How Hollywood Handles Accessory Structures: A Practical Guide

Hollywood maintains 116 local ordinances across all categories, and 9 of those deal specifically with accessory structures. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Hollywood falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

ADU Rental Restrictions

ADUs rented long-term (30+ days) in Hollywood face no zoning-based restrictions beyond ordinary residential standards. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) fall under Florida Statute §509.032(7), which preempts outright local STR bans, and under Hollywood's local STR ordinance requiring an annual permit of approximately $250-$500. Broward County 6% Tourist Development Tax plus Florida state 6% sales tax = 12% combined transient tax.

Key details: Long-Term: Permitted, no city license. STR City Permit: ~$250-$500 annual. STR State Preemption: FL §509.032(7). Tourist Tax: 6% Broward + 6% state = 12%. DBPR License: Required (FL §509.241).

Operating an STR without the Hollywood city permit: daily code-enforcement fines, lien against the property, suspension of future permit. Failure to collect Tourist Development Tax: Broward County Tax Collector enforcement plus state Department of Revenue penalties and interest. Operating without DBPR license: state administrative fines.

ADU Permits

Hollywood accessory dwelling units are permitted under the Hollywood Zoning and Land Development Regulations in residential districts that allow accessory residential uses, subject to lot-size, setback, and parking standards. The City of Hollywood Building Division issues permits under the Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023) HVHZ provisions. Florida HB 1031 (2024), codified at FL Statute §163.31771, encourages municipalities to allow ADUs in single-family zones.

Key details: Code: Hollywood Zoning & LDR (Part III). State Law: FL §163.31771 (HB 1031, 2024). Building Code: FBC 8th Ed (HVHZ). Permit Agency: Hollywood Building Division. Flood Compliance: FBC §1612 + Broward Ch. 39.

Constructing an ADU without permits triggers a Hollywood Code Compliance Notice of Violation, daily fines accruing as a lien on the property, mandatory permit-after-the-fact at double fees, or removal. Building below BFE in a VE zone without breakaway walls: order to elevate or floodproof at owner's cost; insurance claims may be denied.

ADU Impact Fees

Hollywood ADUs are subject to Broward County impact fees (roads, schools, parks) under the Broward County Code, plus City of Hollywood building permit and plan-review fees. Florida Statute §163.31801 (Florida Impact Fee Act) caps annual increases and requires demonstrated need for any rate increase.

Key details: County Authority: Broward County Code. State Authority: FL §163.31801 (Impact Fee Act). Fee Categories: Roads, schools, parks. Annual Cap: Inflation-adjusted (§163.31801(6)). City Fees: Hollywood Building Div schedule.

Building permit will not issue without proof of impact fee payment. Construction without permits exposes the project to permit-after-the-fact at double fees, and the County may file a lien for unpaid impact fees against the parcel.

ADU Owner Occupancy

Hollywood does not impose an owner-occupancy mandate on accessory dwelling units. Florida HB 1031 (2024), codified at FL §163.31771, encourages municipalities to allow ADUs without unduly restrictive conditions. Florida Homestead Exemption (FL Constitution Art. VII §6) applies only to the owner's primary residence — renting both units forfeits the exemption and the Save Our Homes 3% assessment cap.

Key details: City Requirement: None. State Policy: FL §163.31771 (HB 1031). Homestead Risk: Lost if owner moves out. HOA Authority: FL Ch. 720 (private rules). Save Our Homes: 3% cap resets on non-homestead.

City-level: none for owner-occupancy. Homestead loss: Broward County Property Appraiser backbills lost exemption with penalties and interest. HOA: private fines per declaration, capped at $100/day under FL §720.305.

Hollywood is more permissive than most cities when it comes to adu owner occupancy. That said, there are still limits.

Shed Rules

Accessory structures including sheds require building permits in Hollywood for most sizes. Contact Hollywood Building Services for permit requirements. Must comply with FL Building Code and HVHZ standards.

Key details: Permit: Required for most shed construction. HVHZ: Broward County — 170 mph wind design applies. FL Building Code: Must comply with FBC. Contact: Building Services: 954-921-3335.

Sheds exceeding coverage limits, placed in prohibited locations, or used as living space: Code Enforcement citation. Non-compliant structures may be ordered removed.

Garage Conversions

Garage conversions in Hollywood require building permits and must comply with FL Building Code and HVHZ standards. Under FL §163.31771 and SB-48 (2025), garage conversions to ADUs must be permitted. Contact Hollywood Building Services.

Key details: Permit: Building permit required. ADU Conversion: Must be permitted per FL §163.31771 + SB-48. HVHZ: 170 mph wind design standards apply. Contact: Building Services: 954-921-3335.

Unpermitted conversion: building code violation. Creating an unauthorized apartment: zoning violation. Losing required parking without variance: zoning violation. Fines through Special Magistrate.

ADU Rules

FL §163.31771 (2024) requires cities with >75,000 population to allow ADUs in single-family zones. Hollywood (pop. ~150,000) must comply. Florida SB-48 (2025) strengthens the mandate: cities cannot ban ADUs, cannot cap size below 1,000 sq ft, and cannot require owner-occupancy. Hollywood's traditional code restricted second cooking facilities; state law now supersedes. Contact Planning for current rules.

Key details: State Law: FL §163.31771 (2024) + SB-48 (2025). ADU Required: Must be allowed in single-family zones. Max Size: Cannot cap below 1,000 sq ft. Owner-Occupancy: Cannot be required as blanket condition. Contact: Hollywood Planning: 954-921-3471.

Unpermitted habitable accessory structures: building code violation, potential demolition order. Creating an unauthorized apartment: zoning violation. Fines through Special Magistrate.

Carport Rules

Carports in Hollywood FL require building permits. Setback requirements under Section 4.23 apply for encroachments in front, side, and rear yards. Carports count toward lot coverage. Florida Building Code wind load standards must be met. Materials must comply with zoning district requirements.

Key details: Permit Required: Yes. Setbacks: Per §4.23 supplemental regulations. Lot Coverage: Counts toward maximum. Wind Load: Florida Building Code standards. Contact: Building Division 954-921-3335.

Unpermitted carports are code violations. Structures violating setbacks may be required to be removed.

Tiny Homes

Florida SB 184 (effective July 2025) requires Hollywood to permit at least one ADU per single-family lot, including tiny homes on permanent foundations. Tiny homes on wheels are RVs and cannot be permanent residences. Full Florida Building Code compliance is required. Hollywood sets its own size limits and setback requirements.

Key details: On Foundation: Permitted as ADU (SB 184). On Wheels: RV — no permanent occupancy. Building Code: Full FL Building Code required. Permit: Required. Parking: Extra parking cannot be required.

Installing a tiny home without permits is a code violation. Using a tiny home on wheels as a permanent residence violates zoning.

The Bottom Line

Hollywood's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Hollywood is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Hollywood's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.