What ADU can you build in your Lake Wales 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 Wales 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 Lake Wales, Florida
We've researched Lake Wales'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 accessory unit (apartment/guesthouse) allowed at a single-family home
- Sized 450 sq ft up to 50% of the main dwelling's living area; no owner-occupancy
- Code is inconsistent on permit type (conditional use vs. special exception) — confirm with the city
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Lake Wales — here's how to do it right.
What Lake Wales's zoning may allow for an ADU
Lake Wales allows a rentable 'accessory unit' (apartment or guesthouse) at a single-family home, sized between 450 sq ft and 50% of the main dwelling's living area. No owner-occupancy is required and the code imposes no rental restriction. The permitting pathway is internally inconsistent in the code (one table shows it as a permitted/conditional use, another requires a special exception) — confirm the process with the city.
Zoning allowance
An accessory unit (apartment or guesthouse) is provided for at single-family residences. The code is internally inconsistent on process: Table 23-421 lists it as a permitted/conditional use (P*) in the residential districts, while Table 23-521 requires a special-exception permit. Confirm with the La
Size limits
The accessory unit's living floor area 'shall be a minimum of 450 square feet and shall not exceed 50 percent of the living floor area of the principal dwelling' (Table 23-521). There is no flat square-foot maximum — the cap is 50% of the main home.
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 owner-occupancy requirement and no rental restriction appear in Chapter 23 for an accessory unit (§§23-521, 23-522, 23-802). The code neither expressly permits nor bars renting it.
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 Wales 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
No Owner-Occupancy Requirement: Both units can be rented to tenants simultaneously.
Short-term rental rules vary — confirm with Lake Wales 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 Wales permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Lake Wales 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 Wales 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 Wales 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 Wales 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 Wales neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Lake Wales ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Lake Wales homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Lake Wales, Florida?
An accessory unit (apartment or guesthouse) is provided for at single-family residences. The code is internally inconsistent on process: Table 23-421 lists it as a permitted/conditional use (P*) in the residential districts, while Table 23-521 requires a special-exception permit. Confirm with the Lake Wales Planning Division.
What is the maximum ADU size in Lake Wales?
The accessory unit's living floor area 'shall be a minimum of 450 square feet and shall not exceed 50 percent of the living floor area of the principal dwelling' (Table 23-521). There is no flat square-foot maximum — the cap is 50% of the main home.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Lake Wales?
Lake Wales does not require owner-occupancy. Both the primary home and ADU can be rented to tenants simultaneously.
Can I use my Lake Wales ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Lake Wales Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Lake Wales?
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.