What ADU can you build in your Longwood 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
Longwood 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 Longwood, Florida
We've researched Longwood'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 ADU permitted by right as an accessory structure
- Up to 50% of the home (75% if the home is under 1,200 sq ft); 15 ft max height
- No owner-occupancy requirement; no rental restriction
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Longwood — here's how to do it right.
What Longwood's zoning may allow for an ADU
Longwood permits an accessory dwelling unit by right as an accessory structure. There is no flat square-foot cap: the ADU may be up to 50% of the primary structure (75% if the home is under 1,200 sq ft), max 15 ft tall. Owner-occupancy is not required and rental is not restricted.
Zoning allowance
'Accessory dwelling units including mother-in-law suites are considered accessory structures and are allowed' by right in residential districts (LDC §5.3.0.B.5). No special exception or conditional-use permit is required.
Size limits
An ADU 'shall not be larger than 50 percent of the size of the primary structure. Where the primary structure is below 1,200 square feet, the accessory structure may be 75 percent' (LDC §5.3.0.E). Max height 15 ft; a unit over 200 sq ft or 10 ft must meet the district's principal-structure setbacks.
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 the LDC. The ADU qualifies as a dwelling unit; long-term rental is not restricted. Historic-district ADUs are additionally capped at 10% of lot area and get architectural review.
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 Longwood 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 Longwood 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 Longwood permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Longwood 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:
- Longwood 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:
- Longwood 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:
- Longwood 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
Longwood neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Longwood ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Longwood homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Longwood, Florida?
'Accessory dwelling units including mother-in-law suites are considered accessory structures and are allowed' by right in residential districts (LDC §5.3.0.B.5). No special exception or conditional-use permit is required.
What is the maximum ADU size in Longwood?
An ADU 'shall not be larger than 50 percent of the size of the primary structure. Where the primary structure is below 1,200 square feet, the accessory structure may be 75 percent' (LDC §5.3.0.E). Max height 15 ft; a unit over 200 sq ft or 10 ft must meet the district's principal-structure setbacks.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Longwood?
Longwood does not require owner-occupancy. Both the primary home and ADU can be rented to tenants simultaneously.
Can I use my Longwood ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact Longwood Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in Longwood?
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.