Accessory Structures in Broward County, FL (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Broward County, Florida.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Broward County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

ADU Rules

Broward County permits accessory dwelling units in several zoning districts, typically capped at 800 square feet or 40 percent of the primary home, with owner-occupancy and one off-street parking space.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules in Broward County

Some Restrictions

Florida Senate Bill 184 (2025) — Housing (creates Fla. Stat. § 163.31771, Accessory dwelling units)

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 density bonus incentive to landowners who make certain real property donations to assist in ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

ADU Rental Restrictions

An accessory dwelling on unincorporated Broward land isn't just a size question, it's a rental-affordability commitment. Section 39-272 caps an ADU at fifty percent of the main house (minimum 500 square feet), limits a lot to one unit, and requires the building-permit applicant to swear, by affidavit, that the finished unit will be rented at an affordable rate to a low- or moderate-income household.

Broward County ADU Affordable Rental Rule

Some Restrictions

Broward County Code § 39-272

(a)The maximum size of an accessory dwelling shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the principal structure, but not less than five hundred (500) square feet.(b)Only one (1) accessory dwelling shall be permitted per single family lot.(c)An accessory dwelling shall have at a minimum one (1) bedroom, one (1) bathroom, and a separate entrance from the outside.(d)One (1) off-street parking space s...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Shed & Carport Rules

In unincorporated Broward County, accessory buildings like sheds must sit at least 5 feet from side and rear property lines, stay one story on single-family lots, and cannot exceed 5% of the plot area.

Broward County Shed Size and Setback Rules

Some Restrictions

Broward County Code § 39-275(3)(d)-(i)

(d)On a plot containing a one-family detached or two family dwelling, side and rear yards not abutting a street may be reduced to five (5) feet for accessory uses and buildings.(e)Accessory buildings may not exceed one story on any plot containing a one-family detached dwelling.(f)Accessory buildings shall not exceed half the height of any principal building on plots containing two-family or mu...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