Dunnellon, FL Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)

Marion County's Land Development Code does not contain a section dedicated to garage conversions, so the Florida default applies. Under Florida Statutes Sec. 553.79(1)(a), it is unlawful to construct, erect, alter, modify, repair, or demolish any building in the state without first obtaining a permit from the appropriate enforcing agency, which for unincorporated Marion County is the Marion County Building Safety division. A garage-to-living-space conversion is an alteration that creates habitable space and therefore must meet the Florida Building Code and Florida Residential Code requirements for habitable rooms, including minimum ceiling heights, emergency egress in sleeping rooms, ventilation, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, energy-code insulation, and, for attached garages, required fire separation. Under Florida Statutes Sec. 553.792(1)(a), the county must act on a complete residential/accessory-structure permit application within 30 business days for structures under 7,500 square feet. Converted floor area must also remain consistent with the lot's zoning use and any density limits, and a separate independent dwelling unit would be treated as a family/guest cottage/apartment under LDC Sec. 4.3.18.