Deltona adopts ordinance to regulate certified recovery residences under new state law
March 02, 2026 | Deltona, Volusia County, Florida
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The Deltona City Commission approved Ordinance 36-2025 on second and final reading to update the city's land development code and comply with a 2025 change in state law requiring municipalities to regulate certified recovery residences.
City staff explained the ordinance implements the three primary statutory requirements: an approval and review process, a reasonable-accommodation procedure consistent with federal law, and objective standards for operation. In residential zoning districts the ordinance limits occupancy to a maximum of six tenants plus one on-site housing manager, requires rental agreements of at least 30 days, restricts parking to off‑street spaces, prohibits sexual offenders from residing at the facility, and includes a 1,000-foot separation requirement from other certified recovery residences or community residential homes.
The Planning & Zoning Board had unanimously recommended approval. Public commenters voiced a mix of support and concern: Tim Blahett urged protections for people with disabilities and welcomed the ordinance's protections, while other speakers asked how enforcement would work and whether the city had enough resources to monitor compliance.
City staff and commissioners said the ordinance was intended to comply with Florida Senate Bill 954 and federal fair‑housing law, and stressed that the local code would not add requirements beyond what state law allows. The commission voted in favor at second reading and adopted the ordinance.
What happens next: the code changes take effect per the ordinance's effective date and staff will implement the reasonable-accommodation procedures and enforcement measures included in the code.
City staff explained the ordinance implements the three primary statutory requirements: an approval and review process, a reasonable-accommodation procedure consistent with federal law, and objective standards for operation. In residential zoning districts the ordinance limits occupancy to a maximum of six tenants plus one on-site housing manager, requires rental agreements of at least 30 days, restricts parking to off‑street spaces, prohibits sexual offenders from residing at the facility, and includes a 1,000-foot separation requirement from other certified recovery residences or community residential homes.
The Planning & Zoning Board had unanimously recommended approval. Public commenters voiced a mix of support and concern: Tim Blahett urged protections for people with disabilities and welcomed the ordinance's protections, while other speakers asked how enforcement would work and whether the city had enough resources to monitor compliance.
City staff and commissioners said the ordinance was intended to comply with Florida Senate Bill 954 and federal fair‑housing law, and stressed that the local code would not add requirements beyond what state law allows. The commission voted in favor at second reading and adopted the ordinance.
What happens next: the code changes take effect per the ordinance's effective date and staff will implement the reasonable-accommodation procedures and enforcement measures included in the code.
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