# Site Design Fundamentals

## Zoning and Setbacks

### Common Setback Requirements
| Zone Type | Front | Side | Rear |
|-----------|-------|------|------|
| Single-family (R-1) | 25' | 7.5' | 20' |
| Multi-family (R-3) | 25' | 10' | 20' |
| Commercial (C-1) | 0-25' | 0-10' | 10' |
| Industrial (I-1) | 25' | 10' | 10' |

### Setback Exceptions (Common)
- Architectural projections (2' typical)
- Uncovered porches (may encroach 6')
- Bay windows (may encroach 2'-3')
- Cornices and eaves (2' typical)
- Mechanical equipment (varies)

### Height Limits
| Zone | Max Height | Notes |
|------|------------|-------|
| Residential | 35' typical | 2-3 stories |
| Commercial | 35'-75' | Varies by zone |
| Downtown | Often unlimited | With bonuses |

---

## Grading and Drainage

### Slope Requirements
| Surface | Min Slope | Max Slope |
|---------|-----------|-----------|
| Away from building | 5% (6" in 10') | N/A |
| Lawn/landscape | 2% | 33% (3:1) |
| Swale | 1% | 5% |
| Parking lot | 1% | 5% |
| Accessible route | 2% cross, 5% running | Per ADA |
| Driveway | 2% | 12% (15% max) |

### Drainage Patterns
```
Sheet flow: 2% min across paved areas
Swale: 1% min longitudinal slope
Catch basin spacing: 300' max on grade

Volume calculation (rational method):
Q = C × I × A
Q = runoff (CFS)
C = runoff coefficient
I = rainfall intensity (in/hr)
A = area (acres)
```

### Runoff Coefficients
| Surface | C Value |
|---------|---------|
| Pavement | 0.85-0.95 |
| Gravel | 0.35-0.70 |
| Lawn (flat) | 0.10-0.20 |
| Lawn (steep) | 0.25-0.35 |
| Roofs | 0.75-0.95 |

### Retention/Detention
- Retention: permanent pond, infiltrates
- Detention: temporary storage, releases slowly
- Florida: often 1" of runoff over impervious area
- Calculate: Volume = Area × Depth (typically 6"-12")

---

## Parking Design

### Stall Dimensions
| Type | Width | Length |
|------|-------|--------|
| Standard | 9' | 18' |
| Compact | 8' | 16' |
| Accessible | 8' + 5' access | 18' |
| Van accessible | 8' + 8' access | 18' |

### Aisle Widths
| Parking Angle | One-way | Two-way |
|---------------|---------|---------|
| 90° | 24' | 24' |
| 60° | 18' | 20' |
| 45° | 13' | 20' |
| Parallel | 12' | 20' |

### Parking Ratios (Typical)
| Use | Ratio |
|-----|-------|
| Office | 1:300 SF |
| Retail | 1:200 SF |
| Restaurant | 1:100 SF or 1:3 seats |
| Residential | 2 per unit |
| Church | 1:3 seats |
| Medical | 1:200 SF |

### Accessible Parking
| Total Spaces | Accessible Required |
|--------------|---------------------|
| 1-25 | 1 |
| 26-50 | 2 |
| 51-75 | 3 |
| 76-100 | 4 |
| 101-150 | 5 |
| 151-200 | 6 |
| 201-300 | 7 |
| 301-400 | 8 |
| 401-500 | 9 |
| 500+ | 2% of total |

Van spaces: 1 per 6 accessible (or fraction)

---

## Driveways and Access

### Driveway Dimensions
| Type | Min Width | Max Width | Curb Cut |
|------|-----------|-----------|----------|
| Residential 1-car | 10' | 12' | 12'-16' |
| Residential 2-car | 16' | 24' | 20'-28' |
| Commercial 1-way | 12' | 14' | 16'-20' |
| Commercial 2-way | 22' | 26' | 26'-32' |

### Sight Distance
| Speed (mph) | Min Sight Distance |
|-------------|-------------------|
| 25 | 155' |
| 30 | 200' |
| 35 | 250' |
| 40 | 305' |
| 45 | 360' |

### Driveway Spacing from Corners
- Residential: 25' from intersection
- Commercial: 50'-100' from intersection
- Between driveways: 50' min (varies by jurisdiction)

---

## Landscaping Requirements

### Common Requirements
| Feature | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Street trees | 1 per 30'-40' of frontage |
| Parking lot trees | 1 per 10-15 spaces |
| Buffer yards | 5'-20' depending on use |
| Pervious area | 15%-40% of site |

