Zoning Guide

ADU Rules in Jacksonville, Florida

Last updated: Verified:

Jacksonville's current accessory dwelling unit standards are codified in §656.403(g) of the Jacksonville Zoning Code.

The previous version of this page contained repeated statewide text and generic ADU dimensions that did not match Jacksonville's current ordinance. Those values have been removed.

Core Jacksonville ADU Standards

Under §656.403(g):

  • the ADU must be behind the primary structure;
  • the ADU must have a visual relationship to the main house;
  • the building footprint is limited to 25% of the gross floor area of the principal structure or 750 sq ft, whichever is less;
  • an ADU may not be located in a required yard;
  • height is controlled by the applicable accessory-structure provisions of §656.403;
  • the property must have an existing Duval County homestead exemption, or meet the requirements and have applied for one; and
  • the ADU must be accessory to a conforming single-family dwelling.

Jacksonville Code §656.403

Attached and Detached ADUs

Jacksonville's current code contemplates both attached and detached ADUs.

If the ADU is attached to the principal structure, §656.403(g) requires it to be physically separated so that there is no direct internal access between the primary dwelling and the ADU.

Owner / Homestead Requirement

The current code uses a homestead-exemption test rather than the simplified wording previously used on this site.

The property must:

  1. already be subject to a Duval County homestead exemption; or
  2. qualify for the exemption and have an application pending with the Property Appraiser.

Duval County Property Appraiser — Homestead Exemption

Rental Rules

The current §656.403(g) text reviewed for this update does not contain the former site's generic statement that every ADU has a seven-day minimum rental period. That claim has therefore been removed from this page.

Other Jacksonville rules governing rental use may still apply independently.

Parcel and Permit Checks

Before designing an ADU:

  1. confirm the parcel and zoning in JaxGIS;
  2. confirm that the principal single-family dwelling is conforming;
  3. apply §656.403(g) and the underlying district's yard/height standards;
  4. check flood-zone and Florida Building Code requirements; and
  5. verify permit requirements with Jacksonville Planning & Development.

JaxGIS Duval Property Map

Jacksonville Planning & Development

Florida State-Law Context

Florida Statutes §163.31771 is permissive rather than a statewide ADU mandate. Jacksonville's ADU entitlement comes from its own local zoning code.

Disclaimer: Verify the current code and parcel-specific conditions before relying on this page for a project.

More about Jacksonville Zoning

Building Permits — Cost & TimelineSetbacks & Height Limits

Sources

  1. Jacksonville Code §656.403 — Accessory uses, structures and ADUs·library.municode.com·Accessed 2026-09-20·Direct link
  2. City of Jacksonville Planning & Development·jacksonville.gov·Accessed 2026-09-20·Direct link
  3. Duval County Property Appraiser — Homestead Exemption·jacksonville.gov·Accessed 2026-09-20·Direct link
  4. Florida Statutes §163.31771 — Accessory dwelling units·flsenate.gov·Accessed 2026-09-20·Direct link

FAQ

Are ADUs allowed in Jacksonville, Florida?
Yes. Jacksonville Code §656.403(g) allows ADUs as accessory uses subject to the section's criteria and a conforming single-family principal dwelling.
How large can a Jacksonville ADU be?
The ADU building footprint is limited to 25% of the gross floor area of the principal structure or 750 square feet, whichever is less.
Where can a Jacksonville ADU be located?
It must be behind the primary structure and may not be located in a required yard. Attached and detached ADUs are both contemplated by §656.403(g); an attached ADU must be physically separated from the main dwelling without direct internal access.
Does Jacksonville require owner occupancy?
The current code uses a homestead-exemption condition: the property must already have a Duval County homestead exemption or meet the requirements and have applied for one. This page does not convert that condition into a more specific claim about which unit the owner must occupy.