What ADU can you build in your Pinecrest 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
Pinecrest 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 Pinecrest, Florida
We've researched Pinecrest'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.
- Only a non-rentable 'accessory unit'/guesthouse is allowed — 'not to be rented' (Code Art. 9)
- Size is FAR/coverage-based, not a fixed cap; refutes an unsourced 900 sq ft figure
- For temporary guests of the principal residence only
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Pinecrest — here's how to do it right.
What Pinecrest's zoning may allow for an ADU
Pinecrest permits only a non-rentable 'accessory unit' (guesthouse) — its code defines the accessory unit as 'a guesthouse or worker housing not to be rented,' for temporary guests of the principal residence. Size is governed by a floor-area/coverage formula, not a fixed cap. (This refutes an unsourced 900 sq ft figure.)
Zoning allowance
Pinecrest allows one 'accessory unit' (guesthouse) per lot in its residential estate/urban districts (EU-1C, EU-1, EU-S, EU-M, RU-1, RU-2), used by temporary guests of the principal residence, with a signed owner affidavit (Code Ch. 30, Art. 4 Div. 4.2).
Size limits
There is no fixed square-foot ADU cap in Pinecrest — accessory building size follows a floor-area-ratio/coverage formula. Detached accessory buildings are limited to 14 ft (at a 15 ft setback) or 18 ft (at a 20 ft setback) in height (Code Art. 4 Div. 4.2). The unsourced 900 sq ft figure is not suppo
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
The accessory unit is non-rentable by definition — 'A guesthouse or worker housing not to be rented,' for temporary guests of the principal residence (Code Art. 9 definitions). It is not an income unit.
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 Pinecrest 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
- Max Height:18 ft
Rental Rules
Short-Term Rentals Prohibited: Minimum 30-day stay required in Pinecrest.
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 Pinecrest permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Pinecrest 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:
- Pinecrest 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:
- Pinecrest 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:
- Pinecrest 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
Pinecrest neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Pinecrest ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Pinecrest homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Pinecrest, Florida?
Pinecrest allows one 'accessory unit' (guesthouse) per lot in its residential estate/urban districts (EU-1C, EU-1, EU-S, EU-M, RU-1, RU-2), used by temporary guests of the principal residence, with a signed owner affidavit (Code Ch. 30, Art. 4 Div. 4.2).
What is the maximum ADU size in Pinecrest?
There is no fixed square-foot ADU cap in Pinecrest — accessory building size follows a floor-area-ratio/coverage formula. Detached accessory buildings are limited to 14 ft (at a 15 ft setback) or 18 ft (at a 20 ft setback) in height (Code Art. 4 Div. 4.2). The unsourced 900 sq ft figure is not supported.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Pinecrest?
The accessory unit is non-rentable by definition — 'A guesthouse or worker housing not to be rented,' for temporary guests of the principal residence (Code Art. 9 definitions). It is not an income unit.
Can I use my Pinecrest ADU as an Airbnb?
Short-term rentals under 30 days are prohibited in Pinecrest. The minimum rental period is 30 days.
How do I get an ADU permit in Pinecrest?
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.