ADU Rules & Zoning in Orange Park, Florida (2026)

Updated with 2026 Florida SB-48 Codes

What ADU can you build in your Orange Park backyard?

Instant zoning report — see exactly what your zoning allows: permitted ADU types, size limits, setbacks, and lot requirements for your specific property.

Free report · No commitment · 60 seconds

ADU Rules in Orange Park, Florida

We've researched Orange Park'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.

  • Maximum ADU size is 1,000 sq ft under Florida SB-48
  • Stable military/suburban LTR market — NAS Jacksonville drives consistent demand from E-4 through officer ranks
  • Most of 'Orange Park' is unincorporated Clay County — confirm jurisdiction before submitting permits
  • No owner-occupancy requirement under SB-48
  • HOA communities are common — check CC&Rs before any planning
  • LTR income $950–$1,600/month; STR minimal in this market

Last verified: 2026-04-02

Find out what ADU you can build in your backyard

— and get a free Orange Park ADU guide for your area.

Free report · No commitment · 60 seconds

A modern backyard cottage — the kind of ADU homeowners are building across Orange Park, Florida

Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Orange Park — here's how to do it right.

Here's exactly what Orange Park zoning allows

Orange Park ADU rules under Florida SB-48. Clay County's largest community and Jacksonville's most established western suburb. Military community (NAS Jacksonville 10 miles north). Clay County connector active.

Zoning allowance

ADUs permitted on eligible single-family parcels under Florida SB-48 (2026). Note: Orange Park is an incorporated town, but most of the area marketed as 'Orange Park' is unincorporated Clay County — confirm jurisdiction with Clay County Property Appraiser.

Size limits

Up to 1,000 sq ft under SB-48. Clay County follows the statewide baseline.

Lot + setbacks

Typical setbacks: 7.5ft side, 10ft rear. Many Orange Park/Clay County parcels are suburban lots 75–100ft wide with good buildable space for detached ADUs.

Height + coverage

Maximum 30–35ft in residential zones.

Parking

One parking space required for ADU.

Rental / occupancy

Owner-occupancy not required under Florida SB-48. LTR-dominant market driven by military personnel from NAS Jacksonville and Jacksonville corporate demand.

Permit process

Clay County Utility Authority and Building Department for most parcels (most of Orange Park is unincorporated). Town of Orange Park Building for parcels within town limits (smaller area).

Find out what ADU you can build in your backyard

— and get a free Orange Park ADU guide for your area.

Free report · No commitment · 60 seconds

Building limits and rental rules, side by side

These two sets of rules determine what you can build and what income you can expect. Read both before you commit to a design or a rental strategy.

Building Limits

  • Max Size:1,000 sq ft
  • Setbacks:7ft side / 10ft rear
  • Detached Allowed?Yes
  • Max Height:35 ft
  • Build Cost Est.:$100,000–$195,000

Rental Rules

No Owner-Occupancy Requirement: Both units can be rented to tenants simultaneously.

Short-Term Rentals: Not prohibited at the city level. State DBPR license required.

Estimated Monthly Income

$950–$1,600/month

Based on 2025–2026 Orange Park market data

Florida SB-48 (2026 update): Under Florida's statewide ADU law, most single-family homeowners have the right to build an ADU by-right. Local municipalities cannot impose size limits below 1,000 sq ft or require owner-occupancy as a condition of building. If you believe a local denial violates SB-48, consult a Florida land-use attorney.

ADUs are NOT Permitted In:

  • HOA communities with ADU prohibitions in CC&Rs
  • Commercial zones along US-17 and Blanding Boulevard
  • Wetland and flood buffer areas near Black Creek and Doctors Lake

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 Orange Park permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.

