Sustainability - Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. United Nations Brundtland Commission (1987)

What's New?

Low Impact Development

August 2022 - June 2023
$75,000 grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Community Planning and Assistance Program to develop LID ordinance recommendations for Volusia County and a LID Implementation Guidebook for the region.

October 2023
The Volusia County Council directed staff to utilize the LID Audit Tool to evaluate Chapter 72 Land Development Regulations and develop a draft ordinance which encompasses voluntary LID and GSI practices with incentives. 

November 2023 - May 2024
County staff conduct an audit of the Land Development Regulations and create a draft ordinance.

July 2024
LID Ordinance tentatively scheduled for the Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission.

September 2024
LID Ordinance tentatively scheduled for County Council.

Sustainability Action Plan

On February 20, 2014, Volusia County Council adopted the Volusia County Sustainability Action Plan. The Sustainability Action Plan was created through an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block grant. This Plan identifies seven goals, which include promoting a healthy economy, environment and community; energy and water reduction and efficiency; and reducing waste and promoting recycling. Each of these goals is supported by objectives and implementable actions.  

The plan was created using guiding principles that include:

• Our economy, our community, and our environment are interconnected and mutually dependent
• As a county government, we have the opportunity and responsibility to use resource wisely and to encourage others to do the same.

Goals

     Provide a Healthy Economy: Create a sustainable business environment, retain viable commercial agriculture operations, and provide a high quality of life through provision of community amenities such as parks, libraries and cultural amenities.

    Maintain a Healthy Environment: Protect, restore and manage natural lands, manage and protect surface water bodies, protect threatened and endangered species, and plan for adaptation to sea level rise.

    Promote a Healthy Community: Encourage local food production, provide for urban open space, improve opportunities for walking and biking, and protect urban tree canopies to provide for the continued health of Volusia County’s residents, businesses and visitors. 

    Encourage Efficient Transportation and Community Design: Reduce automobile fuel consumption and emissions, improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, enhance public transit service, support pedestrian and transit-oriented development, and discourage single-occupancy vehicle use.

    Conserve Water and Promote Water Efficiency: Conserve the potable water supply through conservation measures applicable to indoor and outdoor water use in existing buildings and new construction.

    Conserve Energy and Promote Renewable Energy: Encourage energy efficiency retrofits for existing buildings, enhance energy performance for new construction, increase use of renewable energy, improve community energy management, provide alternative fuel options, and improve the county’s vehicle fleet.

  Reduce Waste and Promote Recycling: Build on past county successes to identify strategies to increase waste diversion rates and educate residents to become well-informed consumers.