What ADU can you build in your Bonita Springs 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
Bonita Springs ADU rules at a glance
- Max ADU size
Up to 500 sq ft, and smaller than your main home - 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 Bonita Springs, Florida
We've researched Bonita Springs'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.
- Rentable 'accessory apartment' — detached max 500 sq ft or 50% of the main home, whichever is less (LDC §4-929)
- Corrects an unsourced 1,200 sq ft figure
- Minimum lot 6,000 sq ft; no owner-occupancy requirement found
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Bonita Springs — here's how to do it right.
What Bonita Springs's zoning may allow for an ADU
Bonita Springs allows a rentable 'accessory apartment' subordinate to a single-family home, but the size cap is far smaller than commonly cited: a detached unit is limited to 500 sq ft (or 50% of the main home, whichever is less). Minimum lot is 6,000 sq ft; owner-occupancy is not required. (This corrects an unsourced 1,200 sq ft figure.)
Zoning allowance
An 'accessory apartment' — a rentable unit subordinate to a single-family dwelling — is permitted under Bonita Springs LDC §4-929, either by right or by special exception depending on the district; one per qualifying lot (min 6,000 sq ft).
Size limits
A detached accessory apartment may not exceed 500 sq ft or 50% of the main dwelling, whichever is less; an attached unit may be up to 50% of the main dwelling (LDC §4-929). This corrects an unsourced 1,200 sq ft figure previously on file.
Lot + setbacks
Setbacks, lot coverage, and minimum lot size for an accessory dwelling vary by zoning district. Confirm the exact figures with the jurisdiction's planning department (see the verified size and district notes above).
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
The accessory apartment is expressly 'available for rent or lease' (LDC §4-929). No owner-occupancy requirement appears in the section. (A separate 'guest house' is non-rental, family/nonpaying-guest only — do not confuse the two.)
Permit process
An accessory dwelling is permitted through the jurisdiction's standard building-permit / zoning-review process. Contact the local planning or building department for current requirements.
ADU Size Calculator (50% formula, 500 sq ft cap)
| Primary Home Size | Max ADU Size |
|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | 500 sq ft |
| 1,800 sq ft | 500 sq ft |
| 1,000 sq ft (cap triggers) | 500 sq ft (max) |
Whichever is smaller: 50% of primary OR 500 sq ft hard cap. detached: 500 sq ft or 50% of the main dwelling, whichever is less; attached: up to 50% of the main dwelling; min lot 6,000 sq ft
Building limits and rental rules, side by side
These figures are based on the best available data for Bonita Springs 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:500 sq ft or 50% (lesser)
- Detached Allowed?Check with city
Rental Rules
Short-term rental rules vary — confirm with Bonita Springs 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 Bonita Springs permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Bonita Springs 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:
- Bonita Springs 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:
- Bonita Springs 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:
- Bonita Springs 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
Bonita Springs neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Bonita Springs ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Bonita Springs homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Bonita Springs, Florida?
An 'accessory apartment' — a rentable unit subordinate to a single-family dwelling — is permitted under Bonita Springs LDC §4-929, either by right or by special exception depending on the district; one per qualifying lot (min 6,000 sq ft).
What is the maximum ADU size in Bonita Springs?
A detached accessory apartment may not exceed 500 sq ft or 50% of the main dwelling, whichever is less; an attached unit may be up to 50% of the main dwelling (LDC §4-929). This corrects an unsourced 1,200 sq ft figure previously on file.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Bonita Springs?
The accessory apartment is expressly 'available for rent or lease' (LDC §4-929). No owner-occupancy requirement appears in the section. (A separate 'guest house' is non-rental, family/nonpaying-guest only — do not confuse the two.)
Can I use my Bonita Springs ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Bonita Springs Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Bonita Springs?
An accessory dwelling is permitted through the jurisdiction's standard building-permit / zoning-review 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.