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Medina, OH Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

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

Key Facts

Suite limit: One in-law suite per detached dwelling
Size cap: Up to 40% of the dwelling's gross floor area
Utilities: No separate gas or electric service allowed
Location: Cannot be located in a detached accessory building
Section: Zoning Code § 1155.13

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 Ohio under recent ADU streamlining laws. The Medina, OH rules below cover local size, height, and setback requirements.

Summary

Medina allows one in-law suite per detached single-family dwelling, capped at forty percent of the home's total gross floor area, with no separate gas or electric utilities and no placement in a detached accessory building. Zoning Code Section 1155.13 sets these accessory dwelling standards.

(a) A maximum of one in-law suite is permitted per detached dwelling. (b) An in-law suite shall not be any greater than forty percent (40%) of the total gross floor area of the dwelling. ... (e) The in-law suite shall not have separate gas and electric utilities. (f) The in-law suite shall not be located in any detached accessory building.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025-01: Local legislation current through June 24, 2025 | State legislation current through December 31, 2024).

Full Breakdown

13 of Medina's Zoning Code permits the construction of an in-law suite within a single-family dwelling, subject to six conditions. Subsection (a) limits a detached dwelling to a maximum of one in-law suite. Subsection (b) caps its size at no greater than forty percent of the total gross floor area of the dwelling, tying the suite's footprint to the size of the home rather than a flat square-footage number. Subsection (e) requires that the suite not have separate gas and electric utilities from the main dwelling, and subsection (f) bars locating the suite in any detached accessory building, so a converted garage or freestanding structure does not qualify no matter how it is finished inside.

Subsection (g) notes that interior modifications to create the suite may require review and approval by the Building Department, layering a building-permit step on top of the zoning conditions. These standards work together with the occupancy limits in subsections (c) and (d), which restrict who may live in the suite and require internal access to the dwelling's common areas. 13 sits in the Zoning Code's use-and-development-standards chapter, an in-law suite that does not meet all six conditions is not a permitted accessory use and would need a different zoning process. 13 was adopted by Ordinance 109-14, passed June 23, 2014.

Violations & Fines

Building a second in-law suite on one detached dwelling, exceeding the forty percent floor-area cap, installing separate gas or electric utilities, or placing the suite in a detached accessory building all violate Section 1155.13 and are enforceable as Zoning Code violations. The Building Department can also require approval of interior modifications under subsection (g) before the suite is occupied.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big can an in-law suite be in Medina?

Section 1155.13(b) caps an in-law suite at no greater than forty percent of the dwelling's total gross floor area, and subsection (a) allows only one such suite per detached single-family dwelling.

Can I build an in-law suite over my detached garage in Medina?

No. Section 1155.13(f) bars locating an in-law suite in any detached accessory building, so it must be part of the single-family dwelling itself, not a converted garage or standalone structure.

Does an in-law suite need its own utility meters?

No. Section 1155.13(e) requires that the suite not have separate gas and electric utilities from the main dwelling, keeping it tied to the home's existing utility service.

Sources & Official References

[1]Codified Ordinances of Medina, Ohio § 1155.13

Other rules in Medina

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome Restrictions Shed & Carport RulesSome Restrictions Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard FiresSome Restrictions ADU Owner OccupancySignificant Restrictions ADU Rental RestrictionsHeavy Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Coyote ManagementHeavy Restrictions Fire Regulations: FireworksSignificant Restrictions Fire Regulations: Propane StorageSignificant Restrictions Fire Regulations: Outdoor BurningSignificant Restrictions

All Medina rules

How Medina compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Compare Medina to another location·View the Ohio accessory structures overview

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