The City of Zephyrhills has voted for a 12-month extension of its existing residential development moratorium during City Council meeting Monday. The proposed extension would continue restrictions on accepting new residential development applications for properties over one acre until July 13, 2026.
The moratorium, originally enacted on June 26, 2023, was put in place to give city staff time to address key infrastructure concerns, including the city’s water use permit and impact fee structure. While progress has been made—including the completion of an impact fee study and scheduling of related workshops—staff continues to work with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to secure additional water pumping capacity necessary to meet projected residential demands.
The proposed ordinance, Ordinance No. 1501-25, would prohibit the submission of new applications for annexations, land use modifications, rezonings, major amendments to planned unit developments, conditional uses, or variances for residential projects involving properties over one acre. The moratorium would not apply to projects already approved or permitted prior to June 2023, nor to any residential developments under one acre or any non-residential projects.
“The moratorium is a critical planning tool that allows us to ensure our infrastructure can support future growth,” said city staff in a background summary. “Our efforts to modify the water use permit are ongoing, and this extension is necessary to complete that work responsibly.”