ADUs are allowed in Fort MyersTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Fort Myers, FL
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
25,735
Owner-occupied
62%
Zoning districts
171
Avg Home Value
$425,433
Median Lot Size
0.18 acres
Avg Income
$87,989
Residential Types:
25,735 housing units
Single Family
86%
Apts (4+ units)
6%
Other
9%
Zoning Districts:
39,650 parcels · 171 districts
RS-7
13%(5,283)
MDP-3
11%(4,508)
SDA
9%(3,697)
CI
8%(3,104)
Other
58%(23,058)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Fort Myers, FL?
Fort Myers, 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 is the lesser of 1,200 sq ft or 40% of the principal dwelling’s living area for an internal or attached ADU
- –In residential districts, an internal or attached ADU may not exceed 30% of the principal building’s gross floor area
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size is the most restrictive of 30% of the principal building’s gross floor area, 40% of the principal dwelling’s living area, or 1,200 sq ft
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner must be a full-time resident (≥9 months/year with Homestead Exemption).
Parking
- –1 space/ADU; max: none specified; no ADU-specific exemption; Downtown/Midtown core exempt from Smart Code off-street parking for residential uses.
Rental Restrictions
- –Non-commercial guesthouses may not be leased or rented (whether freestanding or attached); vested garage apartments may be rented only if the principal residence is owner-occupied full-time; otherwise no rental or leasing is permitted.
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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Is your property eligible for an ADU?
ADU rules in other Florida municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Lee County