ADU Zoning in Broward County, Florida (2026)
What ADU can you build in your Broward County backyard?
Instant zoning report — see exactly what your zoning allows: permitted ADU types, size limits, setbacks, and lot requirements for your specific property.
Broward County ADU — Key Facts
- Broward has 31 incorporated municipalities — NO single county zoning code applies citywide
- ALL Broward construction is HVHZ — impact glass, hurricane straps, HVHZ roofing add $20K–$40K to cost
- ADU size caps vary by city: Fort Lauderdale 600 sq ft, Hollywood ~700, Pembroke Pines 800
- Fort Lauderdale requires owner-occupancy + annual Certificate of Use + prohibits STR
- Most Broward municipalities prohibit short-term rentals (<30 days) in residential zones
- Long-term rental income range: $1,500–$2,200/month across Broward
- Jurisdiction confirmation is THE critical first step — wrong-municipality permits are invalid
Unincorporated Broward County Rules
*These rules apply if your address is NOT inside a specific city limit.
Broward County ADU Permit Process
- 1Determine exact municipality — Broward has 31 incorporated cities, each with separate codes and permit portals.
- 2Confirm HVHZ-compliant Florida Product Approvals for all openings and roofing.
- 3Hire HVHZ-experienced Florida-licensed PE/RA.
- 4Submit application to the appropriate municipal portal (Fort Lauderdale: LauderBuild; Hollywood: Hollywood Permits portal; Pembroke Pines: City of Pembroke Pines portal; etc.).
- 5Multi-department review including HVHZ structural.
- 6Pass inspections.
- 7Obtain Certificate of Occupancy.
- 8Apply for rental Certificate of Use if required by your municipality. Total timeline: 6–14 months from design to CO.
Timeline: Varies by city. Fort Lauderdale (LauderBuild): 6–10 weeks plan review. Hollywood: 4–8 weeks. Pembroke Pines: 6–12 weeks. Total project: 6–14 months.
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Cities in Broward County
Coral Springs
Fort Lauderdale
Hollywood
Miramar
Pembroke Pines
Plantation
Pompano Beach
Sunrise
Broward County ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions from Broward County homeowners about ADU rules, permits, and costs.
Is there a single Broward County ADU code?
No. Broward County has 31 incorporated municipalities, each with its own zoning code and ADU rules. Fort Lauderdale uses ULDR §47-19.2 (600 sq ft cap), Hollywood has its own ordinance (~700 sq ft), Pembroke Pines permits up to 800 sq ft, etc. There is no unified 'Broward County ADU code' — your exact municipality determines your rules, fees, and permit process.
What is HVHZ and how does it apply in Broward?
Broward and Miami-Dade are designated High-Velocity Hurricane Zones under the Florida Building Code — the most stringent wind load category. ALL Broward ADU construction (every municipality, every district) requires impact-rated windows and doors (175 mph+), HVHZ-rated roofing systems, and enhanced structural connections. This adds $20,000–$40,000 to ADU cost vs comparable non-HVHZ Florida construction. Any prefab or modular unit must carry HVHZ-rated Florida Product Approvals — verify before purchase.
Which Broward cities allow ADU rentals?
Long-term ADU rental is permitted in most Broward municipalities, but specific rules vary. Fort Lauderdale requires owner-occupancy AND an annual Certificate of Use to rent the ADU. Hollywood requires owner-occupancy. Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, and Pompano Beach generally do not require owner-occupancy. ALL major Broward cities prohibit short-term rentals (<30 days) in single-family zones.
What's the typical Broward ADU rental income?
Long-term ADU rents in Broward range $1,500–$2,200/month depending on location. Fort Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines typically command higher rents ($1,800–$2,200) due to proximity to Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Hollywood and Pompano Beach run $1,500–$1,900. The strong rental market combined with high construction cost (HVHZ) typically delivers 7–10% gross rental yields.
How do I know which Broward municipality my property is in?
Use the Broward County Property Appraiser website (bcpa.net). Enter your address — the 'Tax District' or 'Municipality' field indicates whether you're in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, etc., or unincorporated Broward. Each has separate ADU rules, size caps, setbacks, owner-occupancy requirements, and permit portals. Wrong-jurisdiction permits are invalid, so this is the critical first step.
Florida ADU Laws 2026 — What State Law Does and Doesn't Do
How §163.31771 works, and what your local government controls.
ADU Zoning in Other Florida Metros
Find out what ADU you can build in your backyard
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