What ADU can you build in your Leesburg 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
Leesburg ADU rules at a glance
- Max ADU size
Up to 800 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 Leesburg, Florida
We've researched Leesburg'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.
- ADU / guest house capped at the smaller of 50% of the home or 800 sq ft, ≤2 bedrooms
- Existing single-family homes need a conditional-use permit; new developments approved on the plat
- No owner-occupancy requirement
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Leesburg — here's how to do it right.
What Leesburg's zoning may allow for an ADU
Leesburg permits an accessory dwelling unit / guest house, capped at the smaller of 50% of the primary residence or 800 sq ft and no more than 2 bedrooms. On an existing single-family lot it requires a conditional-use permit; in new platted developments it is administratively approved (limited to 25% of units). Owner-occupancy is not required.
Zoning allowance
An accessory dwelling unit / guest house is a limited (administrative) use in the residential districts (RE-1, R1-A, R-1, R-2, R-3) and permitted by right in PUD. On an existing single-family residence it 'shall require a conditional use permit' (Code §25-286(h)(5)); in new developments it is approv
Size limits
The unit 'shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the primary residence living area or eight hundred (800) square feet whichever is smaller' and 'shall not exceed two (2) bedrooms' (Code §25-286(h)).
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 for an ADU (the 183-day owner-occupancy rule in the code applies only to bed-and-breakfast inns). The ADU section does not address renting; short-term rental would independently trigger the separate short-term-rental use standards.
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.
ADU Size Calculator (50% formula, 800 sq ft cap)
| Primary Home Size | Max ADU Size |
|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | 600 sq ft |
| 1,800 sq ft | 800 sq ft |
| 1,600 sq ft (cap triggers) | 800 sq ft (max) |
Whichever is smaller: 50% of primary OR 800 sq ft hard cap. smaller of 50% of the primary residence or 800 sq ft; max 2 bedrooms; CU for existing single-family homes
Building limits and rental rules, side by side
These figures are based on the best available data for Leesburg 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:800 sq ft or 50% (lesser)
- 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 Leesburg 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 Leesburg permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Leesburg 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:
- Leesburg 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:
- Leesburg 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:
- Leesburg 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
Leesburg neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Leesburg ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Leesburg homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Leesburg, Florida?
An accessory dwelling unit / guest house is a limited (administrative) use in the residential districts (RE-1, R1-A, R-1, R-2, R-3) and permitted by right in PUD. On an existing single-family residence it 'shall require a conditional use permit' (Code §25-286(h)(5)); in new developments it is approved on the plat, capped at 25% of units.
What is the maximum ADU size in Leesburg?
The unit 'shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the primary residence living area or eight hundred (800) square feet whichever is smaller' and 'shall not exceed two (2) bedrooms' (Code §25-286(h)).
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Leesburg?
Leesburg does not require owner-occupancy. Both the primary home and ADU can be rented to tenants simultaneously.
Can I use my Leesburg ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Leesburg Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Leesburg?
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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More Lake County ADU Guides
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.