- September 16, 2026
Daytona Beach officials are considering a new approach to getting homes built on small vacant lots, with commissioners expressing support for a proposal that could provide property owners with pre-approved house plans and a more streamlined path through the development process.
The concept, called “Getting to Yes,” was presented to the Daytona Beach City Commission on Aug. 19 as part of a comprehensive review of city-owned properties prepared by Anne Ruby.
The study found the city owns 385 parcels. Of those, 84 were identified as properties that could potentially be returned to the tax rolls after additional review. Twenty-two properties — including 14 within Community Redevelopment Areas — were placed in the “Getting to Yes” category. Most are vacant, nonconforming lots between about 2,500 and 4,800 square feet.
Ruby proposed developing pre-approved building plans designed specifically for small lots, such as a 50-by-50-foot property. Instead of requiring a property owner to begin the design and approval process from scratch, the city could have several house designs ready for use.
“The advantage of trying to get to yes would be that it would streamline the path to construction,” Ruby said. “It would be easier to build.”
Ruby said the program could activate vacant properties and result in less expensive homes, not because the houses would be subject to an affordable housing program or income restrictions, but because they would be smaller and built on smaller lots.
Commissioner Paula Reed said the concept could help residents who may own property but don't know what they can build on it.
“I love your suggestions,” Reed said. “The report is great. I think if we were to take your suggestions, it would be proactive on our part.”
Reed said many residents don't understand what options are available for their properties.
“I think a lot of times citizens don't know what to do,” she said. “They don't know what size lots they have or what can they do with the lots they have. And if we had those plans in place, I think it would help them to move forward.”
Commissioner Quanita May also questioned whether the city could take the streamlining concept a step further by completing some of the regulatory work before a resident or developer becomes involved.
“If we move ahead and we create, move through all the paperwork ourselves, streamline the process for that particular piece of property, the variances, the approvals, everything has already gone through,” May said. “The resident would not have to do that. And that would make it more affordable for them also.”
Ruby said creating such a program would require significant work. She pointed to South Bend, Indiana, which began working on its program in 2020 but did not launch it until 2023. Ruby said South Bend spent about $240,000 developing the plans.
“I think it's sort of the beginnings of an idea,” Ruby said, adding that Daytona Beach would need staff from multiple departments involved to make the program work.
Ruby pointed to South Bend, Indiana, as an example of how pre-approved building plans can help spur development. She said the city's program had resulted in 68 structures containing 91 housing units through April.
The concept also could extend beyond property owned by Daytona Beach. The city's study found 131 privately owned vacant residential parcels of similar nonconforming sizes in the same nine neighborhoods examined for the program.
May said she wants commissioners to hold a workshop to dig deeper into the city's property inventory and determine what should happen next.
“We have some great information,” May said. “We know what the properties are and we know who owns the properties. Do we have a next steps concept?”
May suggested eventually bringing together owners of vacant properties and potential developers, creating what she described as a marketplace where the city could help connect people who own land with those capable of developing it.
“The private person, potentially the private person, again, does not know what to do,” May said. “And we may have to help a bit with that.”
May said she sees particular potential for development in her district.
“I see many parcels in Zone 3 that I would like to see developed,” she said.
The “Getting to Yes” proposal remains in the conceptual stage. The city's property study recommends further evaluation of potential projects, annual reviews of city-owned property and development of plans for properties the city no longer needs.
Commissioners indicated they want to continue examining the housing concept through a future workshop, including looking at how pre-approved building programs have worked in other cities.
