Palm Beach County, FL Accessory Structures: ADU Owner Occupancy (2026)
Key Facts
- Max size, under 1 acre
- 800 sq ft
- Max size, 1+ acre lot
- 1,000 sq ft
- Utilities
- Must share owner's meters
- Eligible principal uses
- Single Family, Townhouse, Zero Lot Line
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Unincorporated Palm Beach County lets homeowners build one Accessory Quarters unit by right, but the code defines it as located on the owner-occupied principal dwelling's lot, so investor-owned rentals without an on-site owner don't qualify.
A complete, separate living quarter equipped with a kitchen and provisions for sanitation and sleeping, located on the same lot as the owner-occupied principal dwelling. ... One Accessory Quarter is Permitted by Right as accessory to a Single Family, Townhouse, and Zero Lot Line principal use.
Full Breakdown
Palm Beach County's Unified Land Development Code allows one Accessory Quarters as a by-right accessory use to a Single Family, Townhouse, or Zero Lot Line home in unincorporated areas, but only where it sits on the same lot as the owner-occupied principal dwelling. Size is capped at 800 square feet on lots under an acre and 1,000 square feet on an acre or more, the structure must match the main house architecturally, and it cannot have its own utility meters: both units share the principal dwelling's water and power. This applies only outside the county's 39 municipalities; West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Jupiter set their own separate ADU rules.
Violations & Fines
Building without permits or occupying an unauthorized second unit as an investor rental is a zoning code violation enforced by PBC Code Enforcement, subject to citation and required removal or permitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out a Palm Beach County accessory quarters unit to someone who doesn't own the property?
Does this owner-occupancy rule apply inside West Palm Beach or Boca Raton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida accessory structures overview
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