1

Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check

Where:
Clay County Planning and Zoning, 477 Houston Street, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Contact:
(904) 269-6300
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
2

Step 2: Submit Permit Application

Where:
https://www.claycountygov.com/departments/planning/building
Contact:
(904) 269-6300
What to bring:
Architectural plans, site plan, boundary survey, energy compliance docs
Timeline:
5–9 weeks plan review; 7–12 weeks total
Cost:
$6,550–$15,100 in permits and fees (excluding construction)
3

Step 3: Plan Review & Revisions

Where:
Clay County Planning and Zoning
Contact:
(904) 269-6300
What to bring:
Responses to any correction letters; revised drawings if required
Timeline:
5–9 weeks plan review; 7–12 weeks total
Cost:
No additional fee for standard resubmittal
4

Step 4: Construction & Inspections

Where:
Orange Park Building Department
Contact:
(904) 269-6300
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

Full Orange Park Permit Cost Breakdown

These are the fees you'll encounter, in the order you'll typically encounter them.

Cost ItemAmount / Notes
Total Estimated Cost$6,550–$15,100 in permits and fees (excluding construction)
Building Permit Fee$1,200–$2,800
Impact Fees$4,000–$9,000
Plan Review Fee$350–$800
Utility Connection Fees$1,000–$2,500
Permit Timeline: 5–9 weeks plan review; 7–12 weeks total

Find out what ADU you can build in your backyard

— and get a free Orange Park ADU guide for your area.

Free report · No commitment · 60 seconds

Key ADU Restrictions in Orange Park

These are the rules that most often catch homeowners by surprise. Read them carefully before engaging an architect.

  • Most of what's called 'Orange Park' is unincorporated Clay County — confirm jurisdiction before contacting the Town of Orange Park building department
  • HOA communities are common throughout Clay County's planned neighborhoods (Oakleaf Plantation, Fleming Island) — check CC&Rs before planning
  • Clay County has a mixed permit workload — review times can vary; plan for potential 6–10 week review periods

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Orange Park

  • NAS Jacksonville BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) drives a reliable LTR market for E-4 through O-3 ranks — ADUs priced at $950–$1,400/month fill quickly with military tenants
  • Fleming Island (south of Orange Park in Clay County) is a more affluent sub-market with higher rents and newer construction — worth considering for a premium ADU build
  • Orange Park area has mostly flat terrain and shallow water tables — drainage planning is important for ADU foundations, especially in older neighborhoods

Eligible Zones in Orange Park

ADUs are permitted by-right in these zoning districts. Verify your parcel at the county GIS portal — most homeowners can confirm their zone in under 5 minutes.

RSFR-1R-2RAPUD
Aerial view of a Florida residential neighborhood — properties where homeowners are adding ADUs

Orange Park neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?

Orange Park ADU — Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions we hear most often from Orange Park homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.

Is Orange Park's rental market strong enough to justify an ADU build?

Orange Park offers reliable, stable rental income rather than high yields. The military tenant base from NAS Jacksonville (15,000+ personnel) creates structural demand for quality rental housing in the $950–$1,400/month range. Orange Park Medical Center and the growth of the Clay County school system also drive healthcare and teacher demand. If your goal is low-risk, low-vacancy LTR income, Orange Park delivers. If you're targeting STR yields, this is not the market.

Find out what ADU you can build in your backyard

— and get a free Orange Park ADU guide for your area.

Free report · No commitment · 60 seconds

Find out what ADU you can build in your backyard

— and get a free Orange Park ADU guide for your area.

Free report · No commitment · 60 seconds

Orange Park Planning Department

We recommend calling Clay County Planning and Zoning at (904) 269-6300 before submitting anything — a 10-minute conversation can save weeks of back-and-forth on your permit application.

Clay County Planning and Zoning

477 Houston Street, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Get your free Orange Park ADU Guide

Your personal zoning report + complete Orange Park ADU requirements — delivered free to your email in 60 seconds.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Used by 10,000+ Florida homeowners.

Serving homeowners in 32073, 32065 and surrounding Orange Park zip codes.

This page provides general information based on current ordinances and publicly available data as of April 2026. Zoning rules change — verify all requirements with your local planning department before making financial commitments.