What ADU can you build in your Miami Gardens 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 Gardens ADU rules at a glance
- Owner-occupancy
Not required — you can rent both units - 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 Gardens, Florida
We've researched Miami Gardens'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.
- No ADU permitted — not in the use schedule; a separate living unit is treated as illegal (§34-312)
- Only utility sheds ≤120 sq ft, which may not be dwellings
- A second dwelling requires two-family/multifamily zoning, not an accessory permit
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Miami Gardens — here's how to do it right.
What Miami Gardens's zoning may allow for an ADU
Miami Gardens does not permit accessory dwelling units — the permitted-use schedule has no ADU or guest-house category, and the code treats a separate living unit in an accessory structure as illegal (separate meter/kitchen/entrance are evidence of a violation). A rentable backyard ADU is not permitted.
Zoning allowance
Miami Gardens' §34-287 permitted-use schedule lists no accessory dwelling or guest-house use, and §34-312(1)(f) treats a shed/accessory structure used as a dwelling as an illegal ADU (evidenced by a separate meter, kitchen, or 'advertised as a living unit').
Size limits
There is no ADU size in Miami Gardens because a second dwelling unit is not authorized. The only accessory cap is 120 sq ft for utility sheds (§34-312(1)(c)), which may not be dwellings.
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
No rentable accessory unit is allowed — a separate living unit is prohibited and its indicators (separate address, meter, kitchen, advertising as a living unit) are treated as evidence of an illegal ADU (§34-312(1)(f)).
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.
Building limits and rental rules, side by side
These figures are based on the best available data for Miami Gardens 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
Short-Term Rentals Prohibited: Minimum 30-day stay required in Miami Gardens.
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 Gardens permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Miami Gardens 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 Gardens 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 Gardens 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 Gardens 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
Miami Gardens neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Miami Gardens ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Miami Gardens homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Miami Gardens, Florida?
Miami Gardens' §34-287 permitted-use schedule lists no accessory dwelling or guest-house use, and §34-312(1)(f) treats a shed/accessory structure used as a dwelling as an illegal ADU (evidenced by a separate meter, kitchen, or 'advertised as a living unit').
What is the maximum ADU size in Miami Gardens?
There is no ADU size in Miami Gardens because a second dwelling unit is not authorized. The only accessory cap is 120 sq ft for utility sheds (§34-312(1)(c)), which may not be dwellings.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Miami Gardens?
No rentable accessory unit is allowed — a separate living unit is prohibited and its indicators (separate address, meter, kitchen, advertising as a living unit) are treated as evidence of an illegal ADU (§34-312(1)(f)).
Can I use my Miami Gardens ADU as an Airbnb?
Short-term rentals under 30 days are prohibited in Miami Gardens. The minimum rental period is 30 days.
How do I get an ADU permit in Miami Gardens?
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.