What ADU can you build in your Tallahassee 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
Tallahassee ADU rules at a glance
- Max ADU size
Up to 1,200 sq ft, and smaller than your main home - 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 Tallahassee, Florida
We've researched Tallahassee'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.
- Rentable ADU up to 1,200 sq ft in all zoning districts (LDC §10-412)
- No owner-occupancy requirement
- May be rented short- or long-term at the owner's discretion
Last verified: 2026-07-15
Backyard ADUs like this are being built across Tallahassee — here's how to do it right.
What Tallahassee's zoning may allow for an ADU
Tallahassee is one of Florida's most ADU-friendly cities: it allows one ADU per lot in all zoning districts, up to 1,200 sq ft, with no owner-occupancy requirement, and the ADU may be rented either short- or long-term at the owner's discretion.
Zoning allowance
One ADU is allowed per lot in all Tallahassee zoning districts, accessory to a single-family or duplex residence (Land Development Code §10-412).
Size limits
A Tallahassee ADU may not exceed 1,200 sq ft of gross floor area under roof and may be up to 2 stories; it must meet the same setbacks and lot coverage as the principal structure and sit at least 6 ft from other structures (LDC §10-412).
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
ADUs may be rented as either short-term or long-term rentals at the owner's discretion, and there is no owner-occupancy requirement (City Growth Management guidance; LDC §10-412). Short-term rentals remain subject to the city's separate vacation-rental rules.
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 Tallahassee 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:1,200 sq ft
- Detached Allowed?Check with city
Rental Rules
Short-Term Rentals: Not prohibited at the city level. State DBPR license required.
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 Tallahassee permit process step by step — so you know exactly what's coming, and what to prepare.
Step 1: Pre-Application Zoning Check
- Where:
- Tallahassee 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:
- Tallahassee 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:
- Tallahassee 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:
- Tallahassee 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
Tallahassee neighborhoods where ADU permits are being filed — is your street next?
Tallahassee ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from Tallahassee homeowners. If yours isn't here, our ADU Zoning Experts can answer it directly.
Can I build an ADU in Tallahassee, Florida?
One ADU is allowed per lot in all Tallahassee zoning districts, accessory to a single-family or duplex residence (Land Development Code §10-412).
What is the maximum ADU size in Tallahassee?
A Tallahassee ADU may not exceed 1,200 sq ft of gross floor area under roof and may be up to 2 stories; it must meet the same setbacks and lot coverage as the principal structure and sit at least 6 ft from other structures (LDC §10-412).
Do I need to be an owner-occupant to build an ADU in Tallahassee?
ADUs may be rented as either short-term or long-term rentals at the owner's discretion, and there is no owner-occupancy requirement (City Growth Management guidance; LDC §10-412). Short-term rentals remain subject to the city's separate vacation-rental rules.
Can I use my Tallahassee ADU as an Airbnb?
Tallahassee does not prohibit short-term rentals at the city level. You must obtain a Florida DBPR Vacation Rental Dwelling license.
How do I get an ADU permit in Tallahassee?
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.