### Plant Sizing at Installation
| Plant Type | Min Size |
|------------|----------|
| Shade tree | 3" caliper, 12' height |
| Ornamental tree | 2" caliper, 8' height |
| Shrub | 3 gallon, 18" height |
| Groundcover | 1 gallon, 12" O.C. |

### Florida Native Plants (Common)
- Trees: Live Oak, Bald Cypress, Sabal Palm, Mahogany
- Shrubs: Firebush, Simpson Stopper, Cocoplum
- Groundcover: Muhly Grass, Coontie, Beach Sunflower

### Irrigation
- Smart controllers required (Florida)
- Rain sensors required
- Drip irrigation for beds preferred
- Reclaimed water where available
- Max 2 days/week watering (varies by county)

---

## Utilities

### Underground Utility Clearances
| From | Min Horizontal | Min Vertical |
|------|----------------|--------------|
| Water to sewer | 10' | 18" (water above) |
| Gas to electric | 12" | 12" |
| Electric to water | 12" | 12" |
| All to structure | 5' typical | N/A |

### Utility Easements
| Type | Typical Width |
|------|---------------|
| Rear yard utility | 10'-15' |
| Side yard drainage | 10' |
| Front yard utility | 5'-10' |
| Major transmission | 20'-100' |

### Fire Hydrant Spacing
| Zone | Max Spacing |
|------|-------------|
| Residential | 500' |
| Commercial | 300' |
| Industrial | 300' |

### Transformer Pads
- Size: typically 6' x 8' to 8' x 10'
- Clearances: 10' front, 3' sides/rear
- Surface: concrete pad
- Access: from public way

---

## Stormwater Management

### Florida-Specific Requirements
- Treatment of first 1" of runoff
- 25-year, 24-hour storm detention
- Discharge rate ≤ pre-development
- Littoral shelf in retention ponds

### BMP Options
| BMP | Space Needed | Maintenance |
|-----|--------------|-------------|
| Retention pond | Large | Monthly inspection |
| Detention pond | Large | Monthly inspection |
| Swale | Linear | Seasonal mowing |
| Exfiltration trench | Underground | Annual inspection |
| Pervious pavement | At paving | Vacuum annually |
| Rain garden | Moderate | Seasonal maintenance |

### Pond Sizing (Rule of Thumb)
```
Treatment volume: 1" × impervious area
Attenuation volume: varies by storm design

Example:
- 1 acre site, 50% impervious
- Treatment: 1" × 0.5 acre × 43,560 SF = 1,815 CF
- Pond: ~50' × 50' × 1.5' average depth
```

---

## Site Lighting

### Light Levels (Foot-candles)
| Area | Min FC | Max FC |
|------|--------|--------|
| Parking lot | 1.0 | 5.0 |
| Walkways | 0.5 | 2.0 |
| Building entries | 5.0 | 10.0 |
| Service areas | 2.0 | 5.0 |
| Security areas | 2.0 | 5.0 |

### Pole Heights
| Application | Height |
|-------------|--------|
| Parking lot | 20'-30' |
| Walkways | 12'-15' |
| Residential | 10'-12' |
| Street lights | 25'-35' |

### Light Trespass (Dark Sky)
- Max 0.1 FC at property line (residential)
- Shielded fixtures required
- 3000K max color temperature
- Cutoff angles to prevent glare

---

## ADA Site Requirements

### Accessible Routes
- 36" min width (48" preferred)
- 2% max cross slope
- 5% max running slope (or ramp)
- Firm, stable, slip-resistant surface
- Detectable warnings at curb ramps

### Curb Ramps
- Max 8.33% slope (1:12)
- 36" min width
- Flared sides: 10% max
- Landing: 48" × 48" min at top
- Detectable warning: 24" deep

### Accessible Parking
- Closest to accessible entrance
- On accessible route
- Level (2% max slope any direction)
- Signage: 60" min to bottom of sign

---

## Site Plan Checklist

### Required Information
- [ ] Property lines and dimensions
- [ ] Setback lines
- [ ] Building footprint with dimensions
- [ ] Parking layout with counts
- [ ] Driveways and access points
- [ ] Grading and drainage
- [ ] Utilities (existing and proposed)
- [ ] Landscaping
- [ ] Site lighting
- [ ] Stormwater management
- [ ] Accessible routes
- [ ] North arrow and scale
- [ ] Legal description
- [ ] Zoning designation
