What ADU can you build in your Lake Mary 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
Lake Mary ADU rules at a glance
- 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 Lake Mary, Florida
We've researched Lake Mary'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.
- Garage apartment / guest house allowed by right but family / non-paying-guest only
- Cap = greater of 25% of the principal building or 600 sq ft (garage apartment)
- Neither may be rented — no rentable ADU pathway
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Lake Mary — here's how to do it right.
What Lake Mary's zoning may allow for an ADU
Lake Mary permits a garage apartment or guest house as a by-right accessory structure, but both are limited to housing family members or non-paying guests of the principal dwelling — neither may be rented. There is no rentable ADU pathway.
Zoning allowance
A garage apartment or guest house is a by-right customary accessory structure to a residence (Ch. 154 definitions; §154.14 placement), but only as family/guest quarters, not an independent rentable dwelling.
Size limits
A garage apartment may occupy no more than the greater of 25% of the principal building's floor area (excluding garages/porches) or 600 sq ft; a guest house is capped at 25% of the principal building's floor area (Ch. 154 definitions).
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
Neither may be rented: both must be 'used exclusively for housing members of the family occupying the principal dwelling, or their non-paying guests' (Ch. 154 definitions). This bars any paying tenant, long- or short-term.
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 Lake Mary 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
Owner-Occupancy Required: You must live in either the primary home or the ADU.
Short-term rental rules vary — confirm with Lake Mary 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 Lake Mary permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Lake Mary 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:
- Lake Mary 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:
- Lake Mary 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:
- Lake Mary 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
Lake Mary neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Lake Mary ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Lake Mary homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Lake Mary, Florida?
A garage apartment or guest house is a by-right customary accessory structure to a residence (Ch. 154 definitions; §154.14 placement), but only as family/guest quarters, not an independent rentable dwelling.
What is the maximum ADU size in Lake Mary?
A garage apartment may occupy no more than the greater of 25% of the principal building's floor area (excluding garages/porches) or 600 sq ft; a guest house is capped at 25% of the principal building's floor area (Ch. 154 definitions).
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Lake Mary?
Lake Mary requires owner-occupancy — you must live in either the primary home or the ADU.
Can I use my Lake Mary ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Lake Mary Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Lake Mary?
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.