What ADU can you build in your Cocoa Beach 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 Beach ADU rules at a glance
- Max ADU size
Up to 800 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 Cocoa Beach, Florida
We've researched Cocoa Beach'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.
- One accessory dwelling per lot — up to 35% of the home's A/C space, max 800 sq ft (LDC §3-33(O))
- Setbacks same as the principal structure
- Code is silent on owner-occupancy and renting — confirm with the city
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Cocoa Beach — here's how to do it right.
What Cocoa Beach's zoning may allow for an ADU
Cocoa Beach permits one accessory dwelling per lot on residentially-zoned property, capped at 35% of the principal home's air-conditioned space up to a maximum of 800 sq ft. Setbacks match the principal structure. The code does not address owner-occupancy or renting.
Zoning allowance
One accessory dwelling may be built per lot on any residentially-zoned property in Cocoa Beach's standard zoning districts, subject to §3-33 accessory-structure standards (LDC §2-18, §3-33(O)).
Size limits
A Cocoa Beach accessory dwelling may be up to 35% of the principal structure's air-conditioned space, to a maximum of 800 sq ft (LDC §3-33(O)(4)). Setbacks and building requirements are the same as for the principal structure; citywide height limit is 45 ft.
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
Cocoa Beach's ADU standards (§3-33(O)) do not state an owner-occupancy requirement or address renting; a detached unit counts against the district's density. Short-term/vacation rentals are governed separately (Chapter 26.5). Confirm rental treatment with the city.
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 (35% formula, 800 sq ft cap)
| Primary Home Size | Max ADU Size |
|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | 420 sq ft |
| 1,800 sq ft | 630 sq ft |
| 2,300 sq ft (cap triggers) | 800 sq ft (max) |
Whichever is smaller: 35% of primary OR 800 sq ft hard cap. up to 35% of the principal structure's air-conditioned space, max 800 sq ft; one per lot; setbacks same as the principal structure
Building limits and rental rules, side by side
These figures are based on the best available data for Cocoa Beach 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:800 sq ft or 35% (lesser)
- Detached Allowed?Check with city
Rental Rules
Short-term rental rules vary — confirm with Cocoa Beach 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 Beach permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Cocoa Beach 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 Beach 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 Beach 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 Beach 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 Beach neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Cocoa Beach ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Cocoa Beach homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Cocoa Beach, Florida?
One accessory dwelling may be built per lot on any residentially-zoned property in Cocoa Beach's standard zoning districts, subject to §3-33 accessory-structure standards (LDC §2-18, §3-33(O)).
What is the maximum ADU size in Cocoa Beach?
A Cocoa Beach accessory dwelling may be up to 35% of the principal structure's air-conditioned space, to a maximum of 800 sq ft (LDC §3-33(O)(4)). Setbacks and building requirements are the same as for the principal structure; citywide height limit is 45 ft.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Cocoa Beach?
Cocoa Beach's ADU standards (§3-33(O)) do not state an owner-occupancy requirement or address renting; a detached unit counts against the district's density. Short-term/vacation rentals are governed separately (Chapter 26.5). Confirm rental treatment with the city.
Can I use my Cocoa Beach ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Cocoa Beach Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Cocoa Beach?
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.