ADUs are allowed in West Palm BeachTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for West Palm Beach, FL
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
43,252
Owner-occupied
56%
Zoning districts
104
Avg Home Value
$626,772
Median Lot Size
0.20 acres
Avg Income
$88,992
Residential Types:
43,252 housing units
Single Family
55%
Apts (4+ units)
6%
Condos
34%
Other
6%
Zoning Districts:
49,567 parcels · 104 districts
RPD
36%(17,651)
SF7
17%(8,388)
MF32
12%(6,071)
CPD
3%(1,475)
Other
32%(15,982)
ADU Rules
What can you build in West Palm Beach, FL?
West Palm Beach, FL follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: Conditional Use Permit
- –Detached ADU: By Right
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 800 sq ft for an internal or attached accessory apartment
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum ADU size by district: 800 sq ft in SF14 and NMUD; 1,000 sq ft in Downtown LD-R.
- –In residential districts, the combined floor area of all roofed accessory buildings is limited to 75% of the primary structure’s gross floor area, up to 1,000 sq ft.
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner-occupancy not required for ADUs.
Parking
- –Citywide: 1.5 (eff), 1.75 (1BR), 2 (2BR)/ADU; SF14: 1/ADU (+2 for principal). Replace parking if garage conversion; tandem OK with covenant.
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.
Palm Beach County