What ADU can you build in your Davenport 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
Davenport 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 Davenport, Florida
We've researched Davenport'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.
- ADU is defined (Ord. 1396, eff. 3-2-26) but has no ADU-specific size or rental standard yet
- The only accessory dwelling in the use schedule is a caretaker dwelling in commercial districts
- A rentable independent residential ADU is not established — confirm with the city
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Davenport — here's how to do it right.
What Davenport's zoning may allow for an ADU
Davenport's Land Development Regulations define an accessory dwelling unit (added via Ord. 1396, effective March 2, 2026) but do not yet set any ADU-specific size, rental, or owner-occupancy standard. The only accessory dwelling named in the use schedule is a caretaker/watchman dwelling in commercial and industrial districts. Because a rentable independent ADU is not established for residential lots, treat as a manual check.
Zoning allowance
The ULDR defines an accessory dwelling unit as a detached, incidental, subordinate single-family unit on the same lot, but does not list it as a permitted use with standards in the residential districts; the only accessory dwelling in the use schedule is a caretaker/watchman dwelling in commercial/i
Size limits
No ADU-specific size standard exists. A detached accessory structure in the residential districts is capped by Table 3.09.00(A) — 720 sq ft (R-1 through R-5) or 1,200 sq ft (AG, RE-1, RE-2), or 50% of the principal structure, whichever is less — but it is not established that a rentable independent
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
Whether a rentable independent accessory dwelling is permitted on residential lots is not established in the code. Confirm directly with the City of Davenport before relying on any figure.
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 Davenport 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 Davenport 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 Davenport permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Davenport 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:
- Davenport 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:
- Davenport 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:
- Davenport 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
Davenport neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Davenport ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Davenport homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Davenport, Florida?
The ULDR defines an accessory dwelling unit as a detached, incidental, subordinate single-family unit on the same lot, but does not list it as a permitted use with standards in the residential districts; the only accessory dwelling in the use schedule is a caretaker/watchman dwelling in commercial/industrial districts (ULDR, Ord. 1396).
What is the maximum ADU size in Davenport?
No ADU-specific size standard exists. A detached accessory structure in the residential districts is capped by Table 3.09.00(A) — 720 sq ft (R-1 through R-5) or 1,200 sq ft (AG, RE-1, RE-2), or 50% of the principal structure, whichever is less — but it is not established that a rentable independent dwelling is permitted at that size.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Davenport?
Whether a rentable independent accessory dwelling is permitted on residential lots is not established in the code. Confirm directly with the City of Davenport before relying on any figure.
Can I use my Davenport ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Davenport Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Davenport?
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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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.