5 rules for unincorporated Santa Rosa County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Santa Rosa County allows a guest cottage (accessory dwelling / ADU) in every residential district. It may not exceed 50% of the main dwelling's floor area, needs a 60-foot front setback (or to sit behind the home's rear wall), and must meet the Florida Building Code.
Santa Rosa County LDC 5.02.06
The guest cottage shall not occupy more than 50% of the total floor area square footage of the main dwelling... The guest cottage shall have a front setback of 60 feet from the front property line or be behind the rear wall of the single family residence and shall maintain the same side and rear setbacks for the principle dwelling.
A residential storage shed up to 600 sq ft can be built in the unincorporated county WITHOUT a building permit (Ord. 2010-17), but it still must meet setbacks and height limits. On typical subdivision lots a detached shed must stay at least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines.
Santa Rosa County Ord. 2010-17 (Accessory Building Exemption)
The gross floor area, plus all covered area must not exceed 600 square feet. The structure must be subordinate to the main dwelling in most cases. The property cannot be located within a special flood hazard. This exemption does not apply to... Set back and height limit requirement.
Converting a detached garage or accessory building into living space in the unincorporated county turns it into a guest cottage/ADU once it has a stove or oven, triggering LDC 5.02.06 cottage standards and full Florida Building Code review.
Santa Rosa County LDC 5.02.06.4-5
An accessory structure with a stove and/or oven is defined as a guest cottage whereas an accessory structure without a stove and/or oven is not. Guest house or guest cottage must meet the requirements of the Florida Building Code in including the conversion of an accessory structure.
A carport is an accessory structure in the Santa Rosa County LDC. On subdivision lots a detached carport more than 10 feet from the home must be at least 5 feet from side/rear lot lines and out of the front setback, and it counts toward lot-coverage and impervious-surface limits.
Santa Rosa County LDC 5.02.01.D.4.b
Any accessory structure located over ten (10) feet from a main dwelling may be constructed no closer than five (5) feet of any interior side or rear lot line; provided, however, that such accessory buildings may not be located within the front setback.
The Santa Rosa County LDC defines a tiny home as a single-family residential structure under 400 sq ft on a permanent foundation. A tiny home on wheels is treated as a recreational vehicle (RV), not a permanent dwelling, so it follows RV rules rather than housing standards.
Santa Rosa County LDC, Article 1 (Definitions)
Tiny Home – A single family residential structure under 400 sq. ft. built on a permanent foundation. Tiny Home on Wheels – A tiny house constructed on wheels and legally registered as a recreational vehicle (RV).
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