Fort Lauderdale, FL Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Fort Lauderdale's Unified Land Development Regulations (ULDR) Section 47-19.2 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. The City's local authority to allow these units rests on Florida Statute 163.31771, which permits a local government to adopt an ordinance allowing accessory dwelling units in any area zoned for single-family residential use; under the state statute an ADU is defined as '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 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.