Zoning Guide

ADU Rules in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Last updated: Verified:

Fort Lauderdale regulates accessory dwellings under ULDR §47-19.2. Florida Statutes §163.31771 is permissive: it says a local government may adopt an ordinance allowing accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas; it is not a statewide by-right mandate.

Where Accessory Dwellings Are Allowed

ULDR §47-19.2 lists the following zoning districts for accessory dwellings when they are accessory to a standard single-family dwelling:

  • RS-8
  • RD-15
  • RC-15
  • RM-15
  • RML-25
  • RMM-25
  • RMH-25
  • RMH-60

The same section contains an additional limitation for RS-8 and RD-15: an accessory dwelling occupied by a person other than immediate family is limited to servant's quarters for a person employed on the premises.

Size and Configuration

The current ULDR states:

  • Maximum floor area: 600 gross square feet or 49% of the gross floor area of the principal structure, whichever is less.
  • Layout: one bedroom/one bath or an efficiency.
  • Quantity: no more than one accessory dwelling per single-family lot.
  • Parking: must comply with ULDR §47-20.

These are citywide use limitations. Other zoning, building, flood, coastal, and site-specific requirements can still apply to a particular parcel.

Check the Property First

Use the City's official Property Reporter GIS to confirm the parcel's zoning before relying on this summary:

Open Fort Lauderdale Property Reporter

For permitted uses and zoning questions, use the City's current Zoning Services page and the Unified Land Development Code.

Fort Lauderdale Zoning Services

Fort Lauderdale Unified Land Development Code

Contact

City of Fort Lauderdale Development Services
700 NW 19th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Zoning: 954-828-6520, option 4

Disclaimer: Verify the current zoning district, site conditions, and permit requirements with the City before designing or constructing an accessory dwelling.

More about Fort Lauderdale Zoning

Sources

  1. Fort Lauderdale ULDR §47-19.2 — Accessory dwellings·library.municode.com·Accessed 2026-09-19·Direct link
  2. City of Fort Lauderdale Zoning Services·fortlauderdale.gov·Accessed 2026-09-19·Direct link
  3. Florida Statutes §163.31771 — Accessory dwelling units·flsenate.gov·Accessed 2026-09-19·Direct link

FAQ

Are accessory dwellings allowed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Yes, but only under the limitations in ULDR §47-19.2. The code lists RS-8, RD-15, RC-15, RM-15, RML-25, RMM-25, RMH-25, and RMH-60 as eligible zoning districts when the accessory dwelling is accessory to a standard single-family dwelling.
How large can an accessory dwelling be in Fort Lauderdale?
ULDR §47-19.2 limits an accessory dwelling to 600 gross square feet or 49% of the gross floor area of the principal structure, whichever is less, and limits a single-family lot to one accessory dwelling.