ADUs are allowed in GainesvilleTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Gainesville, FL
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
38,259
Owner-occupied
49%
Zoning districts
49
Avg Home Value
$351,936
Median Lot Size
0.23 acres
Avg Income
$64,591
Residential Types:
38,259 housing units
Single Family
65%
Apts (4+ units)
4%
Condos
27%
Other
4%
Zoning Districts:
75,402 parcels · 49 districts
SF
25%(18,530)
RMF8
19%(14,606)
PD
14%(10,401)
U9
9%(6,536)
Other
34%(25,329)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Gainesville, FL?
Gainesville, FL follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: By Right
- –Detached ADU: By Right
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 850 sq ft per internal or attached ADU (with a specific pre‑2/27/2020 whole‑structure conversion exception).
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum 850 sq ft for a detached accessory dwelling unit
- –Detached ADU limited to 50% of the principal building’s square footage
Max Units
- –2 total: 1 attached + 1 detached per lot
- –Small-lot (<5,445 sq ft): max 1 ADU per lot
Owner Occupancy
- –No owner-occupancy requirement
ADU State Law
What can you build in Florida?
- –Florida does not have a statewide ADU mandate. There is no state-level requirement for cities or counties to allow ADUs.
- –ADUs in Florida are regulated entirely at the local level. Some jurisdictions allow ADUs broadly, others allow them with strict conditions, and some prohibit them altogether.
- –Florida Statute 163.31771 is optional. It allows local governments to adopt ADU ordinances for affordable housing, but it does not require any jurisdiction to allow ADUs, and local governments may adopt ADU rules outside of this statute.
- –County and city rules may differ. In unincorporated areas, county zoning controls whether ADUs are allowed; within city limits, municipal zoning codes apply.
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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ADU rules in other Florida municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Alachua County