Fort Lauderdale, FL Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Fort Lauderdale, FL, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- City Code Section
- ULDR 47-19.2 (Accessory dwellings)
- State Statute
- Fla. Stat. 163.31771 (Accessory dwelling units)
- Max size
- 600 sq ft or 49% of principal, whichever is less
- Bedrooms
- 1 bedroom/1 bath, or efficiency
- Units per lot
- 1 accessory dwelling per single-family lot
- Permitted districts
- RS-8, RD-15, RC-15, RM-15, RML-25, RMM-25, RMH-25, RMH-60
- Parking
- Per ULDR 47-20
Summary
Fort Lauderdale permits an accessory dwelling (granny flat) only as an accessory to a single-family home in specified residential districts (RS-8, RD-15, RM-15 and others), capped at one bedroom/one bath or an efficiency and no larger than 600 square feet or 49% of the principal home, whichever is less.
163.31771 Accessory dwelling units.— As used in this section, the term "accessory dwelling unit" means an ancillary or secondary living unit, that has a separate kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area, existing either within the same structure, or on the same lot, as the primary dwelling unit. A local government may adopt an ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units in any area zoned for single-family residential use. An application for a building permit to construct an accessory dwelling unit must include an affidavit from the applicant which attests that the unit will be rented at an affordable rate to an extremely-low-income, very-low-income, low-income, or moderate-income person or persons.
Full Breakdown
2 governs accessory dwellings, which the City describes as 'granny flats' or cottages. An accessory dwelling is permitted only when accessory to a standard single-family dwelling in the RS-8, RD-15, RC-15, RM-15, RML-25, RMM-25, RMH-25 and RMH-60 zoning districts, with no more than one accessory dwelling per single-family lot. The unit is limited to either a one-bedroom/one-bath unit or an efficiency, and may not exceed 600 square feet of gross floor area or 49% of the gross floor area of the principal structure, whichever is less.
The dwelling must have a separate entrance and, where attached to another accessory structure, must be separated from it by a common fire-resistant wall, and parking must be provided per ULDR Section 47-20. ' A building permit application that relies on the state ADU statute must include an affidavit attesting the unit will be rented at an affordable rate to extremely-low-, very-low-, low-, or moderate-income persons.
Violations & Fines
Building or occupying an accessory dwelling without zoning approval and a building permit can result in code-enforcement action, daily fines, and an order to remove the unit or restore the structure to a permitted use. Units exceeding the one-bedroom and 600-square-foot caps, or located outside the permitted districts, are not approvable and may be cited as illegal second dwelling units.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can an accessory dwelling be in Fort Lauderdale?
Where are accessory dwellings allowed in Fort Lauderdale?
Does Florida state law let cities allow ADUs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Lauderdale
How Fort Lauderdale compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Fort Lauderdale to another location·View the Florida accessory structures overview
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ADU Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Broward County handle adu rules.