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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified April 2026

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

Key Facts

Max size
800 sq ft or 40 percent
Owner occupancy
Generally required
Parking
1 additional space
Separate sale
Not allowed
HVHZ windows
Impact-rated required

Summary

Broward County permits accessory dwelling units in several zoning districts, typically capped at 800 square feet or 40 percent of the primary home, with owner-occupancy and one off-street parking space.

City-specific rules exist: Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach, and Coral Springs have their own adu rules rules that differ from Broward County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Housing; Authorizing a landlord to accept reusable tenant screening reports and require a specified statement; requiring, rather than authorizing, local governments to adopt, by a specified date, an ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units in certain areas; authorizing a local government to provide a density bonus incentive to landowners who make certain real property donations to assist in the provision of affordable housing for military families; requiring the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to evaluate the efficacy of using mezzanine finance and the potential of tiny homes for specified purposes, etc.

Source: Broward County Code Chapter 39View official code

Full Breakdown

Broward County Code Chapter 39 (Zoning) permits accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also called guest houses or granny flats, on single-family parcels in most residential districts. Detached ADUs must sit behind the primary home, observe the same side and rear setbacks as accessory structures, and generally cannot exceed 800 square feet or 40 percent of the primary residence gross area, whichever is less. Attached ADUs, including garage conversions, follow the principal-structure setbacks. Owner occupancy of either unit is typically required, and one additional off-street parking space must be provided. ADUs must connect to the primary water and sewer service and cannot be sold separately. Broward sits in the HVHZ, so impact-rated windows and doors or code-approved shutters are mandatory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent my Broward ADU on Airbnb?
Short-term rentals are heavily regulated by each municipality. Many Broward cities require a separate vacation-rental license.
Do I need a separate meter for my ADU?
No. Broward County code requires the ADU to share utilities with the primary home and not be separately metered in most districts.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Broward County

All Broward County rules

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

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ADU Rules in Cities Across Broward County