POLK COUNTY
NEIGHBORHOOD
BILL OF RIGHTS

A guide to participating in planning and development issues in your neighborhood

Participate In Planning and Development Issues Concerning Your Neighborhood.
Your Polk County Board of County Commissioners recognizes that neighborhoods have an interest in participating in those planning and development issues which affect them. That's what the Neighborhood Bill of Rights program is all about.

Under this program, neighborhood groups get a better opportunity to participate in land use matters being considered by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. Public input is important to us. Residents have a chance to be involved in land management issues and can help determine what our county's communities look like.

Neighborhood Registry
The cornerstone of the Neighborhood Bill of Rights program is the Registry of Neighborhood Organizations which is maintained by the Polk County Land Development Division.

Requests for land use changes, conditional use permits, and planned developments in unincorporated Polk County will be noticed to all organizations on the Registry, within a mile of the project, approximately 30 days prior to the public hearing.

Notices from Land Development include general information about the request, date and time of the meeting, and instructions on how to submit comments.

Land use decisions are made by considering a long list of factors. There are many conditions on which agreements can be reached, such as setbacks, buffers, densities, and allowed uses. The County strives to always gain community input and support on projects. Projects that have positive community support are typically more successful.

Neighborhood Bill of Rights Brochure link.

Latest Registary of Neighborhood Organinaztions link.

What is considered a neighborhood organization?
We realize that neighborhood organizations range from formally incorporated associations that are very active and meet regularly, to small groups of homeowners who have banded together just for one issue or purpose. All are eligible for the neighborhood registry. Documentation of the type of organization is necessary for registration. If your group is not incorporated, you must be able to show it represents at least half (50%) of the residents in a specific area.

Staff will be happy to talk with you concerning the Neighborhood Registry, help you register your organization, and/or answer your questions.

How to sign up
Complete an application, attach all backup information requested on the Application CheckList and mail to or drop off at the Land Development Division. All information must be received prior to your organization being added to the Registry.

To print an application click here (144KB).

If you have any questions, contact Land Development at (863) 534-6792.

Mailing Address:
Land Development
Drawer GM03
P.O. Box 9005,
Bartow, FL 33831-9005

Street Address:
Polk County Administration Building
(Second Floor)
330 West Church Street
Bartow, FL 33830