (a) Not less than twenty-five (25) feet in depth plus one (1) foot for each two (2) feet in building height for nonresidential uses. (b) Not less than twenty (20) feet in depth for residential uses plus one (1) foot for each two (2) feet of building height. (4) Residential or nonresidential uses on each plot five (5) acres or more abutting an RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot: Such plots shall have the following rear yard setbacks: (a) Not less than sixty (60) feet in depth in locations where the residential building is three (3) stories or where a nonresidential building is over twenty-five (25) feet in height. (b) Not less than forty (40) feet in depth in locations where the residential building is two (2) stories, or where a nonresidential building is twenty-five (25) feet or less in height. (c) Not less than twenty-five (25) feet in locations where the residential building is one (1) story. See Figure 3 in Zoning Appendix. (Code 1972, § 20-225; Ord. No. 93-146, § 1, 9-21-93)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250330 Minimum street yards.

Sec. 250330. - Minimum street yards. All side or rear yards that abut any street shall have a minimum dimension which is the greater of the front yard or the applicable side or rear yard requirement; except that plots of less than one (1) acre shall have street side yards of twenty (20) feet. (Code 1972, § 20-226; Ord. No. 93-146, § 1, 9-21-93)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250331 Prohibition of vehicular use areas in required yards and buffers.

Sec. 250331. - Prohibition of vehicular use areas in required yards and buffers. (1) On plots of one (1) acre or more, vehicular use areas shall not be located within the first twenty (20) feet of a required front yard or street yard, ten (10) feet of a required side yard and ten (10) feet of a required rear yard. However, no vehicle use area may be located within a required buffer. (2) On plots of less than one (1) acre, vehicular use areas shall not be located within the first ten (10) feet of a required front yard, street yard, side yard and rear yard. No vehicular encroachment, other than for necessary accessways, shall be permitted within the above required setbacks. However, no vehicle use area may be located within a required buffer. (Code 1972, § 20-227; Ord. No. 93-146, § 1, 9-21-93; Ord. No. 94-147, § 17, 11-1-94)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250332 Minimum separation of any building from any vehicular use area.

Sec. 250332. - Minimum separation of any building from any vehicular use area. A vehicular use area shall be separated from any building by at least a ten-foot unpaved landscaped area. Perpendicular sidewalks leading to building entrances may be located within this area. (Code 1972, § 20-228; Ord. No. 93-146, § 1, 9-21-93)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250333 Maximum building length.

Sec. 250333. - Maximum building length. No building or structure shall be erected or altered to a length greater than one hundred sixty (160) feet, nor shall the average of all residential buildings in the project exceed one hundred thirty (130) feet. (Code 1972, § 20-229; Ord. No. 97-135, § 2, 9-16-97; Ord. No. 2023-101, § 147, 4-19-23)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250334 Minimum distance between buildings and building orientations.

Sec. 250334. - Minimum distance between buildings and building orientations. (1) Standard building separations: Buildings shall be separated from one another as follows: (a) Side to side separation shall be a minimum twenty (20) feet or the average of the height of adjacent buildings whichever is greater. An additional one (1) foot separation shall be required for each three (3) feet that the average length of adjacent buildings exceeds one hundred thirty (130) feet. If the height of the end of the building is lower than the height of the adjacent roof section on the same building by at least five (5) feet over a width of at least twenty (20) feet, the lower height may be used in calculating the average height of the building for this section. (b) Side to front or side to back separation shall be twenty-five (25) feet. (c) Front to front, front to back, or back to back separation shall be 35 feet or the average of the height of adjacent buildings whichever is greater. However, the average separation between buildings shall not be less than forty (40) feet. (2) Special building separations: (a) Buildings arranged in a lineal form with a combined length in excess of three hundred (300) feet shall have a minimum separation twice the distance specified in part (1) of this section. Where buildings are back-to-back, front-to-front, or front-to-back the minimum distance between any two (2) buildings so situated shall be the greater of thirty-five (35) feet, or the sum of the building heights divided by two (2). However, the average separation between such buildings shall not be less than forty (40) feet. (b) When buildings arranged in a lineal form are staggered by a minimum offset of fifteen (15) feet or where the buildings are arranged to form an angle greater than fifteen (15) degrees end-to-end, the lineal standards shall not be applied. (3) Special building orientations: When the plot is five (5) acres or more in size abutting or across a water body or local street from any RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot, multifamily buildings two (2) or more stories in height shall be oriented so as to not create a massive wall of buildings abutting or facing the RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot. The RM-15 development may achieve this by utilizing site planning techniques such as varying the orientation of the buildings, staggering the setbacks of buildings, rotating the angle of buildings, enhanced buffering and tree planting, providing varying heights in the elevations of buildings, increasing the setback distance over and above the minimum setback included in this chapter or creating an interface of lower height buildings between the plot line and any higher buildings. (4) Variations in building height. (a) For buildings of two (2) or three (3) stories in height and not exceeding one hundred (100) feet in length, at least fifteen (15) per cent of the roof line shall have a variation in height, or an average variation in height, of at least five (5) feet. (b) For buildings of two (2) or three (3) stories in height and in excess of one hundred (100) feet in length, at least two (2) portions of the building shall have a variation in height, or an average variation in height, of at least five (5) feet. The combination of said required variations in height shall amount to not less than fifteen (15) per cent of the length of the building. (c) For buildings of four (4) or more stories in height at least fifteen (15) per cent of the roof line shall have a variation in height, or an average variation in height, of at least ten (10) feet. (5) Variations in building facade. (a) For buildings not exceeding one hundred (100) feet in length, at least fifteen (15) per cent of the building face shall have a variation in setback of at least five (5) feet. (b) For buildings in excess of one hundred (100) feet in length, at least two (2) portions of the building shall have a variation in setback of at least five (5) feet. Variations of less than five (5) feet shall not count toward this requirement. The combination of said required variations in setback shall amount to not less than fifteen (15) per cent of the length of the building. (Code 1972, § 20-230; Ord. No. 93-146, § 1, 9-21-93; Ord. No. 97-135, § 2, 9-16-97)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250335 Minimum landscaped open space.

