What ADU can you build in your Auburndale backyard?
Instant zoning report — see exactly what your zoning allows: permitted ADU types, size limits, setbacks, and lot requirements for your specific property.
The quick answer
Auburndale ADU rules at a glance
- Owner-occupancy
Not required — you can rent both units - Short-term rentals
Allowed with local licensing — verify with the city - Where it's allowed
Eligibility varies by zoning district — check your address to confirm yours
ADU Rules in Auburndale, Florida
We've researched Auburndale's ADU rules so you don't have to. Here's what matters most — the facts that determine whether your project is possible, and how much it will cost.
- No rentable accessory dwelling unit is permitted
- Only a family-occupancy 'Senior Adult Flat' is allowed
- That flat is expressly barred from rental use
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Auburndale — here's how to do it right.
What Auburndale's zoning may allow for an ADU
Auburndale does not permit a rentable accessory dwelling unit. Its code allows only a 'Senior Adult Flat' — an accessory unit restricted to family members and expressly barred from rental use.
Zoning allowance
The only accessory living unit provided for is a 'Senior Adult Flat' (LDR §4.2.1.98), limited to housing a family member. A general, rentable accessory dwelling unit is not a permitted use.
Size limits
No rentable ADU is permitted, so no rentable-ADU size is published. The Senior Adult Flat is an accessory family use governed by the underlying district's standards.
Lot + setbacks
Setbacks, lot coverage, and minimum lot size for an accessory dwelling vary by zoning district. Confirm the exact figures with the city's planning department.
Height + coverage
Height and lot-coverage limits vary by zoning district. Confirm current limits with local planning.
Parking
Parking requirements for an accessory dwelling vary by district; typically one additional space. Confirm with local planning.
Rental / occupancy
Rental is prohibited: the Senior Adult Flat 'shall not be … used for rental property' and is limited to family occupancy (LDR §4.2.1.98).
Permit process
An accessory dwelling is permitted through the city's standard zoning-review and building-permit process. Contact the local planning or building department for current requirements.
Building limits and rental rules, side by side
These figures are based on the best available data for Auburndale and should be confirmed with the city's planning department before you commit to a design or a rental strategy — local ordinances change and vary by parcel.
Building Limits
- Max Size:See requirements above
- Detached Allowed?Check with city
Rental Rules
Short-term rental rules vary — confirm with Auburndale Planning.
Here's exactly what you'll pay — and how to avoid the fees that catch most homeowners off guard
Most homeowners spend 3–4 weeks piecing this together on their own. We've mapped the full Auburndale permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Auburndale Planning Department
- What to bring:
- Property address and parcel ID, preliminary site sketch, lot survey
- Timeline:
- No appointment fee — call ahead to confirm office hours
- Cost:
- No fee for initial inquiry
Step 2: Submit Permit Application
- Where:
- Auburndale Planning Department — contact for portal link
- What to bring:
- Architectural plans, site plan, boundary survey, energy compliance docs
- Timeline:
- Contact planning to confirm current review timelines
- Cost:
- Contact planning for current fee schedule
Step 3: Plan Review & Revisions
- Where:
- Auburndale Planning Department
- What to bring:
- Responses to any correction letters; revised drawings if required
- Timeline:
- Plan for one or more review cycles — timeline varies by submission completeness
- Cost:
- No additional fee for standard resubmittal
Step 4: Construction & Inspections
- Where:
- Auburndale Building Department
- What to bring:
- Approved permit set must be on-site at all times during construction
- Timeline:
- Schedule inspections as each phase of work is completed
- Cost:
- Included in permit fee
Auburndale neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Auburndale ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Auburndale homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Auburndale, Florida?
The only accessory living unit provided for is a 'Senior Adult Flat' (LDR §4.2.1.98), limited to housing a family member. A general, rentable accessory dwelling unit is not a permitted use.
What is the maximum ADU size in Auburndale?
No rentable ADU is permitted, so no rentable-ADU size is published. The Senior Adult Flat is an accessory family use governed by the underlying district's standards.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Auburndale?
Rental is prohibited: the Senior Adult Flat 'shall not be … used for rental property' and is limited to family occupancy (LDR §4.2.1.98).
Can I use my Auburndale ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Auburndale Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Auburndale?
An accessory dwelling is permitted through the city's standard zoning-review and building-permit process. Contact the local planning or building department for current requirements.
Nearby Cities — ADU Rules
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This page provides general information based on current ordinances and publicly available data as of 2026-07-15. Zoning rules change — verify all requirements with your local planning department before making financial commitments.