Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Tampa Bay
Garage conversions, backyard cottages, in-law suites, and modular builds — Florida's 2023 ADU law opened the door. We'll help you build through it.
What Is an ADU?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a secondary housing unit on a single-family residential lot — a separate living space with its own kitchen, bathroom, and entrance, either attached to or detached from the main home.
ADUs go by many names: in-law suite, granny flat, backyard cottage, carriage house, garage apartment. Whatever you call it, the result is the same: a second livable unit on your property that you own outright.
Until recently, many Florida municipalities blocked ADUs entirely. That changed in 2023.
Rental Income
A permitted ADU in Tampa Bay can generate $1,200–$2,500/month in long-term rental income, or significantly more as a short-term rental. Most ADUs pay for themselves within 5–10 years.
Multigenerational Living
House aging parents or adult children on the same property with privacy and independence. One of the fastest-growing reasons Tampa Bay homeowners are building ADUs.
Property Value
An ADU adds rentable square footage and a second income stream — both highly valued by buyers. Permitted ADUs typically increase resale value by more than the build cost.
Housing Flexibility
Use it as a home office, art studio, or gym today — convert to rental or guest house later. ADUs add optionality to your property that doesn't exist without one.
Florida HB 1339 — ADUs Are Now Your Right
In 2023, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 1339, one of the most significant housing policy changes in Florida history. The bill requires every city and county in Florida to allow ADUs by right in any area zoned for single-family residential use.
Before HB 1339, many Tampa Bay municipalities — including parts of Hillsborough and Pasco counties — either prohibited ADUs outright or made permitting so restrictive that most homeowners gave up. HB 1339 changed that by preempting those local restrictions.
What this means for you: If you own a single-family home in Tampa Bay, you can now apply for an ADU permit regardless of what your city or county previously allowed. Local setback requirements, maximum sizes, and design standards still apply — but the blanket "no ADUs" rule is gone.
Note: Regulations continue to evolve. HOA restrictions are not preempted by state law. We recommend confirming current local rules during your site consultation.
Types of ADUs We Build
The right ADU type depends on your lot, budget, and goals. Here's a breakdown of every option.
Detached ADU
A fully separate structure built in your backyard — independent foundation, utilities, and entrance. Maximizes privacy for both the main home and the ADU. Great for long-term rental income or a dedicated multigenerational suite.
Garage Conversion
Convert an attached or detached garage into a fully habitable living unit. Existing structure reduces construction cost significantly. Requires upgraded insulation, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and egress windows to meet Florida Building Code.
Attached ADU
An addition built onto the side or rear of your existing home with a separate entrance. Shares a wall but has independent living space. Ideal when lot size limits a detached structure but you still want a full ADU.
Interior / Basement Conversion
Convert an existing interior space — bonus room, over-garage apartment, or finished attic — into a permitted ADU. Requires a separate entrance, egress, and compliance with minimum size and ceiling height requirements.
Junior ADU (JADU)
A smaller unit (up to 500 sq ft) created entirely within the existing footprint of the primary residence. May share some facilities. Florida's ADU law specifically recognizes JADUs as a permitted use. Lower cost and fewer permitting hurdles than a full ADU.
Modular / Prefab ADU
Factory-built modules delivered and assembled on your lot. Shorter on-site construction time, more predictable pricing, and factory quality control. We manage foundation prep, utility connections, and final inspection.
Our ADU Build Process
ADU projects require navigating local regulations, permits, and multiple trades. We handle all of it under one contract.
Site & Feasibility Review
We evaluate your lot for ADU placement, setbacks, utility access, and local zoning rules. We flag any constraints before you commit.
Design & Permit Filing
We work with your designer or connect you with one. We prepare permit documents and submit to your local building department.
Construction & Inspections
Foundation, framing, MEP rough-in, insulation, drywall, finishes. Phase inspections at each milestone ensure code compliance.
Final Walkthrough & CO
We complete your punch list, schedule the final inspection, and deliver the Certificate of Occupancy — your ADU is legally habitable.
ADU FAQ
Common questions from Tampa Bay homeowners planning an ADU.
Does Florida law allow me to build an ADU?
Yes. Florida HB 1339 (signed 2023) requires local governments to allow ADUs by right in any area zoned for single-family residential use. This was a major shift — municipalities that previously blocked ADUs are now required to permit them. Some local regulations on size, setbacks, and design still apply, but the blanket prohibition is gone.
What is Florida HB 1339 and how does it affect me?
HB 1339, signed by Governor DeSantis in 2023, is Florida's ADU legalization bill. It preempts local ordinances that prohibited ADUs in single-family zones and requires cities and counties to adopt ADU-friendly regulations. As a homeowner, this means you can now apply for an ADU permit in most Florida municipalities where you previously couldn't. Local rules on maximum size (often 1,200 sq ft or 65% of the primary home), setbacks, and parking may still apply.
Do I need permits to build an ADU in Tampa Bay?
Yes. All ADUs require building permits regardless of type. We handle the full permit application, inspections, and certificate of occupancy. Never build an unpermitted ADU — it creates title issues, voids homeowner's insurance, and must be disclosed (or demolished) at resale.
Can I use my ADU as an Airbnb or short-term rental?
Short-term rental rules vary by municipality and HOA. Hillsborough and Pasco counties have different regulations, and some areas require a business license or restrict rental duration. We recommend confirming local STR rules before designing your ADU around that use case.
How large can my ADU be?
Under HB 1339, Florida municipalities can set size limits but generally cannot restrict ADUs below 750 sq ft for detached units or below 500 sq ft for JADUs. Many local ordinances allow up to 1,200 sq ft or 65% of the primary home's size, whichever is less. We'll confirm the specific limits for your parcel during the site evaluation.
Can I rent out the ADU if I don't live on the property?
Florida law removed the owner-occupancy requirement that many municipalities previously imposed. Under HB 1339, you are generally not required to live in either the primary home or the ADU to rent out the ADU, though local ordinances may still apply in some cases.
How long does ADU construction take?
Timeline varies by type: garage conversions typically run 2–4 months; detached ADUs 4–8 months. Permitting alone can take 4–12 weeks depending on the municipality. We factor permit timelines into your project schedule so there are no surprises.
What utilities does an ADU need?
A full ADU needs a kitchen (or kitchenette), bathroom, sleeping area, and its own HVAC, electrical panel, and plumbing connections. It can share a water/sewer connection with the primary home (with a sub-meter) or have a fully separate service. We coordinate all utility work as part of the project scope.
Will an ADU affect my property taxes?
Yes — adding a permitted structure increases assessed value and property taxes. The increase is generally modest relative to the rental income or value added. A detached ADU might add $800–$2,500/year in property taxes depending on size and location.
What's the minimum lot size required for a detached ADU?
There's no statewide minimum, but setback requirements (how far the structure must sit from property lines) effectively determine whether a detached ADU fits on your lot. Most municipalities require 5–10 ft rear and side setbacks. We assess this during the site visit before any design work begins.
Serving Tampa Bay
We build ADUs throughout the Tampa Bay region. Each municipality has different setback requirements, permit timelines, and size limits — we navigate all of it.
Ready to Build Your ADU?
Start with a site consultation. We'll walk your property, assess feasibility, review local regulations, and put together a written scope and proposal.
- Free site evaluation
- Written scope & fixed-price proposal
- Full permit management
- Licensed GC oversight start to finish