What ADU can you build in your New Port Richey 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
New Port Richey 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 New Port Richey, Florida
We've researched New Port Richey'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.
- Interior accessory apartment only — no detached backyard ADU permitted
- Capped at 25% of the home's gross floor area, one per lot
- No owner-occupancy; the city's own code governs (not the Pasco County ADU ordinance)
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across New Port Richey — here's how to do it right.
What New Port Richey's zoning may allow for an ADU
New Port Richey is an incorporated city with its own code (it does not use Pasco County's ADU ordinance). It allows an 'accessory apartment' but only within the principal structure — a detached backyard ADU is not permitted. The unit is capped at 25% of the home's gross floor area, one per lot. Owner-occupancy is not required and the code does not restrict renting.
Zoning allowance
An accessory apartment is a permitted accessory use where single-family homes are allowed, but it 'shall be located within the principal structure' — a unit connected only by a breezeway or roofed passage does not qualify (LDC §12.07.00(2)(b)). No detached ADU is permitted; no special exception requ
Size limits
The accessory apartment 'shall not exceed 25 percent of the gross floor area of the principal structure within which it is located' (LDC §12.07.00(2)(c)); one per lot. No variances are allowed to accommodate it.
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 (the code is silent). The section does not restrict renting; its stated purpose is 'to provide for inexpensive housing units … making housing available to persons who might otherwise have difficulty in finding homes' (LDC §12.07.00).
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 New Port Richey 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 New Port Richey 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 New Port Richey permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- New Port Richey 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:
- New Port Richey 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:
- New Port Richey 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:
- New Port Richey 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
New Port Richey neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
New Port Richey ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from New Port Richey homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in New Port Richey, Florida?
An accessory apartment is a permitted accessory use where single-family homes are allowed, but it 'shall be located within the principal structure' — a unit connected only by a breezeway or roofed passage does not qualify (LDC §12.07.00(2)(b)). No detached ADU is permitted; no special exception required.
What is the maximum ADU size in New Port Richey?
The accessory apartment 'shall not exceed 25 percent of the gross floor area of the principal structure within which it is located' (LDC §12.07.00(2)(c)); one per lot. No variances are allowed to accommodate it.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in New Port Richey?
New Port Richey does not require owner-occupancy. Both the primary home and ADU can be rented to tenants simultaneously.
Can I use my New Port Richey ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact New Port Richey Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in New Port Richey?
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 Pasco 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.