ADU Zoning in Leon County, Florida (2026)
What ADU can you build in your Leon County backyard?
Instant zoning report — see exactly what your zoning allows: permitted ADU types, size limits, setbacks, and lot requirements for your specific property.
Leon County ADU — Key Facts
- Leon County allows one ADU per lot in all zoning districts (LDC Section 10-6.803(b))
- ADUs next to a single-family home are capped at 800 sq ft of heated and cooled area
- The code names rental income as a purpose, and there is no owner-occupancy rule
- ADUs are exempt from density but must meet district setbacks and height limits
- Detached ADUs go in the side or rear yard and must match the main home's style
- Mobile homes, standard-design manufactured homes and sheds cannot be ADUs
Unincorporated Leon County Rules
*These rules apply if your address is NOT inside a specific city limit.
Leon County ADU Permit Process
- 1Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Leon County, not Tallahassee.
- 2Submit a residential compliance certificate to confirm eligibility.
- 3Apply for the building and environmental management permit with documents showing the ADU meets Section 10-6.803(b) and the Environmental Management Act.
- 4Sign and record a notarized ADU affidavit with the Clerk of Courts before the permit is issued.
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Cities in Leon County
Leon County ADU — Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions from Leon County homeowners about ADU rules, permits, and costs.
How big can an ADU be in unincorporated Leon County?
Up to 800 sq ft of heated and cooled floor area when it serves a single-family home, attached or detached (LDC Section 10-6.803(b)). ADUs accessory to retail, office or industrial buildings can be up to 1,000 sq ft gross.
Can I rent out an ADU in Leon County?
Yes. The county's code lists obtaining rental income as one purpose of ADUs, and it does not require the owner to live on the property. The ADU cannot be sold separately unless the property is properly subdivided.
Where on the lot can a Leon County ADU go?
A detached ADU goes in the side or rear yard, and in the rear yard if the lot has an alley. It can go in the front or side corner yard only if the main home is set back at least 50 ft and the ADU stays at least 30 ft from those property lines.
Do Leon County's ADU rules apply in Tallahassee?
No. Tallahassee has its own rules. These cover unincorporated Leon County, such as Woodville, Chaires, Fort Braden and Bradfordville.
Florida ADU Laws 2026 — What State Law Does and Doesn't Do
How §163.31771 works, and what your local government controls.
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