COUNTY MEETS WITH STATE ON ADDITIONAL ROGO ALLOCATIONS; PLAN TO EXTEND ROGO SCHEDULE THROUGH JULY 2027

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – Last week, Monroe County Planning Growth Management staff met with representatives from Florida Commerce and the Governor’s office in Tallahassee. The meeting was to discuss the process for incorporating additional Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO) units approved in the past legislative session into the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan for building permits. State of Florida staff indicated that the required updated modeling is complete; however, they are still finalizing the exact method by which the state will confirm and approve the number of units to be distributed to each jurisdiction.
 
The newly adopted statutory requirements include the following:

• The permit allocations must be distributed to counties and municipalities based on the number of vacant buildable lots within each jurisdiction.
• The permit allocations must be distributed over a period of at least 10 years.
• The permit allocations may not exceed 900 total Keyswide permit allocations.
• All permits must be issued for vacant, buildable parcels.
• Only one permit may be awarded for any individual parcel.
• The distribution must prioritize allocations for owner-occupied residences, affordable housing, and workforce housing.

 
Both state offices indicated a potential requirement for approval by the Governor and Cabinet through the Administration Commission. The next Cabinet meeting is scheduled for Dec. 16, but it is unknown if ROGO allocations will be included on that agenda at this time.
 
“Monroe County’s current ROGO allocations run out in July 2026,” said Growth Management Director Emily Schemper. “This makes the need to move forward on the lengthy process for a comprehensive plan amendment to add or redistribute units urgent.”
 
The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners will discuss the topic at their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at approximately 11:30 a.m., at the Marathon Government Center. Until the state provides further guidance, staff is recommending using 62 of the county’s existing set-aside ROGO allocations known as “administrative relief” for building permit awards through July 2027. This ensures the county can continue issuing building permits after July 2026, when the existing ROGO allocations expire.
 
Additional information and meeting details can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/meetings. The item is J6.

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