TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Anthea Gianniotes, Development Services Director
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: July 14, 2026
Title
ORDINANCE NO. 31-26: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 4, “ZONING REGULATIONS,” ARTICLE 4.3, “DISTRICT REGULATIONS, GENERAL PROVISIONS,” SECTION 4.3.4, “BASE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS,” SUBSECTION (H), “SETBACKS” TO SPECIFY THAT THE REAR SETBACK REQUIREMENTS SHALL BE APPLIED TO SIDE LOT LINES ADJOINING ALLEYS; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AUTHORITY TO CODIFY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. (FIRST READING)
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Consider Ordinance No. 31-26, a City-initiated request to amend and update Section 4.3.4, “Base District Development Standards,” Subsection (H), “Setbacks” of the Land Development Regulations (LDR) to specify that rear setback requirements shall be applied to side lot lines adjoining alleys.
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Background:
The Always Delray Comprehensive Plan identifies alleys as a Local Street in Table MBL-1, Street Network Classification and Improvements. Alleys are intended for pedestrian and vehicular use as a means of access. Therefore, alleys are technically classified as a street. Outside of the CBD, lot lines adjoining alleys are regulated by the Side Street Setback, which is generally greater than the required Rear or Side Interior setbacks. The CBD, which uses a form-based code, applies the rear setback requirement to all lot lines along alleys (LDR Section 4.4.13(D)(2)(a)(2)).
Outside of the downtown area, alleys are not as intensely used as streets. Alleys are typically present in the eastern neighborhoods of the city, which are characterized by smaller lots with an interconnected block structure. Most alleys were originally platted as 16 feet wide, frequently...
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