ADUs are allowed in Lake WalesTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Lake Wales, FL
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
6,693
Owner-occupied
56%
Zoning districts
27
Avg Home Value
$153,961
Median Lot Size
0.19 acres
Avg Income
$56,599
Residential Types:
6,693 housing units
Other
100%
Zoning Districts:
8,444 parcels · 27 districts
R-1B
36%(3,044)
R-1C
17%(1,465)
R-1A
12%(1,032)
C-2R
6%(487)
Other
29%(2,416)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Lake Wales, FL?
Lake Wales, FL follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: Special Permit
- –Detached ADU: Special Permit
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 50% of the principal dwelling’s living floor area.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum detached ADU living area is 50% of the principal dwelling’s living floor area for single-family residences.
Max Units
- –NE & NG: 1 ADU/lot
- –NC: 2 ADUs/lot
Owner Occupancy
- –No owner-occupancy requirement.
Parking
- –No parking required for an ADU; max 2 spaces per dwelling unit in NE/NG/NC; in D-MU no minimum but a parking analysis is required; ADA spaces required.
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.
Polk County