What ADU can you build in your Destin 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
Destin ADU rules at a glance
- Max ADU size
Up to 1,200 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 Destin, Florida
We've researched Destin'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, capped at 1,200 sq ft
- May be rented separately where the district's density allows
- Owner must occupy one of the units
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Destin — here's how to do it right.
What Destin's zoning may allow for an ADU
Destin allows a rentable accessory dwelling unit capped at 1,200 sq ft. Owner-occupancy is required, and the ADU may be rented separately where the district's density allows it.
Zoning allowance
An accessory dwelling unit is permitted subordinate to a single-family home (LDC §7.09.04, Ord. 23-10-LC), and may be rented separately if the underlying district's density permits.
Size limits
The 'maximum gross floor area … shall be 1,200 square feet' (LDC §7.09.04).
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 is rentable, including separately from the main home where density allows; the property owner must occupy one of the units (LDC §7.09.04).
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.
Building limits and rental rules, side by side
These figures are based on the best available data for Destin 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:1,200 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 rental rules vary — confirm with Destin 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 Destin permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Destin 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:
- Destin 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:
- Destin 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:
- Destin 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
Destin neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Destin ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Destin homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Destin, Florida?
An accessory dwelling unit is permitted subordinate to a single-family home (LDC §7.09.04, Ord. 23-10-LC), and may be rented separately if the underlying district's density permits.
What is the maximum ADU size in Destin?
The 'maximum gross floor area … shall be 1,200 square feet' (LDC §7.09.04).
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Destin?
Destin requires owner-occupancy — you must live in either the primary home or the ADU.
Can I use my Destin ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Destin Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Destin?
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.