Alachua County, FL Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Alachua County, FL, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- Uldc Section 404.24
- ULDC Section 404.24 governs accessory dwelling units in unincorporated Alachua County
- Adus Allowed Zoning
- ADUs allowed in zoning districts A, RE, RE-1, R-1aa, R-1a, R-1b, R-1c (growth-management.alachuacounty.us)
- Setbacks
- Maximum size 1,700 sq ft heated/cooled or 50% of principal residence, whichever greater
- Penalties
- Zoning permit fee $70 plus a separate building permit
- Site Plan, Floor
- Site plan, floor plan, and ADU affidavit at submittal
- Applications Submitted Through
- Applications submitted through the CitizenServe permitting portal
Summary
Alachua County permits one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per principal residence in zoning districts A, RE, RE-1, R-1aa, R-1a, R-1b, and R-1c without counting toward gross residential density. Per Section 404.24 of the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC), ADUs have no minimum size and a maximum of 1,700 sq ft heated/cooled living area or 50% of the principal residence gross square footage, whichever is greater. A $70 zoning permit, site plan, floor plan, and ADU affidavit are required.
GENERAL BILL by
Rules ; Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development ; Community Affairs ; Gaetz
Housing; Authorizing a landlord to accept reusable tenant screening reports and require a specified statement; requiring, rather than authorizing, local governments to adopt, by a specified date, an ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units in certain areas; authorizing a local government to provide a density bonus incentive to landowners who make certain real property donations to assist in the provision of affordable housing for military families; requiring the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to evaluate the efficacy of using mezzanine finance and the potential of tiny homes for specified purposes, etc.
Full Breakdown
24 governs accessory dwelling units in unincorporated Alachua County. ADUs are permitted as accessory to the principal residence in residential zoning districts A (Agricultural), RE, RE-1, R-1aa, R-1a, R-1b, and R-1c, in Rural/Agriculture, Rural Cluster, Estate Residential, Low Density, or Medium Density future land use designations. The ADU does not count toward gross residential density. Maximum heated/cooled living area is 1,700 sq ft or 50% of the principal residence gross square footage, whichever is greater. The ADU must meet the underlying zoning district setbacks and share the driveway with the principal residence.
Water and sewer connections are required where utilities are available; otherwise, septic sharing is allowed subject to Florida Department of Health approval. The homestead exemption on the principal residence must be maintained. Applications are submitted electronically through the CitizenServe permitting portal with a $70 zoning permit fee, site plan, floor plan, and a signed Accessory Dwelling Unit affidavit. Building permits follow zoning approval. , Gainesville, Alachua, Newberry, High Springs) administer their own ADU rules under their municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Construction of an ADU without permits is a code violation under the Alachua County Code of Ordinances and ULDC enforcement provisions. Violations may trigger stop-work orders, code enforcement citations, and daily fines until brought into compliance. Failure to maintain homestead exemption on the principal residence or renting the ADU as a separate dwelling in violation of zoning terms can result in revocation of the ADU permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can an ADU be in unincorporated Alachua County?
Can I rent out an ADU on my Alachua County property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alachua County
How Alachua County compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Alachua County to another location·View the Florida accessory structures overview
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