ADU rules in Cape Coral, FL — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Cape Coral does not currently permit traditional accessory dwelling units (ADUs) with full kitchens. Under Land Development Code Section 5.2.11, only detached 'guest houses' are allowed, and only in the Residential Estate (RE) zoning district on lots with an existing principal residence. Guest houses cannot contain a kitchen or even the electrical/gas connections for a stove or oven, may not exceed 800 sq ft or 30% of the primary structure (whichever is less), are limited to one story (14 ft max), and cannot be rented as separate dwellings. Florida has no statewide ADU mandate.
Cape Coral's Land Development Code Section 5.2.11 governs accessory living quarters. A guest house may only be built on a lot with a principal residential dwelling unit located in the Residential Estate (RE) zoning district. The guest house must be a detached structure not exceeding one story and a maximum building height of 14 feet. Floor area is capped at 30% of the area of the primary structure or 800 square feet, whichever is less. A guest house may not contain a kitchen or the electrical or gas connections required to install a stove or oven, and may not contain more than two bedrooms. One additional off-street parking space is required. Guest houses are intended only for temporary accommodation of guests or family members and may not be rented as a separate dwelling unit. Standard residential zoning districts such as RS-1 and RD do not permit detached accessory dwelling units of any kind. The City Council reviewed potential ADU language in 2023-2024 but did not reach consensus to allow secondary dwelling units citywide. Florida House Bill 247 (2025) proposes a statewide ADU mandate that, if enacted, would override local restrictions. Building permits with digitally sealed plans from licensed Florida professionals are required for all guest house construction.
Constructing an unpermitted ADU or installing a kitchen in a guest house violates the Land Development Code and the Florida Building Code, and is enforced through Cape Coral Code Compliance. Violations can trigger stop-work orders, mandatory removal of unauthorized kitchen connections, daily fines under the city's code enforcement process, and a requirement to obtain after-the-fact permits or remove the structure. Renting a guest house as a separate dwelling unit is a separate violation under Section 5.2.11.
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See how Cape Coral's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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