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Commissioner’s Message

From the Desk of Commissioner Heather Moraitis

he city passed an ordinance to regulate community residences commonly
referred to a “sober homes”, in order to protect the residents of those homes,
T persons with disabilities who are in recovery, from concentrations that undermine
the ability of community residents to achieve normalization and community
integration, and to protect the character of the neighborhood. The ordinance
generally is modelled after an ordinance recently adopted in Delray Beach.
In summary, the ordinance regulates Community Residences, by 1) defining “family”
for purposes of regulating dwelling units; 2) defining Community Residences, including
two types: Family Community Residences and Transitional Community Residences; 3)
allowing Community Residences in the city residential zoning districts as either
permitted or conditional uses, depending on the type of Community Residence; 3)
requiring certification of all Community Residences by the state credentialing agency
under Section 397.487, Florida Statutes; 4) establishing conditional use requirements
for Community Residences; and 5) establishing a reasonable accommodation process,
by special magistrate, necessary for Community Residences of 11 persons or more,
and to allow modifications in the zoning standards.
Heather Moraitis
District I Commissioner
Essentially, a family is defined as related persons, or up to three (3) unrelated
persons. A Community Residence generally is a residential living arrangement for
more than (3) unrelated individuals with disabilities, living as a single functional family
to provide shelter in a family-like environment, which is important to their recovery.
A Family Community Residence is a relatively permanent living arrangement,
measured in years, for 4 – 10 persons. A Transitional Community Residence is a
temporary living arrangement, measured in weeks or months, for 4- 10 persons.
All Community Residences must register with the City and be certified by the state
credentialing agency, if one is available for the type of disability. Community
Residences, of either type, are allowed in all residential districts as permitted uses if
they are 3 persons or less. Community Residences, of either type, with 11 or more
residents, are only allowed in residential districts if they receive a reasonable
accommodation approval.
Family community residences (4 – 10 persons) are allowed in all residential districts
as a permitted use if they meet 1000’ distance requirements from other community
Office Contact: residences and community residential homes (SSRFs). If they do not meet distance
Melissa Coningsby separation requirements, they must obtain a conditional use permit, which includes
District 1 Commission Assistant
Email: mconingsby@fortlauderdale.gov additional standards for community residences.
Phone: 954.828.5667 Transitional community residences (4 – 10 persons) are allowed in single family
residential districts by conditional use and must meet 1000’ distance requirements from
other community residences and community residential homes (SSRFs). They are also
permitted in multifamily residential districts if they meet 1000’ distance requirements
from other community residences and community residential homes (SSRFs). If they do
not meet distance requirements in multifamily districts, they must obtain a conditional
use permit, which includes additional standards for community residences.

Heather Moraitis
District I Commissioner

12 The Landings & Bay Colony