What ADU can you build in your Fort Lauderdale 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
Fort Lauderdale ADU rules at a glance
- Max ADU size
Up to 600 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 Fort Lauderdale, Florida
We've researched Fort Lauderdale'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.
- Accessory dwelling up to 600 sq ft or 49% of the main structure, whichever is less; 1BR/efficiency (ULDR §47-19.2.A)
- Allowed in RC-15/RM-15/RML-25/RMM-25/RMH-25/RMH-60; RS-8 & RD-15 allow only servants' quarters
- Code is silent on owner-occupancy and renting — confirm with the city
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Fort Lauderdale — here's how to do it right.
What Fort Lauderdale's zoning may allow for an ADU
Fort Lauderdale permits an 'accessory dwelling' (granny flat) accessory to a single-family home, capped at 600 sq ft or 49% of the main structure (whichever is less), one per lot, as a 1-bedroom or efficiency. In the RS-8 and RD-15 districts only servants' quarters are allowed. The code is silent on owner-occupancy and renting.
Zoning allowance
An accessory dwelling is permitted accessory to a single-family home in Fort Lauderdale's RC-15, RM-15, RML-25, RMM-25, RMH-25 and RMH-60 districts (ULDR §47-19.2.A); in RS-8 and RD-15 only servants' quarters for employed persons are allowed.
Size limits
A Fort Lauderdale accessory dwelling may not exceed 600 sq ft or 49% of the principal structure's gross floor area, whichever is less, and is limited to a one-bedroom unit or efficiency; one per single-family lot (ULDR §47-19.2.A). Parcel minimums vary by district (e.g. RC-15/RM-15 = 5,808 sq ft).
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
ULDR §47-19.2 does not state an owner-occupancy requirement and does not address long-term renting of the accessory dwelling; short-term/vacation rentals are governed separately (§47-18). Confirm rental treatment with the city.
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.
ADU Size Calculator (49% formula, 600 sq ft cap)
| Primary Home Size | Max ADU Size |
|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | 588 sq ft |
| 1,800 sq ft | 600 sq ft |
| 1,300 sq ft (cap triggers) | 600 sq ft (max) |
Whichever is smaller: 49% of primary OR 600 sq ft hard cap. 600 sq ft or 49% of the principal structure, whichever is less; 1BR/1BA or efficiency; one per lot. In RS-8/RD-15 only servants' quarters are allowed
Building limits and rental rules, side by side
These figures are based on the best available data for Fort Lauderdale 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:600 sq ft or 49% (lesser)
- Detached Allowed?Check with city
Rental Rules
Short-term rental rules vary — confirm with Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Fort Lauderdale 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:
- Fort Lauderdale 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:
- Fort Lauderdale 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:
- Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale
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 Fort Lauderdale Planning before relying on this — most homeowners can check their zone at the county GIS portal in a few minutes.
Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Fort Lauderdale ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Fort Lauderdale homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
An accessory dwelling is permitted accessory to a single-family home in Fort Lauderdale's RC-15, RM-15, RML-25, RMM-25, RMH-25 and RMH-60 districts (ULDR §47-19.2.A); in RS-8 and RD-15 only servants' quarters for employed persons are allowed.
What is the maximum ADU size in Fort Lauderdale?
A Fort Lauderdale accessory dwelling may not exceed 600 sq ft or 49% of the principal structure's gross floor area, whichever is less, and is limited to a one-bedroom unit or efficiency; one per single-family lot (ULDR §47-19.2.A). Parcel minimums vary by district (e.g. RC-15/RM-15 = 5,808 sq ft).
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Fort Lauderdale?
ULDR §47-19.2 does not state an owner-occupancy requirement and does not address long-term renting of the accessory dwelling; short-term/vacation rentals are governed separately (§47-18). Confirm rental treatment with the city.
Can I use my Fort Lauderdale ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Fort Lauderdale Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Fort Lauderdale?
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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Serving homeowners in 33301, 33304, 33305, 33306, 33308, 33309, 33311, 33312, 33313, 33315, 33316 and surrounding Fort Lauderdale zip codes.
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.