Deerfield Beach Voters Reject Waterfront Development Amendments
Residents turned down three land-use charter changes while approving a two-year residency rule for mayoral and commission candidates.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in City Hall
Live Poll
Should Deerfield Beach loosen rules to allow more waterfront development?
Deerfield Beach voters rejected Amendments E, G, and H on the Nov. 3 ballot, which would have loosened waterfront development and land-sale restrictions. Amendment E was rejected by 77.5 percent of voters, Amendment G by nearly 71 percent, and Amendment H by almost 74 percent.
Why it matters
The vote keeps limits on beachfront development and city land sales in place for Deerfield Beach residents. The result also reflects voter resistance to changes that city officials, including Mayor Todd Drosky, had backed as a way to encourage modest redevelopment.
Amendment E would have required Commission approval for city land sales or leases above $750,000, and Amendment G would have removed most zoning limits east of the Intracoastal Waterway. Amendment H, which was rejected by almost 74 percent of voters, would have removed the rule barring city-owned beach-area parking from counting toward development requirements.
The players
Todd Drosky
Mayor of Deerfield Beach who backed efforts to loosen development regulations.
The details
Deerfield Beach city officials placed nine charter amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot, and the three land-use measures were among those voters rejected. Voters did approve a requirement that mayoral and commission candidates live in the city for two years instead of six months, passing with 69 percent support.
Timeline
Nov. 3: Deerfield Beach voters cast ballots on the nine charter amendments.
Seasonal Patterns
Voters rejected the three waterfront amendments while approving the residency and boundary-map changes, leaving the charter's existing floor area ratio limits of 1.0 for commercial and 0.8 for multifamily projects in place.
Waterfront property owners and developers will continue to face existing limits, including floor area ratios of 1.0 for commercial projects and 0.8 for multifamily buildings. City land sales above $750,000 remain subject to the current approval process.
The takeaway
Local ballot measures on zoning and land sales can shape a city's development path for years, so residents who follow City Hall votes gain a clearer view of future projects.
Further reading
For more on local government decisions, see City Hall coverage of Deerfield Beach.
Live Poll
Should Deerfield Beach loosen rules to allow more waterfront development?
