Dave's Nuggets

August 2026 Public Information Series

Understanding Okaloosa County's Development Order Hearing Process

Throughout the month of August, Dave's Nuggets will guide readers through the Okaloosa County Development Order Hearing process. Each week builds on the previous one, helping citizens understand how development decisions are reviewed, how the public may participate, and how to prepare meaningful, fact-based comments supported by County Code. Whether you are new to the process or have attended public hearings before, this series is designed to provide a practical roadmap from the Notice of Intent through final County action.

Week 1 — August 1–7

Understanding the Development Order and Petition Process

• What a Development Order is.

• What County staff review before issuing a decision.

• The Notice of Intent to approve, approve with conditions, or deny.

• The seven-day petition deadline.

• Who may request a hearing.

• How to complete the petition form.

• How to prepare a general Statement of Objection.

The Notice of Intent is not necessarily the end of the process. Residents must understand the procedure and act quickly if they wish to request a Development Order Hearing.

Week 2 — August 8–14

Preparing the Memorandum of Error

• What the Memorandum of Error is.

• Why specific County Code citations matter.

• The difference between the Land Development Code and the Comprehensive Plan.

• How to identify the proper Code citations.

• How to explain why a project allegedly fails a requirement.

• How to propose corrective actions.

• Why the fourteen-day filing deadline is critical.

A successful Memorandum of Error must be timely, specific, Code-based, supported by project evidence, and focused on possible corrective measures.

Week 3 — August 15–21

Scope of the Hearing and Public Participation

• Why all objections must be included in the Memorandum of Error.

• County Code issues versus outside agency permits.

• The separate process for Comprehensive Plan challenges.

• Scheduling the Planning Commission hearing.

• The pre-hearing resolution meeting.

• Why no final action occurs before the hearing.

• How interested citizens may participate.

The hearing has a defined legal scope, but interested residents may still attend and present relevant verbal or written statements.

Week 4 — August 22–28

Planning Commission, County Commission, and Evidence

• The Planning Commission's role.

• Approval, denial, or remand.

• When the Board of County Commissioners becomes involved.

• The second opportunity to resolve objections.

• Final action by the BCC.

• Organizing evidence around County Code requirements.

• Using the applicant's reports and technical documents as evidence.

The strongest public participation relies on documented facts, applicable County Code provisions, and clearly stated corrective actions—not speculation or unsupported conclusions.

Week 5 — August 29–31

Avoiding Mistakes and Building the Public Record

• Common procedural mistakes that can weaken or invalidate a petition.

• Building a complete and organized hearing record.

• Final overview of the Development Order Hearing process.

Effective public participation begins with preparation, follows the required procedures, and builds a clear record supported by facts and County Code.