ADU Rules in Orlando, Florida

Orlando publishes a detailed official Accessory Dwelling Units Step-by-Step Guide. The City's rules depend on zoning category, lot size, building configuration, historic status, and other site conditions.

Florida Statutes §163.31771 itself is permissive: it says a local government may adopt an ADU ordinance. Orlando's local Land Development Code and adopted standards control local eligibility.

ADU Types

Orlando's guide recognizes ADUs that are:

• attached to the main dwelling;
• detached as a separate structure;
• a converted garage or unit above a garage; or
• a separated unit within the main dwelling.

Maximum Size and Lot Eligibility

Orlando does not use one universal maximum size for every property.

The City's current guide provides zoning-specific minimum lot sizes for ADUs up to 500 sq ft and, in qualifying zones/lots, up to 1,000 sq ft.

Important limits include:

• Every ADU must be smaller than the main dwelling.
• In a Historic District, the maximum ADU size is 700 sq ft, with historic-review requirements.
• Residential properties in the Lake Nona PD are eligible for one 1,000 sq ft ADU regardless of lot size.
• The house plus ADU generally may not exceed 0.50 FAR; the City's guide identifies an exception for the Lake Nona PD.

Use the City's table for the exact minimum lot size associated with your zoning district.

Parking

The official guide states:

• the main house must have one parking space behind the front-yard setback; and
• an ADU larger than 500 sq ft requires an additional parking space.

Setbacks

Setbacks depend on the ADU configuration:

• an attached ADU follows principal-structure standards;
• a detached ADU, including a garage apartment, follows accessory-structure standards;
• larger ADUs in R-2, R-3, MXD and O districts can trigger tandem or duplex development standards.

Properties in a Planned Development should be confirmed directly with City Planning.

Waterbody Setbacks

For a property abutting a waterbody, the City's guide states:

• a detached ADU must be at least 15 ft from the normal high-water elevation or wetland boundary and has a maximum height of 12 ft in that circumstance;
• an attached ADU must meet the principal-structure 50 ft setback.

These waterbody rules should not be mistaken for the general setback or height standards for every Orlando ADU.

Rentals

The City states that an ADU may be rented through a standard residential lease. A short-term rental of less than 30 days requires separate registration.

Official Guide

City of Orlando — ADU Step-by-Step Guide

Orlando Land Development Code — Chapter 58

City Planning: 407-246-2269

Disclaimer: Verify the parcel's zoning, lot size, overlays, and current permit requirements with City Planning before designing an ADU.