What ADU can you build in your St. Cloud 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
St. Cloud ADU rules at a glance
- Max ADU size
Up to 1,000 sq ft, and smaller than your main home - Owner-occupancy
Required — you must live on the property - 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 St. Cloud, Florida
We've researched St. Cloud'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.
- One ADU by right in A/R-E/R-1/R-2/R-3/R-4 districts
- 60% of the home, max 1,000 sq ft (lots <1 acre); 60% with no flat cap on larger lots
- Long-term rental only if owner resides on-site; short-term (≤30 days) prohibited; deed restriction required
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across St. Cloud — here's how to do it right.
What St. Cloud's zoning may allow for an ADU
St. Cloud permits one ADU by right in its agricultural and residential districts (A/R-E/R-1/R-2/R-3/R-4), capped at 60% of the principal dwelling and no more than 1,000 sq ft on lots under one acre (60% with no flat cap on larger lots). Long-term rental is allowed only if the owner permanently resides in the home or the ADU; short-term rental (30 days or less) is prohibited, and a deed restriction must be recorded.
Zoning allowance
An ADU is a permitted (by-right) use in the A, R-E, R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-2A, R-3, and R-4 districts (district use tables); one per parcel (Code §3.14.30.B). Variances for height/setback/size are not allowed.
Size limits
'For lots less than one acre … 60 percent of the principal dwelling unit but shall not exceed 1,000 square feet'; 'For lots one acre or greater … 60 percent of the principal dwelling unit' (Code §3.14.30.D). Detached ADU rear setback ≥10 ft; height ≤ the principal structure.
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
Long-term rental is allowed only if the owner permanently resides in the primary structure or the ADU (homestead) (Code §3.14.30.H). Short-term rental (30 consecutive days or less) is prohibited for both units. A declaration of restrictions must be recorded before permit issuance (§3.14.30.M).
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 St. Cloud 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:1,000 sq ft or 60% (lesser)
- Detached Allowed?Check with city
Rental Rules
Owner-Occupancy Required: You must live in either the primary home or the ADU.
Short-Term Rentals Prohibited: Minimum 30-day stay required in St. Cloud.
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 St. Cloud permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- St. Cloud 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:
- St. Cloud 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:
- St. Cloud 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:
- St. Cloud 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
St. Cloud neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
St. Cloud ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from St. Cloud homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in St. Cloud, Florida?
An ADU is a permitted (by-right) use in the A, R-E, R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-2A, R-3, and R-4 districts (district use tables); one per parcel (Code §3.14.30.B). Variances for height/setback/size are not allowed.
What is the maximum ADU size in St. Cloud?
'For lots less than one acre … 60 percent of the principal dwelling unit but shall not exceed 1,000 square feet'; 'For lots one acre or greater … 60 percent of the principal dwelling unit' (Code §3.14.30.D). Detached ADU rear setback ≥10 ft; height ≤ the principal structure.
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in St. Cloud?
St. Cloud requires owner-occupancy — you must live in either the primary home or the ADU.
Can I use my St. Cloud ADU as an Airbnb?
Short-term rentals under 30 days are prohibited in St. Cloud. The minimum rental period is 30 days.
How do I get an ADU permit in St. Cloud?
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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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.