ADUs are allowed in Unincorporated SarasotaTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Unincorporated Sarasota, FL
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
163,864
Owner-occupied
59%
Zoning districts
120
Avg Home Value
$429,225
Median Lot Size
0.24 acres
Avg Income
$94,575
Residential Types:
163,864 housing units
Single Family
73%
2-3 Family
1%
Apts (4+ units)
5%
Other
22%
Zoning Districts:
173,621 parcels · 120 districts
RSF-3
23%(39,330)
RSF-2
12%(21,193)
RSF-2/PUD
8%(13,079)
RSF-1
6%(9,690)
Other
52%(90,329)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Unincorporated Sarasota, FL?
Unincorporated Sarasota, 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 750 sq ft for an internal accessory dwelling unit anywhere in the county.
- –In the Village/Open Space RMA, an internal accessory dwelling unit is capped at 500 sq ft.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum building area of 750 sq ft for a detached accessory dwelling.
- –In the Village/Open Space RMA, a detached accessory dwelling is limited to 500 sq ft.
Max Units
- –1 per lot or parcel.
- –Aggregate cap: 1 total accessory residential unit per parcel (either 1 ADU or 1 guest house); no difference by principal structure type.
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner must occupy either the principal dwelling or the ADU.
Parking
- –1 space/ADU on the same premises; tandem allowed (except on barrier islands); shell/grass surfacing permitted; off-site parking not allowed to satisfy required residential parking (except guest)
Rental Restrictions
- –Short-term rentals under 30 days prohibited; ADU rentals must be >30 days and not more than 1 per 30 days. By-the-room rentals allowed only if owner occupies >50% of the lease term and not more than 1 per 30 days.
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.
Sarasota County
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