What can be Developed within Carillo’s Zoning Plan?

by Quatro Legal Real Estate Team | March 21, 2025

A Costa Rican lawyer provides legal consultation to a couple on residency application requirements and processes.

A zoning plan is a set of rules and guidelines established by a local or regional authority to organize and regulate land use and urban development in a specific area. The plan defines the zones within a given area and determines what types of activities can be carried out in each one (such as residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, etc.), as well as the specific conditions for construction, infrastructure, and services. This includes aspects such as building density, maximum building height, mandatory setbacks or margins, and the use of green spaces, among others.

The primary objective of Carrillo’s zoning plan is to guide sustainable development while preserving the area’s natural beauty.

The uses of land classification by the zoning plan are as follows:

TOURIST DEVELOPMENT ZONE, which is divided into: Core area for tourist attractions and planned area for tourist development.
AREA PLANNED FOR TOURIST DEVELOPMENT: These are areas designated for the development of tourist businesses such as lodging and restaurants, with medium and low densities.
MIXED ZONE COMPOSED OF MIXED AREA FOR TOURISM AND THE COMMUNITY: Development in these areas must allow for the integration of existing community areas (housing and public facilities) and small businesses into future development.
ZONE FOR THE COMMUNITY: Areas where public and commercial facilities for local residents must be preserved. This includes the provision of public services, security, recreation, and other related services necessary for the functioning of local towns or communities.
OTHER ZONE WHICH CORRESPONDS TO: Area designated for cooperatives, roadways, future development and protection zones.

Below is a summary of the limitations to develop of some of the areas affected by the zoning plan:

Requirements	Tourism Development Z.	Area planned for tourism D.	Mixed Area
Purpose	Facilities and services to ensure the public enjoyment of the tourist space.	Promote the development of tourist businesses.	Promote the mixed development of tourism and community at relatively medium or high densities.
Permited Uses	a) Basic Services: Cloakroom, Restrooms, Showers, Lifeguard, Medical, Information, Communications, Parking. b) Public recreation: sports courts, playgrounds, rest areas, recreational parks. c) Tourist Commercials: Café, soda, soda fountains, shops, crafts, bakeries. General Commercials: Shops, crafts, bakeries, services, grocery stores.	Tourist businesses with the tourism declaration issued by the ICT (Costarican tourism board)	Tourist use: Businesses with the tourism declaration issued by the ICT. Communal use: Single-family housing, shops, grocery stores, small cafés, cafeterias, and small businesses. Recreational parks, sports fields, and cultural centers when associated with population centers or communal activities.
Not permitted uses	Tourist accommodation, restaurant, swimming pool, housing.	Any type of activity that does not correspond to businesses included in the Regulations for Tourist Businesses and Activities, and the Regulations for Tourist Accommodation Businesses, both established by the ICT.	For tourism: Activities that does not correspond to accommodation and restaurant businesses. For communal use: Rental housing or for commercial use.
Minimum and maximum area	a) Basic services: Minimum: 1500 m²; Maximum: 5000 m², per lot. b) Recreation: Minimum 5,000 m²; maximum 10,000 m² per lot. c) Commercial: Minimum 1,000 m²; maximum 5,000 m² per lot.	Accommodation businesses: Minimum: 5,000 m²; Maximum: 60,000 m², per lot. Other types of businesses: Minimum 1,500 m²; Maximum 3,000 m².	Tourist use: Minimum 500 m²; Maximum 10,000 m² per lot. Residential use: Minimum 500 m²; Maximum 4,000 m² per lot. Commercial use: Minimum 200 m²; Maximum 2,000 m².
Coverage	Up to a maximum of 80%.	Up to a maximum of 60%.	Up to a maximum of 70%.
Density	Not applicable	Lots from 5,000 to 20,000 m², up to 30 rooms per hectare. Lots from 21,000 to 40,000 m², up to 40 rooms per hectare. Lots from 41,000 to 60,000 m², up to 50 rooms per hectare.	Tourism density: Up to 30 rooms per hectare. Residential use: One dwelling per lot. Commercial use: One commercial unit per lot.
Height	1 floor with a maximum height of 7.5 meters.	3 floors or a maximum height of 14 meters.	Height: 2 floors with a maximum height of 10 meters.
Setback	3 meters on the sides, rear, and front.	5 meters on the sides, rear, and front.	Setbacks: 3 meters on the sides, rear, and front.
Green area porcentages	Minimum 20% of the lot area.	Minimum 40% of the lot area.	Minimum 30% of the lot area.

The zoning plan of Carrillo, Guanacaste, represents a crucial step in managing the district’s development in a sustainable manner. It provides a framework for balancing the needs of economic growth, environmental protection, and community well-being. While challenges exist, particularly with pressure from real estate development and climate change, the zoning plan offers a pathway to ensure that Carrillo remains a thriving, ecologically rich region for future generations. Through careful implementation, public participation, and long-term planning, Carrillo can maintain its unique identity as both a popular tourist destination and a resilient, sustainable community.

Access to the full zoning plan HERE

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your case further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to assist you!

Hilary Cruz Chaves
Phone: (506) 2103-7294
Email: hcc@quatro.legal

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the content, laws and regulations are subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please contact our office directly. Some images may be AI generated.

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