Tallahassee, FL Accessory Structures: ADU Permits (2026)

Tallahassee land use is regulated under the Land Development Code (Chapter 9 of the City Code), administered by the Department of Growth Management, with the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department supporting comprehensive plan compliance. ADUs (also referenced as accessory living units, ALUs, or garage apartments in older code provisions) are permitted in many residential zoning districts including R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RP, RP-1, RP-2, and RP-UF subject to: one ADU per principal residence; size cap (commonly 800 sq ft or a percentage of the principal dwelling, whichever is less); placement behind the front building line of the principal dwelling; setbacks matching the underlying district; one off-street parking space; and connection to existing or approved water/sewer service. Florida HB 1031 (2024) — codified at Fla. Stat. § 163.31771 — defines accessory dwelling units in state law and directs cities and counties to consider adopting ADU regulations consistent with the act, but does not impose hard preemption that overrides local size or placement standards. Permits required: zoning verification and consistency review through Growth Management; building permit through Growth Management Permitting under the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), which adopts the IRC, IBC, IFC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, and NEC families with Florida amendments under Fla. Stat. Chapter 553; and trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) under the corresponding chapters. Filings are submitted through the Tallahassee-Leon County DigEplan e-permitting portal. The Architectural Review Board reviews exterior alterations in the Calhoun Street Historic District, Park Avenue Historic District, and Smokey Hollow. Properties in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (St. Marks watershed, Lake Munson, Lake Lafayette, Lafayette Creek) must comply with Tallahassee's Floodplain Management Ordinance and the Stormwater Management Ordinance.