5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Lee County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
One accessory apartment or accessory dwelling unit is allowed per single-family residence in unincorporated Lee County. Living area is capped at 60 percent of the principal home's living area, and one extra off-street parking space is required on-site.
Lee County LDC Sec. 34-1177(a)(3), (b)(2)
A maximum of one accessory apartment or one accessory dwelling unit is permitted per principal, single-family residence... The maximum living area for the accessory apartment or accessory dwelling unit is 60 percent of the living area of the principal, single-family residence.
In unincorporated Lee County, residential accessory buildings such as sheds must be set back at least five feet from any rear property line and no closer to a side line than the district's required side setback or ten feet, whichever is less. Building Code compliance is required.
Lee County LDC Sec. 34-1174(d)(2)
Except as provided in Sections 34-1175 and 34-1176, all accessory residential buildings and structures must be set back a minimum of five feet from any rear property line and may not be closer to a side property line than the minimum required side setback for the district in which the property is located, or ten feet, whichever is less.
A converted garage or accessory building attached to the house must meet all principal-building rules; if detached, it follows accessory-structure setbacks. Converting a garage into living space or an accessory apartment triggers building permits and the one-unit-per-home ADU limit.
Lee County LDC Sec. 34-1173(b)(1)-(2)
Any accessory building or structure which is structurally a part of the principal building shall comply in all respects with the regulations for a principal building. Any accessory building or structure not structurally made a part of the principal building shall comply with the location requirements set forth in Section 34-1174.
Carports are accessory structures that must sit on the same lot and zoning as the home and meet accessory setbacks. Related recreational structures like cabanas are limited to recreational use only, with overnight sleeping and stoves or ovens prohibited.
Lee County LDC Sec. 34-1182(a), (c), (d)
A cabana may be used only for recreational purposes... Overnight sleeping in a cabana is prohibited. Installation and use of stoves, cooktops, ranges or ovens within the cabana is prohibited.
Lee County has no separate tiny-home category. A permanent tiny home on a foundation is treated as a single-family dwelling or, if secondary to a main house, as an accessory dwelling unit under LDC Sec. 34-1177, subject to the 60-percent living-area cap and Florida Building Code.
Lee County LDC Sec. 34-1177(b)(2)
The maximum living area for the accessory apartment or accessory dwelling unit is 60 percent of the living area of the principal, single-family residence.
2 cities in Lee County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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