5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Osceola County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Osceola County allows one accessory living unit (ALU) or guest home per conforming lot. It may be rented only if the primary home has a homestead exemption, and only for long-term tenancy — short-term rental of an ALU is prohibited.
Osceola County LDC § 3.6.1
Accessory living units (ALUs) are permitted to be rented out only if the primary structure has a homestead exemption and, in this instance, shall only be rented out for long-term (not intended for short-term rentals) time periods. No more than one accessory living unit or guest home shall be permitted per conforming lot.
In unincorporated Osceola County, ancillary accessory structures such as sheds must sit at least 5 feet behind the front entry of the main house and at least 5 feet from the rear and side property lines under the Land Development Code.
Osceola County LDC Art. 3.6 (Residential Use Siting Standards)
Accessory uses listed as ancillary in the siting standards shall be placed a minimum of five (5) feet behind the front entry of the principal structure and a minimum of five (5) feet from rear and side property lines. Accessory structures such as but not limited to garages, sheds, carports, accessory living units, or barns are exempt from this requirement.
Converting a garage into living space in unincorporated Osceola County is treated as an accessory living unit or added habitable area — it needs a building permit, must meet the Florida Building Code, and if it becomes a separate dwelling it is capped at one ALU per lot.
Osceola County LDC Art. 3.6 (Adequate Storage)
Adequate Storage. Where a garage is not provided, a minimum of forty (40) square feet of enclosed storage area shall be constructed so that residents will have space to store bulky personal effects (i.e., recreational equipment).
In unincorporated Osceola County, carports are accessory structures that are exempt from the 'behind the front entry' placement rule but must meet the required front and corner setbacks of the zoning district and the Florida Building Code.
Osceola County LDC Art. 3.6 (Residential Use Siting Standards)
Accessory structures such as garage(s), carport(s) or like uses are exempt from this requirement and shall meet the required front and corner setbacks. Uses not listed as ancillary in the siting standards shall meet principal setbacks of the respective zoning district.
Osceola County has no dedicated 'tiny home' category. A permanent tiny house is treated as a dwelling that must meet zoning density, setbacks and the Florida Building Code; RVs, manufactured or mobile homes used as a 'temporary residence' need Board of Adjustment variance approval and a 15-foot separation from the
Osceola County LDC § 3.6.1 (Temporary Residence)
Temporary Residence. Deviations from the siting standards for a temporary residence, including the use of a recreational vehicle as such, must be approved as a variance by the Board of Adjustment. Manufactured homes and mobile homes are approved as a temporary residence and shall comply with the following standards. Shall be located a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from the principal dwelling.
1 cities in Osceola County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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