Orlando, FL Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)

A garage conversion in Orlando is a change of occupancy from a U (utility) to an R (residential) classification under the Florida Building Code, requiring a building permit, plan review, and inspections by Orlando Permitting Services. The application must include floor plans showing the new room layout, framing details for any infill of the garage door opening (typically requiring a structural header and new wall framing per FBC wind-load requirements), an energy code calculation (the conditioned envelope is expanding so new wall, ceiling, and floor insulation must meet the FBC Energy Conservation chapter), a mechanical plan showing how the existing HVAC will serve the new conditioned space (often a separate mini-split is added), an electrical plan showing required residential circuits, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, AFCI/GFCI protection, and code-required outlet spacing, and a plumbing plan if a bathroom or kitchenette is added. Habitable rooms must have minimum 7-foot ceiling heights, natural light equal to at least 8 percent of floor area, ventilation via openable windows or mechanical means, and emergency escape and rescue openings (a window with at least 5.7 sq ft openable area, 24-inch minimum opening height, 20-inch minimum opening width, and sill no more than 44 inches above the floor) in any sleeping room. Wind-borne debris protection (impact glass or shutters) is required for any new openings since Orlando is a wind-borne debris region. Zoning code typically requires a minimum number of off-street parking spaces (usually 2 for a single-family home). When the garage is converted, the lost parking must be replaced - typically by extending the driveway or paving an additional pad in compliance with the city's impervious surface limits and front-yard paving rules. If the converted space includes a kitchen and is to be used as a separate dwelling unit, it qualifies as an ADU and triggers all the ADU requirements (owner occupancy, size limits, separate addressing, impact fees, etc.). Garage conversions performed without a permit are common and create serious problems on resale: they frequently fail home inspections (no permit history, no insulation, undersized electrical, no egress), and Orlando can require remediation or restoration of the original garage. Insurance carriers may also deny claims for unpermitted habitable space.