Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan is an official public document adopted by the Santa Rosa County Commission that sets forth the county’s policies and guides decision-making related to the physical development of the county. It is formulated in broad terms and creates the framework for future implementation, such as parcel-specific zoning or the design of infrastructure projects. The purpose of this document is to evaluate existing conditions and adequately plan for future expansion related to projected growth rates.

In 2013, Santa Rosa County began the major undertaking of updating the county’s Comprehensive Plan. Santa Rosa has had a Comprehensive Plan since 1990 and this project represents the second major revision since its original adoption. See Comp Plan Amendments Matrix for previous amendments.

Goals

The revision will extend the life of the plan to 2040 with the following goals:

• Incorporate changes in state level planning requirements. In 2011, the Florida Legislature made significant changes to the minimum requirements for local government comprehensive plans found in Chapter 163, Florida Statutes and the repealed Rule 9J-5 of the Florida Administrative Code where much of the specific comprehensive planning requirements were found. This has created more flexibility for local governments to adopt more locally relevant plans.
• Removal of outdated references, repetitive or meaningless policies, including a significant update to the plan’s supporting documentation (data and analysis).
• Introduce a framework that allows the county to plan by areas, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach to county planning. Planning separately for individual geographic areas, such as the north end, Pace, Milton, East Milton, south end and Navarre Beach, will make the plan more meaningful and locally-focused.