What ADU can you build in your Homestead 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
Homestead 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 Homestead, Florida
We've researched Homestead'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.
- Single-family districts (A-1/A-2/R-1) allow only incidental accessory buildings — no independent ADU
- 'Accessory garage apartment'/'guesthouse' is a listed use only in certain mixed-use/business districts
- No 900 sq ft ADU cap exists (that figure is unsupported)
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Homestead — here's how to do it right.
What Homestead's zoning may allow for an ADU
Homestead's single-family and estate districts (A-1, A-2, R-1) do not permit an independent second dwelling — only accessory buildings incidental to the main home (capped at 5% of net land area). An 'accessory (garage) apartment' or 'guesthouse' is a listed use only in certain mixed-use/business districts. There is no 900 sq ft ADU cap (that figure is unsupported).
Zoning allowance
In Homestead's A-1/A-2/R-1 single-family districts, only accessory buildings 'incidental to each single family residence' are allowed — not an independent dwelling (Code §30-82, §30-112). An 'accessory (garage) apartment' and 'guesthouses/tourist homes' appear as listed uses only in certain mixed-us
Size limits
No 900 sq ft ADU cap exists in Homestead's code. Accessory buildings in single-family districts are capped at 5% of the remaining net land area (§30-82(1)/§30-112(1)); the mixed-use garage-apartment/guesthouse uses have no stated square-foot cap in the sections reviewed.
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
Homestead's code is silent on owner-occupancy and renting for the accessory garage apartment/guesthouse uses. In single-family districts no independent (rentable) unit is permitted. Confirm district-specific rules 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.
Building limits and rental rules, side by side
These figures are based on the best available data for Homestead 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 Homestead 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 Homestead permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Homestead 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:
- Homestead 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:
- Homestead 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:
- Homestead 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 Homestead
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 Homestead Planning before relying on this — most homeowners can check their zone at the county GIS portal in a few minutes.
Homestead neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Homestead ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Homestead homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Homestead, Florida?
In Homestead's A-1/A-2/R-1 single-family districts, only accessory buildings 'incidental to each single family residence' are allowed — not an independent dwelling (Code §30-82, §30-112). An 'accessory (garage) apartment' and 'guesthouses/tourist homes' appear as listed uses only in certain mixed-use/business districts (e.g. BMU §30-396.501); some require a public hearing (§30-397).
What is the maximum ADU size in Homestead?
No 900 sq ft ADU cap exists in Homestead's code. Accessory buildings in single-family districts are capped at 5% of the remaining net land area (§30-82(1)/§30-112(1)); the mixed-use garage-apartment/guesthouse uses have no stated square-foot cap in the sections reviewed.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Homestead?
Homestead's code is silent on owner-occupancy and renting for the accessory garage apartment/guesthouse uses. In single-family districts no independent (rentable) unit is permitted. Confirm district-specific rules with the city.
Can I use my Homestead ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Homestead Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Homestead?
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.