ADU rules in Santa Rosa County, FL — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Unincorporated Santa Rosa County allows a guest cottage (accessory dwelling / ADU) in every residential district. It may not exceed 50% of the main dwelling's floor area, needs a 60-foot front setback (or to sit behind the home's rear wall), and must meet the Florida Building Code.
Under LDC 5.02.06, a guest cottage is allowed as an accessory use in all residential districts. It cannot occupy more than 50% of the main dwelling's total floor area (50% of heated area in Agriculture zoning), as determined by the Property Appraiser. It must have a 60-foot front setback or sit behind the home's rear wall, keeping the principal dwelling's side and rear setbacks and the district height limit. An accessory structure WITH a stove and/or oven is defined as a guest cottage; without one it is not. No mobile home or RV counts as a guest cottage, and it must meet the Florida Building Code. Cities (Milton, Gulf Breeze, Jay) set their own rules.
Building without required permits or meeting cottage standards violates the LDC; the county can require permitting, correction, or removal and impose code-enforcement fines.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Santa Rosa County's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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