Retail Store Size Caps – Other Examples (newest additions at top)
State College, PA
This borough of about 42,000 people added store size limits in a newly created commercial district. The measure was adopted in 2013, and limits commercial uses to 70,000 square feet, and non-commercial uses to 35,000 square feet. Download the ordinance [PDF].
Lincoln City, OR
This coastal community of about 8,000 people prohibits commercial buildings larger than 60,000 square feet. The measure was adopted in 2003.
Guilford, CT
This town of 20,000 people caps the size of retail stores townwide. The size limit varies by area, ranging from 15,000 to 60,000 square feet.
Powell, Ohio
Prohibits shopping centers with multiple tenants over 65,000 square feet and single stores over 10,000 square feet.
Exeter, RI
This town of 6,000 has adopted a 40,000-square-foot size cap.
Warner, New Hampshire
In March 2001, the town of Warner adopted a size cap limiting retail stores to no more than 20,000 square feet and retail buildings grouped on the same lot to no more than 40,000 square feet of combined space.
Southampton, NY
In order to prevent suburban sprawl and foster smaller retails stores, the town of Southampton enacted an ordinance barring stores over 15,000 square feet in 2002.
Victor, New York
The town of Victor, New York, limits buildings in its business districts to no more than 10,000 square feet total and 5,000 square feet per floor.
Mendon, New York
Mendon has established a 5,000-square-foot size limit for its business zone.
Sunshine Coast Regional District, British Columbia, Canada
In 2007, SCRD, a regional governing body that encompasses several towns, adopted a region-wide store size limit of 2,350 square meters (about 25,000 square feet).
Lake Placid, Florida
In 2005, the town enacted an ordinance barring stores over 100,000 square feet.
Miami, Florida
The City Commission adopted an ordinance in December 2005 that bars stores over 70,000 square feet from the historic Coconut Grove neighborhood.
Stratham, New Hampshire
In1999, residents of Stratham successfully blocked Wal-Mart’s attempt to build a 200,000 square foot outlet on sensitive wetlands. Concerned that other large retails might be headed their way, in March 2000 residents voted 3 to 1 to adopt an 80,000 square foot limit on new retail stores, light industrial uses, and offices.
Clermont, Florida
Clermont’s zoning code prohibits retail development over 100,000 square feet.
Largo, Florida
In 2005, Largo adopted an ordinance capping stores at 125,000 s.f. and requiring those over 50,000 s.f. to meet design standards.
Old Saybrook, CT
In 2002, the town enacted an ordinance banning stores over 88,000 square feet and restricting stores in some parts of town to no more than 25,000 square feet.
Milford Township (Pike County), Pennsylvania
In 2001, the town adopted a 60,000 square foot size limit for retail stores.
Cottage Grove, Wisconsin
In March 2006, the small town of Cottage Grove, just east of Madison, enacted a 60,000-square-foot size cap. “We’re trying to have stores and structures that don’t dwarf the scale of the community,” Village President Ken Dahl explained to The Capital Times. Currently a bedroom community, Cottage Grove plans to create a traditional downtown with small stores, offices and parks.
Mequon, Wisconsin
The town of Mequon limits retail stores to 20,000 square feet.
