What ADU can you build in your Miami Beach 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
Miami Beach ADU rules at a glance
- Owner-occupancy
Required — you must live on the property - Short-term rentals
Restricted — long-term rentals only in most zones - Where it's allowed
Eligibility varies by zoning district — check your address to confirm yours
ADU Rules in Miami Beach, Florida
We've researched Miami Beach'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 allowed in single-family districts — lesser of 10% of the main home or 1,500 sq ft, min 200 (Resiliency Code §7.5.4.13.D)
- Leasable to an unrelated family only if owner-occupied (homestead); 6-month minimum, no short-term rentals
- Corrects an unsourced 750 sq ft figure (size figures via OCR — confirm with the city)
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Miami Beach — here's how to do it right.
What Miami Beach's zoning may allow for an ADU
Miami Beach permits an ADU in single-family districts, sized at the lesser of 10% of the main home or 1,500 sq ft (minimum 200 sq ft) — so in practice most ADUs are small. It may be leased to an unrelated family only if the property is owner-occupied (homestead), with a six-month-plus lease (no short-term rentals). (Size figures are from an OCR'd ordinance — medium confidence.)
Zoning allowance
Miami Beach permits an accessory dwelling unit as an accessory use in single-family districts (Resiliency Code §7.5.4.13.D, former §142-905(b)(3)); it may contain a full kitchen and the site must keep the appearance of a single-family home.
Size limits
A Miami Beach ADU may not exceed the lesser of 10% of the main home's size or 1,500 sq ft, with a 200 sq ft minimum (§7.5.4.13.D). Because 10% governs for most homes, ADUs are typically small. (These figures come from an OCR'd city ordinance and should be confirmed with the city.)
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
An ADU may be leased to a family unrelated to the primary household only on owner-occupied (homestead) properties, with annual homestead proof; the minimum lease is six months and one day, so short-term rentals are prohibited (§7.5.4.13.D). Ord. 2024-4580 added a specific rental allowance in the Pal
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.
ADU Size Calculator (10% formula, 1,500 sq ft cap)
| Primary Home Size | Max ADU Size |
|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | 120 sq ft |
| 1,800 sq ft | 180 sq ft |
| 15,000 sq ft (cap triggers) | 1,500 sq ft (max) |
Whichever is smaller: 10% of primary OR 1,500 sq ft hard cap. lesser of 10% of the main home or 1,500 sq ft; minimum 200 sq ft. Figures from an OCR'd city ordinance — confirm with the city before relying.
Building limits and rental rules, side by side
These figures are based on the best available data for Miami Beach 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:1,500 sq ft or 10% (lesser)
- Detached Allowed?Check with city
Rental Rules
Owner-Occupancy Required: You must live in either the primary home or the ADU.
Short-Term Rentals Prohibited: Minimum 30-day stay required in Miami Beach.
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 Miami Beach permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Miami Beach 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:
- Miami Beach 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:
- Miami Beach 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:
- Miami Beach 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 Miami Beach
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 Miami Beach Planning before relying on this — most homeowners can check their zone at the county GIS portal in a few minutes.
Miami Beach neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Miami Beach ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Miami Beach homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Miami Beach, Florida?
Miami Beach permits an accessory dwelling unit as an accessory use in single-family districts (Resiliency Code §7.5.4.13.D, former §142-905(b)(3)); it may contain a full kitchen and the site must keep the appearance of a single-family home.
What is the maximum ADU size in Miami Beach?
A Miami Beach ADU may not exceed the lesser of 10% of the main home's size or 1,500 sq ft, with a 200 sq ft minimum (§7.5.4.13.D). Because 10% governs for most homes, ADUs are typically small. (These figures come from an OCR'd city ordinance and should be confirmed with the city.)
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Miami Beach?
Miami Beach requires owner-occupancy — you must live in either the primary home or the ADU.
Can I use my Miami Beach ADU as an Airbnb?
Short-term rentals under 30 days are prohibited in Miami Beach. The minimum rental period is 30 days.
How do I get an ADU permit in Miami Beach?
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.