What ADU can you build in your Coral Gables 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
Coral Gables ADU rules at a glance
- Owner-occupancy
Required — you must live on the property - Short-term rentals
Restricted — long-term rentals only in most zones - Where it's allowed
Eligibility varies by zoning district — check your address to confirm yours
ADU Rules in Coral Gables, Florida
We've researched Coral Gables'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 ADU — accessory dwelling (SFR) is above-garage, no kitchen, family/employees only (§3-302)
- Guesthouse ≤600 sq ft, non-paying guests only; cabana ≤100 sq ft, no living quarters
- The unsourced 800 sq ft cap does not exist in the code
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Coral Gables — here's how to do it right.
What Coral Gables's zoning may allow for an ADU
Coral Gables does not permit a rentable ADU. Its 'accessory dwelling' (SFR district) must be above a garage, contain no kitchen, and house only family or employees; its 'guesthouse' (up to 600 sq ft) is for non-paying guests only and the owner may not rent the main house and live in it. There is no 800 sq ft rentable ADU.
Zoning allowance
Coral Gables allows an 'accessory dwelling' in the Single-Family Residential district only, above a garage, with no kitchen, for family or employed persons (Zoning Code §3-302); a 'guesthouse' accessory to a Residential Estate; and a 'cabana' (no living/sleeping quarters). None is an independent ren
Size limits
The accessory dwelling has no stated square-foot cap (limited functionally: above-garage, no kitchen). A guesthouse may not exceed 600 sq ft or 10% of the main building's ground area, whichever is greater (§3-305); a cabana may not exceed 100 sq ft (§3-304). No 800 sq ft figure exists in the code.
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
Not rentable: a guesthouse may be occupied 'only [by] non-paying and personal guests,' and 'the owner of the property shall not be permitted to live in the guesthouse and rent the principal residence' (§3-305). The accessory dwelling has no kitchen and is limited to family/employees.
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.
Building limits and rental rules, side by side
These figures are based on the best available data for Coral Gables 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
Owner-Occupancy Required: You must live in either the primary home or the ADU.
Short-Term Rentals Prohibited: Minimum 30-day stay required in Coral Gables.
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 Coral Gables permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Coral Gables 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:
- Coral Gables 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:
- Coral Gables 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:
- Coral Gables 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
Coral Gables neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Coral Gables ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Coral Gables homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Coral Gables, Florida?
Coral Gables allows an 'accessory dwelling' in the Single-Family Residential district only, above a garage, with no kitchen, for family or employed persons (Zoning Code §3-302); a 'guesthouse' accessory to a Residential Estate; and a 'cabana' (no living/sleeping quarters). None is an independent rentable unit.
What is the maximum ADU size in Coral Gables?
The accessory dwelling has no stated square-foot cap (limited functionally: above-garage, no kitchen). A guesthouse may not exceed 600 sq ft or 10% of the main building's ground area, whichever is greater (§3-305); a cabana may not exceed 100 sq ft (§3-304). No 800 sq ft figure exists in the code.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Coral Gables?
Coral Gables requires owner-occupancy — you must live in either the primary home or the ADU.
Can I use my Coral Gables ADU as an Airbnb?
Short-term rentals under 30 days are prohibited in Coral Gables. The minimum rental period is 30 days.
How do I get an ADU permit in Coral Gables?
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.