What ADU can you build in your Haines City 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
Haines City 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 Haines City, Florida
We've researched Haines City'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.
- No accessory dwelling unit ordinance exists
- Single-family districts allow only one principal dwelling per lot
- A second kitchen makes it a two-family use, not permitted in single-family districts
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Haines City — here's how to do it right.
What Haines City's zoning may allow for an ADU
Haines City has no accessory dwelling unit ordinance. Its single-family districts (R-1 and R-2) allow only one principal dwelling per lot, and adding a second kitchen would convert the property to a two-family use, which those districts do not permit. There is no rentable ADU pathway.
Zoning allowance
The Land Development Regulations contain no ADU use. In the R-1 and R-2 single-family districts only one principal dwelling structure is permitted per lot (LDR §5.2.3), and a habitable accessory structure with independent cooking facilities becomes a second 'dwelling unit' (two-family use), not allo
Size limits
No ADU-specific size limit exists (no ADU use). A 600 sq ft accessory cap in the code applies only to non-habitable structures (sheds, greenhouses, docks), not to a dwelling.
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.
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
No rentable accessory dwelling is permitted in the single-family districts. Short-term rentals are allowed only within a designated STR overlay via a planned unit development or conditional use permit (LDR §5.6.2.5).
Permit process
An accessory dwelling is permitted through the jurisdiction'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 Haines City 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 Haines City 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 Haines City permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Haines City 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:
- Haines City 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:
- Haines City 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:
- Haines City 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
Haines City neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Haines City ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Haines City homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Haines City, Florida?
The Land Development Regulations contain no ADU use. In the R-1 and R-2 single-family districts only one principal dwelling structure is permitted per lot (LDR §5.2.3), and a habitable accessory structure with independent cooking facilities becomes a second 'dwelling unit' (two-family use), not allowed in single-family districts.
What is the maximum ADU size in Haines City?
No ADU-specific size limit exists (no ADU use). A 600 sq ft accessory cap in the code applies only to non-habitable structures (sheds, greenhouses, docks), not to a dwelling.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Haines City?
No rentable accessory dwelling is permitted in the single-family districts. Short-term rentals are allowed only within a designated STR overlay via a planned unit development or conditional use permit (LDR §5.6.2.5).
Can I use my Haines City ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Haines City Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Haines City?
An accessory dwelling is permitted through the jurisdiction'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.