ADUs are allowed in Fort Myers BeachTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Fort Myers Beach, FL
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
2,896
Owner-occupied
26%
Zoning districts
24
Avg Home Value
$1,055,394
Median Lot Size
0.18 acres
Avg Income
$105,859
Residential Types:
2,896 housing units
Single Family
61%
Apts (4+ units)
12%
Other
27%
Zoning Districts:
9,103 parcels · 24 districts
RM
41%(3,721)
BB
17%(1,568)
RS
16%(1,441)
RC
12%(1,072)
Other
14%(1,301)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Fort Myers Beach, FL?
Fort Myers Beach, 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 internal/attached accessory apartment size is 50% of the main dwelling’s floor area.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 850 sq ft or 50% of the main dwelling unit's floor area, whichever is less.
Max Units
- –Owner-occupied home (existing as of 12/15/1997): 1 accessory apartment per lot
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner occupancy not required; exceptions for certain pre-1997 units.
Parking
- –1 space/ADU (in addition to §34‑2020 base). Downtown base reduced 50% (0% Times Sq; 67% others); Santini 67%—does not waive the extra ADU space.
Rental Restrictions
- –Dwelling-unit ADUs: 1 rental to 1 family per month; 7-night minimum (district exceptions; some allow daily)
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.
Lee County