Supporting a Successful Special Use Alcoholic Beverage Application
We recently completed a Boundary and Specific Purpose Survey for a client in Orlando, Florida who is in the process of applying for a Special Use Alcoholic Beverage Application. This type of survey plays a critical role in the municipal review process and is often a required component before a city or county will approve alcohol sales at a property.
Our team understands that when a business owner or developer is pursuing an alcoholic beverage approval, time, accuracy, and compliance are essential. Any missing information, incorrect measurements, or nonconforming exhibits can lead to costly delays, additional review cycles, or even denial of the application. That is why we focus on delivering surveys that meet the exact specifications required by the City of Orlando and other local jurisdictions, helping our clients move through the approval process efficiently and with confidence.
Why Cities Require a Boundary and Specific Purpose Survey
Cities and municipalities require boundary and specific purpose surveys for alcoholic beverage special use applications to ensure that proposed alcohol sales comply with local zoning codes, land development regulations, and public safety standards. These surveys provide decision-makers with a clear, legally defensible depiction of the property and its relationship to surrounding features.
In the City of Orlando, alcoholic beverage approvals often hinge on factors such as:
- Property boundaries and lot dimensions
- Distance separations from sensitive uses (such as schools, churches, parks, or residential zoning districts)
- Building footprints and entrances
- Adjacent rights-of-way and access points
- Compliance with zoning setbacks and use limitations
A properly prepared survey allows planning staff, zoning officials, and review boards to quickly verify that the proposed use meets all ordinance requirements. Without an accurate boundary and specific purpose survey, reviewers are left with assumptions or incomplete data—something municipalities simply cannot rely on when approving alcohol-related uses.
What Is a Specific Purpose Survey?
A Specific Purpose Survey is prepared to meet a defined regulatory or legal requirement. In this case, the survey was tailored specifically for an alcoholic beverage special use application. Unlike a generic boundary survey, a specific purpose survey is customized to show only the information required by the reviewing authority—presented clearly, accurately, and in the proper format.
For this Orlando project, our survey included:
- Verified property boundary and legal description
- Gross land area and dimensions
- Existing structures and relevant site features
- Abutting streets and rights-of-way
- Required distance measurements and zoning-related information
- Professional certification suitable for municipal submission
By aligning the survey content precisely with city requirements, we eliminated unnecessary information while ensuring nothing critical was missing.
Preventing Delays in the Application Process
One of the most common reasons special use applications are delayed is incomplete or noncompliant survey documentation. Cities may issue comments requesting revisions, clarifications, or entirely new surveys if the original submittal does not meet their standards.
Our approach is proactive. Before fieldwork begins, we review the applicable City of Orlando requirements, zoning codes, and application checklists to confirm exactly what needs to be shown. This allows us to:
- Capture the correct data during fieldwork
- Draft surveys that align with reviewer expectations
- Reduce back-and-forth comments from planning staff
- Help clients avoid resubmittals and extended review timelines
For our recent client, this meant delivering a survey that was ready for submission the first time—keeping their alcoholic beverage application moving forward without unnecessary setbacks.
Experience You Can Rely On
Our firm routinely provides boundary surveys, specific purpose surveys, and zoning-related exhibits for commercial properties throughout Orlando and Central Florida. We work closely with business owners, attorneys, architects, and planners to ensure our surveys integrate seamlessly into the broader approval process.
Whether you are applying for:
- A special use permit
- An alcoholic beverage license
- A zoning or planning approval
- A redevelopment or change of use
having a surveyor who understands municipal requirements can make a significant difference.
Planning an Alcoholic Beverage Application?
If you are considering applying for a Special Use Alcoholic Beverage Application in Florida, engaging a qualified land surveyor early in the process is one of the smartest steps you can take. An accurate, purpose-built survey not only satisfies city requirements—it helps protect your investment, your timeline, and your peace of mind.
Our team is committed to providing clear, compliant, and reliable surveying solutions tailored to your specific needs. From initial consultation through final deliverables, we focus on accuracy, professionalism, and responsiveness—so you can focus on moving your project forward.
Contact us today to learn how our boundary and specific purpose surveying services can support your next application and help you avoid unnecessary delays.