Tavares amends code to make final plats an administrative decision under new state law

Tavares City Council on Wednesday approved Ordinance 2025-08 to amend the city's land development regulations so final plats are processed administratively by city staff rather than voted by the planning and zoning board or the council.

The change implements a state law signed June 20, 2025, effective July 1, 2025, that removes final-plat approval authority from local boards and councils and reserves that ministerial step for staff. City Administrator John Drury (identified in the record as city administrator) and Planning staff explained the ordinance mirrors the statute and adds a new title block and administrative sign-off provisions.

City staff told the council the final plat is a ministerial document that confirms constructed improvements (streets, water, sewer, stormwater, lot counts) match the preliminary plat the council previously approved. Planning and zoning and council retain review of preliminary plats and subdivision standards; the ordinance only transfers the final, administrative certification to the city administrator or designee.

Council members asked clarifying questions about what the law meant by a "certain plat" and whether some replat or subdivision submittals would still come to council. Staff answered that the term refers to final plats and that preliminary and subdivision approvals remain subject to council review. No roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript; council approved the ordinance by voice vote.

The ordinance updates Table 4-B and Section 4-22 in Chapter 4 (application procedures and permitting) and amends Chapter 16 (subdivision regulations) to replace Form 16-13 in its entirety to reflect the new administrative process. The city attorney reviewed the draft and found it legally consistent with the state law language as presented.

Council adopted the ordinance on second reading by voice vote; the clerk recorded the motion, and the mayor announced, "Ayes have it."