Sec. 250335. - Minimum landscaped open space. Each plot shall provide not less than fifty (50) per cent of its area in landscaped open space. There shall be a minimum landscaped open space requirement of twenty-five (25) per cent when the property is used for business related parking. (Code 1972, § 20-231)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250336 Minimum useable open space and locational criteria.

Sec. 250336. - Minimum useable open space and locational criteria. Plots of one (1) acre or more in this district shall contain a minimum useable open space of six (6) per cent of the plot area. There shall not be a useable open space requirement when the property is used for business related parking. Multifamily developments of five (5) acres or more in size shall provide an improved recreation area. Said improved recreation area shall have at least fifteen (15) square feet of area for each dwelling unit with two (2) or more bedrooms. The minimum size for any improved recreation area shall be seven hundred fifty (750) square feet. The improved recreation area shall either be located away from streets, lakes or canals or shall be fenced. The multifamily development shall locate the improved recreation area in an area which is not directly adjoining or across a water body from any RS, RC-6 or RD-8 zoned plot unless it is impractical, as determined by the development services director, or the multifamily development employs other site planning criteria such as increased and staggered plantings to reduce noise. The improved recreation area and equipment shall be constructed in accordance with the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission guidelines. A plot may use all or a portion of its usable open space requirement to satisfy the requirement to provide an improved recreation area. However, the requirement for an improved recreation area will not be applied to multifamily developments, or those portions of a multifamily development, restricted by deed, a notation on the face of the plat or other recorded instrument which in the opinion of the city attorney creates said restriction to age-restricted communities. The RM development shall locate any game courts in an area which is not directly adjoining or across a water body from any RS, RC-6 or RD-8 zoned plot unless it is impractical, as determined by the development services director, or the multifamily development employs other site planning criteria such as increased and staggered plantings to reduce noise. (Code 1972, § 20-232; Ord. No. 93-146, § 1, 9-21-93; Ord. No. 97-135, § 2, 9-16-97; Ord. No. 2023-101, § 148, 4-19-23)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250337 Minimum floor area and minimum unit width.

Sec. 250337. - Minimum floor area and minimum unit width. (1) The minimum floor area of a one-family dwelling unit shall be one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet and the minimum floor area of a dwelling unit in a two-family dwelling shall be eight hundred (800) square feet. The minimum floor area of a dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling shall be as follows: Type | Minimum Floor Area (square feet) (1) Efficiency unit | 550 (2) One-bedroom unit | 750 (3) Two-bedroom unit | 900 (4) For each additional bedroom in excess of two (2) | add 150 (2) Minimum unit widths. The minimum permissible width for an individual dwelling unit, center of common wall to center of common or exterior wall, shall be twenty (20) feet for the majority of the unit. (Code 1972, § 20-233; Ord. No. 97-135, § 2, 9-16-97)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250338 Limitations on number of dwelling units per gross acre.

Sec. 250338. - Limitations on number of dwelling units per gross acre. For the purposes of complying with the density monitoring system (DMS), each plat or portion of a plat which is zoned RM-15 shall be assured a density of fifteen (15) dwelling units per gross acre provided the requirements of the Municipal Code [and the Land Development Code] and comprehensive plan are satisfied, and in no event shall the density on any plat or portion of a plat zoned RM-15 exceed fifteen (15) dwelling units per gross acre. (Code 1972, § 20-234)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250339 Limitations on business related parking.

