What ADU can you build in your Deland 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
Deland ADU rules at a glance
- Max ADU size
Up to 800 sq ft, and smaller than your main home - Owner-occupancy
Required — you must live on the property - 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 Deland, Florida
We've researched Deland'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 as a conditional use in single-family / rural districts
- Capped at the lesser of 800 sq ft or 85% of the principal dwelling
- Owner-occupancy required (recorded deed restriction); cannot be sold separately
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Deland — here's how to do it right.
What Deland's zoning may allow for an ADU
DeLand allows a rentable accessory dwelling unit as a conditional use in its single-family and rural residential districts, capped at the lesser of 800 sq ft or 85% of the principal dwelling. Owner-occupancy is required by recorded deed restriction, and the ADU cannot be sold separately.
Zoning allowance
An accessory dwelling unit is a conditional use in the R-R, R-R1, R-1AA, R-1A, R-1B, R-1, R-1C, and E-1 districts; a principal single-family dwelling must exist or be built with it (Code §33-25).
Size limits
The floor area under heat and air 'shall not exceed the lesser of 800 square feet or 85% of the square footage of the principal unit on the lot' (Code §33-25.02(b)). One ADU per parcel.
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 ADU is expressly a rental/income unit, but the owner of record must occupy either the main residence or the ADU as their principal residence, recorded via deed restriction, and the ADU may not be sold separately (Code §33-25.01(a), §33-25.04).
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.
ADU Size Calculator (85% formula, 800 sq ft cap)
| Primary Home Size | Max ADU Size |
|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | 800 sq ft |
| 1,800 sq ft | 800 sq ft |
| 1,000 sq ft (cap triggers) | 800 sq ft (max) |
Whichever is smaller: 85% of primary OR 800 sq ft hard cap. lesser of 800 sq ft or 85% of the principal dwelling; conditional use; owner-occupied
Building limits and rental rules, side by side
These figures are based on the best available data for Deland 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 85% (lesser)
- Detached Allowed?Check with city
Rental Rules
Owner-Occupancy Required: You must live in either the primary home or the ADU.
Short-term rental rules vary — confirm with Deland 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 Deland permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Deland 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:
- Deland 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:
- Deland 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:
- Deland 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
Deland neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Deland ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Deland homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Deland, Florida?
An accessory dwelling unit is a conditional use in the R-R, R-R1, R-1AA, R-1A, R-1B, R-1, R-1C, and E-1 districts; a principal single-family dwelling must exist or be built with it (Code §33-25).
What is the maximum ADU size in Deland?
The floor area under heat and air 'shall not exceed the lesser of 800 square feet or 85% of the square footage of the principal unit on the lot' (Code §33-25.02(b)). One ADU per parcel.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Deland?
Deland requires owner-occupancy — you must live in either the primary home or the ADU.
Can I use my Deland ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Deland Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Deland?
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 Deland ADU Guide
Your personal zoning report + complete Deland ADU requirements — delivered free to your email in 60 seconds.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Used by 10,000+ Florida homeowners.
More Volusia 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.