What ADU can you build in your Cocoa 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
Cocoa 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 Cocoa, Florida
We've researched Cocoa'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.
- The City of Cocoa has no accessory dwelling unit ordinance
- Accessory living quarters are prohibited in residential districts
- Do not confuse with Cocoa Beach, which has its own separate rules
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Cocoa — here's how to do it right.
What Cocoa's zoning may allow for an ADU
The City of Cocoa does not have an accessory dwelling unit ordinance. Accessory living quarters are barred in its residential districts (a narrow on-site employee-housing exception aside), so a rentable independent ADU is not a permitted use.
Zoning allowance
Cocoa's zoning code does not provide for accessory dwelling units in residential districts; accessory living quarters are prohibited there except for a limited on-site employee-housing case (Land Development Code, Art. XIII §6).
Size limits
No ADU is permitted, so there is no ADU size allowance.
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
A rentable accessory dwelling is not permitted in residential districts.
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 Cocoa 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 Cocoa 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 Cocoa permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Cocoa 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:
- Cocoa 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:
- Cocoa 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:
- Cocoa 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
Cocoa neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Cocoa ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Cocoa homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Cocoa, Florida?
Cocoa's zoning code does not provide for accessory dwelling units in residential districts; accessory living quarters are prohibited there except for a limited on-site employee-housing case (Land Development Code, Art. XIII §6).
What is the maximum ADU size in Cocoa?
No ADU is permitted, so there is no ADU size allowance.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Cocoa?
A rentable accessory dwelling is not permitted in residential districts.
Can I use my Cocoa ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Cocoa Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Cocoa?
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
Get your free Cocoa ADU Guide
Your personal zoning report + complete Cocoa ADU requirements — delivered free to your email in 60 seconds.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Used by 10,000+ Florida homeowners.
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.