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

Some Restrictions

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

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

Key Facts

Code section: SCLDC Sec. 30.6.1.3
Owner-occupancy: Required in ADU or primary home
Short-term rental: Prohibited; 30-day minimum lease
Separate sale: Not allowed
Parking: One off-street space required

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 Seminole County, FL rules below cover local size, height, and setback requirements.

Summary

Unincorporated Seminole County allows accessory dwelling units under Land Development Code Sec. 30.6.1.3, but the owner must live in either the ADU or the primary home, the ADU can't be sold separately, and it can't be used as a short-term rental.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Seminole County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

ADUs shall not be subdivided or otherwise conveyed into separate ownership from the PDU. ADUs shall be rented or leased for a minimum period of thirty (30) days, and may not be utilized as a short-term rental property.

View official code

Full Breakdown

The county's ADU standards (SCLDC 30.6.1.3) tie an ADU to the primary dwelling on the same parcel. One unit or the other must always be occupied by the property owner, and the ADU cannot be subdivided or conveyed into separate ownership. Any rental must be for a minimum of 30 days, so vacation/short-term rental of an ADU is prohibited. At least one off-street parking space must serve the ADU on the same driveway as the primary home, and it may not sit in a required buffer, setback, or to the rear of the unit. HOA covenants may add stricter limits. Inside the cities (Sanford, Oviedo, etc.) city zoning governs instead.

Violations & Fines

Using the ADU contrary to the signed owner acknowledgment can trigger Seminole County Code Enforcement action, since zoning approval is contingent on the stated use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent my Seminole County ADU on Airbnb?

No. The county requires ADUs to be leased for a minimum of 30 days and prohibits their use as a short-term rental property.

Do I have to live on the property to have an ADU?

Yes. One unit or the other, the ADU or the primary dwelling, must at all times be occupied by the property owner.

Sources & Official References

[1]Seminole County Building Division, ADU Owner Statement of Acknowledgment (SCLDC 30.6.1.3)

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All Seminole County rules

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

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