What ADU can you build in your Delray 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
Delray Beach 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 Delray Beach, Florida
We've researched Delray 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.
- True ADU only in the NW/SW Neighborhood Overlay — not citywide (LDR §4.3.3(Q), Ord. 12-26)
- Overlay ADU: 220–750 sq ft, owner-occupied, workforce-housing lease only, no short-term rental
- Elsewhere: only a non-rentable 700 sq ft guest cottage
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Delray Beach — here's how to do it right.
What Delray Beach's zoning may allow for an ADU
Delray Beach permits a true ADU only inside the Northwest/Southwest Neighborhood Overlay — not citywide (Ord. 12-26). Where allowed, it is 220–750 sq ft, owner-occupied, leasable only as deed-restricted workforce housing, and short-term rentals are barred. Elsewhere in the city, only a non-rentable 700 sq ft guest cottage is allowed.
Zoning allowance
Delray Beach's ADU use (LDR §4.3.3(Q), Ord. 12-26) is permitted in R-1/RM/CBD only within the Northwest/Southwest Neighborhood Overlay District — there is no citywide ADU allowance. A separate citywide 'guest cottage' (≤700 sq ft) is a non-rentable accessory use.
Size limits
In the NW/SW Overlay a Delray Beach ADU is 220 sq ft minimum to 750 sq ft maximum, up to 2 bedrooms (LDR §4.3.3(Q)). The citywide guest cottage is capped at 700 sq ft and 1/20th of the lot (LDR §4.3.3(Q)(2)).
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
In the overlay, a homesteaded owner (or family member) must reside on site, and the ADU 'may only be leased as workforce housing'; short-term/vacation rentals are prohibited (LDR §4.3.3(Q)). The citywide guest cottage is non-rentable (family/nonpaying guests only). So citywide, most addresses cannot
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 Delray 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:750 sq ft
- 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 Delray Beach.
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 Delray Beach permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Delray 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:
- Delray 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:
- Delray 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:
- Delray 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
Eligible Zones in Delray Beach
ADUs may be permitted in these zoning districts, but eligibility depends on your specific parcel and the current local ordinance. Confirm your parcel and rules with Delray Beach Planning before relying on this — most homeowners can check their zone at the county GIS portal in a few minutes.
Delray Beach neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Delray Beach ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Delray Beach homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Delray Beach, Florida?
Delray Beach's ADU use (LDR §4.3.3(Q), Ord. 12-26) is permitted in R-1/RM/CBD only within the Northwest/Southwest Neighborhood Overlay District — there is no citywide ADU allowance. A separate citywide 'guest cottage' (≤700 sq ft) is a non-rentable accessory use.
What is the maximum ADU size in Delray Beach?
In the NW/SW Overlay a Delray Beach ADU is 220 sq ft minimum to 750 sq ft maximum, up to 2 bedrooms (LDR §4.3.3(Q)). The citywide guest cottage is capped at 700 sq ft and 1/20th of the lot (LDR §4.3.3(Q)(2)).
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Delray Beach?
Delray Beach requires owner-occupancy — you must live in either the primary home or the ADU.
Can I use my Delray Beach ADU as an Airbnb?
Short-term rentals under 30 days are prohibited in Delray Beach. The minimum rental period is 30 days.
How do I get an ADU permit in Delray 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.