ADU Rules in Clearwater, Florida

Clearwater's current Community Development Code expressly allows accessory dwelling units in multiple zoning contexts. The standards are not identical across every district, so the parcel's zoning must be checked before applying a single set of dimensions.

Residential ADU Standards

In the residential flexibility criteria reviewed in Article 2:

• Maximum size: 750 sq ft or 50% of the gross floor area of the principal detached dwelling, whichever is less.
• Number: one ADU on a parcel with conforming density.
• Owner occupancy: either the principal detached dwelling or the ADU must be occupied by the property owner.
• Attached ADU setbacks: the principal detached dwelling setbacks apply.
• Detached ADU setbacks: the applicable zoning-district table setbacks apply.
• Detached ADU height: governed by the accessory-structure height provisions referenced by the code.
• Parking: parking depends on the applicable district; the code allows one legal on-street space to substitute for a required off-street space when the City Engineer approves it.

The code also includes architectural compatibility standards for residential ADUs.

Clearwater Community Development Code — Article 2

Do Not Apply One Rule to Every Clearwater Parcel

Downtown and certain nonresidential zoning contexts contain separate accessory-dwelling standards. For example, some Downtown standards use a percentage of the principal use rather than the residential 750 sq ft rule.

For a project:

1. identify the exact zoning district;
2. determine which ADU approval standard applies;
3. verify setbacks, height, parking, density, flood, and coastal constraints;
4. confirm the interpretation with Clearwater Planning & Development before final design.

Clearwater Planning & Development

Clearwater Maps & GIS

Florida State-Law Context

Florida Statutes §163.31771 allows local governments to adopt ADU ordinances but does not itself impose a statewide ADU entitlement. Clearwater's permission comes from its local Community Development Code.

Florida Statutes §163.31771

Disclaimer: Verify current parcel-specific zoning, flood, coastal, and building requirements with the City before relying on these standards for construction.