What ADU can you build in your Crestview 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
Crestview ADU rules at a glance
- Max ADU size
Up to 900 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 Crestview, Florida
We've researched Crestview'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 ADU permitted in R-1E, R-1, R-2, R-3, and MU districts
- Capped at 900 sq ft or 40% of the home, whichever is greater
- No owner-occupancy requirement
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Crestview — here's how to do it right.
What Crestview's zoning may allow for an ADU
Crestview allows a rentable accessory dwelling unit in its R-1E, R-1, R-2, R-3, and MU districts, capped at 900 sq ft or 40% of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater. Owner-occupancy is not required.
Zoning allowance
An accessory dwelling unit is permitted in the R-1E, R-1, R-2, R-3, and MU districts (LDC §7.03.00, effective 2021).
Size limits
The ADU 'shall not exceed 900 square feet or forty (40) percent' of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater (LDC §7.03.00).
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
The unit may be rented; no owner-occupancy requirement appears in the section (LDC §7.03.00).
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 Crestview 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:900 sq ft or 40% (lesser)
- Detached Allowed?Check with city
Rental Rules
No Owner-Occupancy Requirement: Both units can be rented to tenants simultaneously.
Short-term rental rules vary — confirm with Crestview 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 Crestview permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Crestview 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:
- Crestview 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:
- Crestview 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:
- Crestview 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
Crestview neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Crestview ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Crestview homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Crestview, Florida?
An accessory dwelling unit is permitted in the R-1E, R-1, R-2, R-3, and MU districts (LDC §7.03.00, effective 2021).
What is the maximum ADU size in Crestview?
The ADU 'shall not exceed 900 square feet or forty (40) percent' of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater (LDC §7.03.00).
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Crestview?
Crestview does not require owner-occupancy. Both the primary home and ADU can be rented to tenants simultaneously.
Can I use my Crestview ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Crestview Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Crestview?
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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More Okaloosa County ADU Guides
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.