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Lee County, FL Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

ADU rules in Lee County, FL, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.

Key Facts

Maximum per home: One apartment or one dwelling unit
Size cap: 60 percent of principal living area
Parking: One additional space, provided on site
Lot: Lawfully existing lot of record
Density: ADU counts toward Lee Plan density

ADU Eligibility Quick-Check

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent living unit on the same lot as a single-family home: converted garages, detached cottages, basement or attic conversions, and attached additions all qualify. Most states have streamlined ADU permitting since 2020, but local rules still control size, height, and setback.

Is your lot zoned single-family or multi-family residential?
Does your lot have at least 1,200 sq ft of buildable space?
Is your existing home owner-occupied (in most states this is not required, but some require it for ADU permits)?
Will the ADU stay under your state's size cap (commonly 850-1,200 sq ft for detached)?
Can you provide one off-street parking space (waived in many states within 0.5 mi of transit)?

If you answered 'yes' to most of these, you likely qualify in Florida under recent ADU streamlining laws. The Lee County, FL rules below cover local size, height, and setback requirements.

Summary

Lee County allows one accessory apartment or one accessory dwelling unit per principal single-family residence. Living area is capped at 60 percent of the main home, and one extra parking space must be provided on site.

City-specific rules exist: Fort Myers, and Cape Coral have their own adu rules rules that differ from Lee County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

A maximum of one accessory apartment or one accessory dwelling unit is permitted per principal, single-family residence... The maximum living area for the accessory apartment or accessory dwelling unit is 60 percent of the living area of the principal, single-family residence.

Source: Lee County Code of Ordinances & Land Development Code (Municode)View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 7 | Land Development Code: Supplement 3 Update 3).

Full Breakdown

LDC Sec. 34-1177 governs accessory apartments and accessory dwelling units. Only one of either is permitted per principal single-family residence, except as excluded by Sec. 34-1180(b). Maximum living area is 60 percent of the living area of the principal residence, and nonliving areas are excluded from that computation. One additional off-street parking space is required beyond Sec. 34-2020(a), and all required parking must be on site. The property must be a lawfully existing lot of record or meet the zoning district's minimum lot area, width and depth. An accessory apartment is not subject to Lee Plan density; an accessory dwelling unit is, and pays impact fees.

Violations & Fines

An unpermitted unit is a Land Development Code violation. The Hearing Examiner may impose $25.00 to $1,000.00 per day for a first violation and $50.00 to $5,000.00 per day for a repeat violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big can a Lee County ADU be?

The maximum living area for the accessory apartment or accessory dwelling unit is 60 percent of the living area of the principal single-family residence, under LDC Sec. 34-1177(b)(2). Nonliving areas are excluded.

Can I have two ADUs on one lot?

No. A maximum of one accessory apartment or one accessory dwelling unit is permitted per principal single-family residence, except as excluded by Sec. 34-1180(b).

Sources & Official References

[1]Lee County LDC Sec. 34-1177 (Municode)

Other rules in Lee County

Shed & Carport RulesSome Restrictions Tiny HomesSome Restrictions Garage ConversionsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: MicrochippingSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterHeavy Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Wildlife FeedingHeavy Restrictions Fire Regulations: Propane StorageSome Restrictions Right to Farm: Farm Nuisance ProtectionFew Restrictions

All Lee County rules

How Lee County compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Lee County to another location·View the Florida accessory structures overview

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ADU Rules in Cities Across Lee County

Cape Coral, FL Fort Myers, FL