Sec. 250339. - Limitations on business related parking. Business related parking approved after January 1, 1990, shall only be permitted by the director of development services at the time of site plan approval subject to the availability of sufficient flexibility for commercial uses as permitted by the comprehensive plan. In no event shall more than five (5) per cent of the area designated for residential use on the future land use map within any flexibility zone be used for business related parking and no added contiguous area used for business related parking may exceed ten (10) acres. For the purpose of these provisions, contiguous is defined as attached or located within five hundred (500) feet. Parking lots approved prior to January 1, 1990 will be allowed to continue as a permitted use and shall not be considered a nonconforming use for the purposes of applying for these provisions. (Code 1972, § 20-235; Ord. No. 93-146, § 1, 9-21-93; Ord. No. 2023-101, § 149, 4-19-23)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250340 Required perimeter buffering adjacent to abutting properties.

Sec. 250340. - Required perimeter buffering adjacent to abutting properties. When an RM-15 zoned plot abuts or is across a water body or local street from any RS, RC-6 or RD-8 zoned plot, a buffer area shall be required on the RM-15 zoned property which satisfies one of the following options: (1) When a wall or berm is used: The buffer area shall include a solid opaque screen with a minimum height of four (4) feet and a maximum height of six (6) feet. The minimum width of the buffer area shall be fifteen (15) feet where abutting any RS zoned plot and ten (10) feet where abutting any RC-6 or RD zoned plot. This option may be used without placing a solid opaque screen on the RM zoned plot if the abutting RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot has a minimum four (4) foot high solid opaque screen between the plots. (2) When a wall or berm is not used: The minimum width of any such buffer shall be fifteen (15) feet to screen adjoining parking lots, other vehicular use areas or single story buildings. Where there is no vehicular use area between a building and the plot line abutting any RS, RC-6 or RD zoned plot then the minimum width of the buffer shall be twenty-five (25) feet to screen two (2) story buildings, or thirty-five (35) feet to screen buildings in excess of two (2) stories. The buffer shall be landscaped in accordance with the provisions set forth elsewhere in this chapter. (Code 1972, § 20-236; Ord. No. 93-146, § 1, 9-21-93)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250341 Minimum roofing standards.

Sec. 250341. - Minimum roofing standards. Pitched roofs shall have a minimum pitch of 3:12. Deviation from the minimum may be approved for gambrel and similar type roofs. Roofing materials shall be allowed as specified in the Residential Architectural Guidelines. Cedar shingle, asphalt shingle, metal roofs and polyurethane foam on sloped roofs over any finished roofing material are not permitted. No roof color shall be changed of paint or any other coating without approval of the City of Coral Springs. Flat roofs may be permitted if the flat roof area does not comprise over twenty-five (25) per cent of the total roof area. Such flat roofs may be permitted over porches, Florida rooms, and utility rooms located to the rear of the dwelling unit. Screen enclosures with screen roofs or flat roofs that are not sloped and structures with existing cedar or asphalt shingles shall be exempt from this provision. (Ord. No. 94-147, § 18, 11-1-94; Ord. No. 96-110, § 10, 3-19-96; Ord. No. 2001-100, § 7, 2-6-01; Ord. No. 2007-115, § 19, 11-20-07)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250342 Sidewalks required.

Sec. 250342. - Sidewalks required. (1) All buildings, parking areas and amenities shall be connected by sidewalks or interior walkways. Sidewalks along interior circulation drives shall connect with off-site sidewalks. (2) When parking is provided in front, behind or on the side, of a building along an interior circulation drive, a concrete sidewalk with raised curb shall be constructed between the parking spaces and the building, with connecting sidewalks to the building entrance. If such sidewalk is provided on only one side of an interior circulation drive, it shall be at least five (5) feet in width. If sidewalks are provided on both sides of the interior circulation drive, they shall be a minimum of four (4) feet wide. (3) When garages are provided resulting in vehicles backing out onto interior circulation drives, a concrete sidewalk shall be constructed between the driveway reservoir and the drive lane. (Ord. No. 97-135, § 2, 9-16-97)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250343 Provision of emergency access.

Sec. 250343. - Provision of emergency access. Each multifamily building shall have at least one (1) face accessible within fifty (50) feet of paved or stabilized access for emergency vehicles, and all faces of each building shall be within two hundred (200) feet of paved or stabilized access. (Ord. No. 97-135, § 2, 9-16-97)

Coral Springs Land Development Code § 250344 Balconies.

Sec. 250344. - Balconies. Balconies designed for other than purely ornamental purposes shall be a minimum of six (6) feet in depth. (Ord. No. 97-135, § 2, 9-16-97)

Source: City of Coral Springs, Florida, Code of Ordinances, Charter and Land Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/coral_springs/codes/land_development_code?nodeId=CH25ZOOR_ARTIVREDI_DIV7LOMEDEMUMIRMDIFetched: 11/8/2026