What ADU can you build in your North Miami 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
North Miami 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 North Miami, Florida
We've researched North Miami'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.
- New ADUs are prohibited citywide — grandfathered units only (LDR §5-102)
- Grandfathered units must be rented at an affordable rate
- No path to build a new rentable ADU absent a rezoning
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across North Miami — here's how to do it right.
What North Miami's zoning may allow for an ADU
North Miami prohibits new accessory dwelling units citywide — only pre-existing (grandfathered/nonconforming) units may remain, and those must be rented at an affordable rate. A new rentable backyard ADU is not permitted. (Source is the city's LDR §5-102; a post-2017 amendment could not be independently confirmed — medium confidence.)
Zoning allowance
North Miami LDR §5-102(A) provides that 'no accessory dwelling units are permitted in the city' except grandfathered nonconforming units listed with the city. There is no path to build a new ADU absent a rezoning.
Size limits
North Miami sets no ADU size (none may be built). Grandfathered units are limited to 'one full bath and kitchen facilities' (§5-102(B)(1)); general accessory structures are non-habitable.
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
A grandfathered unit seeking re-occupancy must be rented at an affordable rate to a low/moderate-income household (§5-102(B)(3)) — but no new ADU may be created. So a new rentable backyard ADU is not available.
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 North Miami 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 rental rules vary — confirm with North Miami 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 North Miami permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- North Miami 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:
- North Miami 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:
- North Miami 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:
- North Miami 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
North Miami neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
North Miami ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from North Miami homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in North Miami, Florida?
North Miami LDR §5-102(A) provides that 'no accessory dwelling units are permitted in the city' except grandfathered nonconforming units listed with the city. There is no path to build a new ADU absent a rezoning.
What is the maximum ADU size in North Miami?
North Miami sets no ADU size (none may be built). Grandfathered units are limited to 'one full bath and kitchen facilities' (§5-102(B)(1)); general accessory structures are non-habitable.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in North Miami?
A grandfathered unit seeking re-occupancy must be rented at an affordable rate to a low/moderate-income household (§5-102(B)(3)) — but no new ADU may be created. So a new rentable backyard ADU is not available.
Can I use my North Miami ADU as an Airbnb?
Contact North Miami Planning to confirm current short-term rental rules for ADUs.
How do I get an ADU permit in North Miami?
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.