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ITEM: ORDINANCE NO. 2026-11 (FREESTANDING SHADE STRUCTURE ZTA)
AN ORDINANCE OF WELLINGTON, FLORIDA’S COUNCIL, AMENDING SECTION 6.4.2.A OF WELLINGTON’S LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS (LDR) RELATED TO RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT/PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, AMENDING SECTION 6.4.4.A OF WELLINGTON’S LDR RELATED TO DESIGN STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
REQUEST: Approval of Ordinance No. 2026-11 to amend Section 6.4.2.A and Section 6.4.4.A of Wellington’s Land Development Regulations (LDR) related to regulations for freestanding accessory pergolas and shade structures within PUDs and Residential Zoning Districts.
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EXPLANATION: Staff have received an increased number of requests for detached pergolas and shade structures within the last few years. Section 6.4.4.A.2 of Wellington’s LDR requires all accessory structures over 120 SF to match the colors and materials of the principal structure, and any alternative design requires ARB approval for aesthetic compatibility. Oftentimes, these structures are pre-engineered, have flat roofs, and cannot be altered to match the principal structure. Since 2023, ARB has reviewed and approved 13 requests for detached pergolas/shade structures that do not match the principal structure.
At the March 25, 2026, ARB meeting, the Board expressed interest in modifying Wellington’s LDR to include language that would allow these structures without the need for ARB approval, as the Board has approved all requests that have come before them. Modifying the language will allow these structures to obtain the required building permit and not require the homeowner to go through the extra expense and time of getting ARB approval. The ARB unanimously approved (6-0) the draft language at the April 22, 2026, ARB meeting.
At the June 17, 2026 Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board meeting, the Board recommended approval of the text amendment with a 7 - 0 vote.
At the June 30, 2026 Village Council meeting, the Council unanimously approved (5-0) the proposed text amendment on first reading.
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: NO
PUBLIC HEARING: YES QUASI-JUDICIAL: NO (Legislative)
FIRST READING: SECOND READING: YES
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: YES
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
WELLINGTON FUNDAMENTAL: Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of Ordinance No. 2026-11 to amend Section 6.4.2.A and Section 6.4.4.A of Wellington’s Land Development Regulations (LDR) related to regulations for freestanding accessory pergolas and shade structures within PUDs and Residential Zoning Districts.