Industrial Real Estate and Warehouse Regulations in Sarasota

In Sarasota, industrial properties and warehouses are vital for logistics and manufacturing but face strict rules on zoning, permitting, building codes, and environmental compliance to address their size, safety, and impact on local ecosystems, requiring developers and business owners to navigate county and state regulations carefully. These facilities must also meet Florida’s hurricane resilience and stormwater management standards, while handling waste and emissions responsibly. Accessing guidance from local planning departments and environmental agencies can help ensure compliance and smooth project development.

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Zoning for Industrial Properties

Industrial zones in Sarasota, such as Industrial Light (IL) and Industrial Heavy (IH) in the Sarasota County UDC, and Industrial General (IG) in the City of Sarasota Zoning Codes, allow warehouses and manufacturing facilities. The 17th Street neighborhood hosts many industrial listings, per PropertyShark.

Live Local Act

Allows mixed-use residential in industrial zones if 40% of units are affordable, bypassing traditional zoning changes.

Setbacks and Heights

Vary by zone, with IH allowing taller structures for warehouses with heavy power needs, per LoopNet.

LIVE LOCAL ACT 2025

Live Local Act 2025 Amendments and Mixed-Use Opportunities

The Live Local Act, amended in 2025 via Senate Bill 1730, expands mixed-use residential development in industrial zones to address affordable housing. Local governments must approve multifamily projects on commercial, industrial, or mixed-use sites if at least 40% of units are affordable for 30 years at 120% of area median income, bypassing traditional zoning barriers. Industrial use is defined as any non-residential, for-profit activity like wholesaling or equipment rentals, permitted by right without variances.

Mixed-use projects require at least two categories—residential, commercial, or industrial—with residential comprising at least 65% of square footage; local rules cannot mandate more than 10% non-residential space. Density, height, and floor area ratio cannot fall below July 1, 2023, levels, with heights up to the highest allowed within one mile or 10 stories maximum. For sites adjacent to single-family neighborhoods with 25 or more homes, heights are capped at 150% of nearby buildings or three stories. The act applies to portions of Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) permitting industrial uses and empowers religious institutions to build affordable housing with priority approvals. No parking requirements apply in transit-oriented areas, and moratoria on developments are limited to infrastructure issues like stormwater.

Warehouse owners can incorporate residential components but must file a Land Use Restriction Agreement (LURA) for affordability. Learn more at https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1730.

ADVANCED ZONING

Advanced Zoning Insights for Industrial Warehouses in Sarasota

Sarasota County’s Unified Development Code (UDC) governs industrial zoning for warehouses and manufacturing facilities. The Industrial Light (IL) district permits warehouses, light manufacturing, and distribution with minimal external impacts, suitable for smaller operations. The Industrial Heavy (IH) district supports larger warehouses with structures up to 50 feet tall and higher power requirements, ideal for modern logistics and heavy industry.

The Industrial Research (IR) district focuses on warehousing, wholesaling, and storage in designated major employment centers, as shown on the county’s Future Land Use Map. In the City of Sarasota, the Industrial General (IG) zone allows warehouses, manufacturing, and processing by right under Article 5 of the Zoning Code, subject to base zone standards and overlay districts on the official zoning map.

Special exceptions may be required for intensive storage or hazardous materials, per Section 5.2 of the city’s code. Developers must confirm zoning via the county’s GIS portal or the city’s Zoning Atlas, which provides interactive parcel data. Setbacks vary, with IH allowing reduced setbacks for larger structures, while IL requires greater buffers near residential zones.

Verify zoning details at https://www.scgov.net/government/planning-and-development-services/planning-and-zoning or https://sarasota.maps.arcgis.com.

Building Codes and Permitting

The 2023 Florida Building Code (FBC) governs warehouse construction, emphasizing:

Heavy Power

Warehouses require robust electrical systems, per FBC electrical codes.

Clear Heights

Up to 26 feet for modern logistics, per LoopNet.

Fire Safety

Large sprinkler systems and fire-resistant materials are mandatory.

Permits are obtained through Sarasota County Building Division or City of Sarasota, with virtual inspections via VuSpex, per Sarasota County.

Environmental Regulations

Warehouses must comply with environmental laws:

Hazardous Materials

Phase I and II assessments address contamination risks, per Agora Real.

Stormwater Management

Required to prevent runoff pollution, per Sarasota County Code, Chapter 54, Article XXXII.

Burn Bans

Prohibit burning of construction debris, per Sarasota County Code, Chapter 54, Article V.

Contact Sarasota County Environmental Protection for compliance guidance.

Permitting and Inspections

Permits are required for construction, renovations, and utilities, submitted via City of Sarasota Development Services or Sarasota County Building Division. Sarasota County uses VuSpex Live Virtual Inspection software for efficient inspections, per Sarasota County.