Accessory Structures in Tallahassee, FL (2026)
9 verified accessory structures rules for Tallahassee, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Tallahassee is a leader in Florida ADU policy with a 1,200 sq ft cap, citywide eligibility across all zoning districts, and no owner-occupancy requirement. The 2024 reform (Ordinance 24-O-03) removed former size constraints and streamlined approval to an administrative process.
Tallahassee ADU Rules & Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations
Few RestrictionsFla. SB 184 (2025) - Housing; requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units
mmittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development ; Community Affairs ; Gaetz Housing; Authorizing a landlord to accept reusable tenant screening reports and require a specified statement; requiring, rather than authorizing, local governments to adopt, by a specified date, an ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units in certain areas; authorizing a local government to provide a den...
ADU Permits
Tallahassee regulates ADUs through the Tallahassee Land Development Code (LDC), administered by the Department of Growth Management with permits issued by the joint City-County Growth Management Permitting and Inspections division. Florida HB 1031 (2024) — codified at Fla. Stat. § 163.31771 — directs local governments to consider and adopt ADU-enabling regulations but does not fully preempt local standards. Construction follows the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023).
Tallahassee ADU Permits (Land Development Code + FL HB 1031)
Some RestrictionsADU Impact Fees
Tallahassee imposes impact fees on residential construction including ADUs through the Concurrency Management System and Mobility Fee program, which replaced the prior transportation impact fee. Florida Statute 163.31801 governs municipal impact fees, and Florida HB 337 (2021) capped annual increases. Leon County School Impact Fees apply separately. Water and sewer system development charges are billed by the City of Tallahassee Utilities.
Tallahassee ADU Impact Fees (FS 163.31801; HB 337 Caps)
Some RestrictionsADU Owner Occupancy
The Tallahassee Land Development Code treats ADUs as accessory uses to the principal single-family dwelling and historically conditions approval on owner occupancy of one of the two units. Florida HB 1031 (Fla. Stat. § 163.31771, 2024) signals state preference for relaxing such conditions but does not directly invalidate existing local owner-occupancy rules. Fla. Stat. § 166.04151 supports affordable-housing flexibility.
Tallahassee ADU Owner-Occupancy (LDC Accessory Use; FL HB 1031 Considerations)
Some RestrictionsADU Rental Restrictions
Tallahassee permits long-term (30+ day) rental of ADUs as a single-household residential use consistent with the accessory-use framework. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are regulated by Florida at Fla. Stat. § 509.032, which preempts local short-term rental bans for properties licensed before 2011, plus the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Vacation Rental license and Leon County Tourist Development Tax. Florida prohibits local rent control under Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 and § 166.043.
Tallahassee ADU Rental Restrictions (Long-Term; STR Limited by FS 509.032)
Some RestrictionsShed Rules
Tallahassee regulates residential accessory structures through the Land Development Code and Florida Building Code. Sheds under 200 square feet may be exempt from building permits. Larger structures require permits and must meet setback requirements.
Tallahassee Shed Rules & Outbuilding Regulations
Some RestrictionsGarage Conversions
Garage conversions in Tallahassee require a building permit and must meet Florida Building Code standards for habitable space. The property must maintain required off-street parking. If creating a separate dwelling unit, the conversion may qualify as an ADU under the city's permissive ADU ordinance.
Tallahassee Garage Conversion Rules & Requirements
Some RestrictionsCarport Rules
Tallahassee requires all accessory structures, including carports, to maintain a 10-foot setback from every property line, stay out of front yards and side-corner yards, and sit at least 6 feet from any other structure on the lot.
Tallahassee Accessory Structure and Carport Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsTiny Homes
Tallahassee allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) up to 800 sq ft (1,000 sq ft when accessory to non-residential principal structures) in residential districts including RP-1, RP-2, R-1, and R-2 under the Land Development Code. Tiny homes on permanent foundations must comply with the Florida Building Code, which adopted IRC Appendix Q (tiny houses 400 sq ft or less) effective July 1, 2018.
Tiny Homes & ADUs in Tallahassee
Some RestrictionsLooking for Leon County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tallahassee city rules.
Accessory Structures in Leon County →