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ADUs are allowed in Gulf Shores
Types:DetachedInternal

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Gulf Shores, AL

Is your property eligible for an ADU?

# of Parcels
10,334
Zoning districts
57
Avg Parcel Value
$647,114
Median Parcel Size
0.29 acres
Zoning Districts:
10,290 parcels · 57 districts
R-1-4
24%(2,432)
R-1-5
21%(2,126)
PUD-RPC
9%(944)
R-2
9%(875)
Other
38%(3,913)

ADU Rules

What can you build in Gulf Shores, AL?

Gulf Shores, AL follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.

Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits

  • Maximum ADU size of 30% of the principal dwelling’s footprint
  • Maximum ADU size of 1,200 sq ft

Detached ADU Size Limits

  • Maximum size is the lesser of 1,200 sq ft or 30% of the principal dwelling’s footprint.

Owner Occupancy

  • ADU occupancy tied to on-site principal dwelling occupant

Parking

  • 1 space per detached ADU (in addition to principal-dwelling parking); no extra driveway for the ADU except from a rear alley or from the other frontage on a standard corner lot; must not conflict with principal-dwelling parking.

Rental Restrictions

  • ADU may not be rented as a separate unit; occupancy limited to guests, relatives, or servants of the principal dwelling.
  • Short-term/vacation rentals prohibited in residential districts R-1 through R-5; cannot be licensed as a vacation rental.

What's allowed on your lot?

These are the municipality-wide rules. What's allowed on a specific property also depends on state laws, setbacks, floor area ratio, lot coverage, environmental constraints, topography, and other property-specific factors. Search your address on FutureLot to see what's allowed on your property.

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Is your property eligible for an ADU?

ADU rules in other Alabama municipalities

Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.

Baldwin County

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