Accessory Structures in Independence, MO (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Independence, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In Independence's Historic Downtown Square District, one accessory dwelling unit per lot is allowed inside the main house or an existing accessory building, capped at 1,200 square feet, with the owner required to live on-site.
Independence Downtown Square ADU Standards
Some RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance § 14-901-04-B
Where permitted, secondary dwelling units accessory to the principal residential use are subject to the following standards:a)One accessory dwelling unit is allowed per lot.b)ADUs shall be located within the principal building (such as an attic or basement apartment), or within an existing detached accessory building.c)The accessory dwelling shall not exceed 50% of the living area of the princi...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Within Independence's West Central Overlay District, the lot owner must live in either the main house or the ADU, never rent out both at once, with a six-month annual absence allowance.
Independence ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance § 14-912-04-M
14-912-04-M.Owner Occupancy. The legal property owner of the lot shall be required to reside in either the primary residence or an accessory dwelling unit located on the lot, except for temporary absences not to exceed a combined total of six months in a calendar year. ADU and single-family residences cannot be rented at the same time. Exceptions to this requirement may be submitted by non-prof...
ADU Rental Restrictions
ADUs in Independence's West Central Overlay District can't be rented for under 30 days unless approved as a bed and breakfast, and any non-owner-occupied ADU falls under the city's Rental Ready program.
Independence ADU Short-Term Rental Limit
Significant RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance §§ 14-912-04-K, 14-912-04-L
14-912-04-K.Short-Term Lodging. The accessory dwelling unit shall not be rented for periods of less than 30 days unless approved as a bed and breakfast in accordance with Section 14-420.14-912-04-L.Rental Occupancy. Any accessory dwelling unit or single-family residence that is not owner-occupied shall be subject to the Rental Ready Program of Chapter 4 of the City Code unless it is unoccupied....
Shed & Carport Rules
Independence requires a 5-foot interior setback for detached accessory buildings and sheds in most residential districts, caps their height at 25 feet, and exempts only sheds of 120 square feet or less from a building permit.
Accessory Shed Rules in Independence, MO
Some RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance § 14-400-01-C
Interior Setbacks. ...In all other R districts, detached accessory buildings and structures must be set back at least five feet from all interior lot lines. ...Height of Accessory Structures. ...accessory structures may not exceed 25 feet in height, or the height of the principal building on the same lot, whichever is less. ...Building Coverage. In R districts, detached accessory buildings may ...
Tiny Homes
Independence has no standalone tiny-home zoning; a tiny house is only legal as a West Central Overlay District ADU, capped between 300 and 900 square feet and built to the IRC Tiny House appendix.
Independence Tiny House ADU Standard
Some RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance § 14-912-04-N
14-912-04-N.Building Code. All ADUs shall comply with the currently adopted International Residential Code appendix related to "Tiny Houses."14-912-04-O.Notice to Neighboring Property Owners. All contiguous property owners shall receive 15 days notice of the plan to build an ADU. If more than 50 percent of contiguous property owners file a letter of protest with the City during the 15 day timef...
Looking for Jackson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Independence city rules.
Accessory Structures in Jackson County →