Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations in the City of Kissimmee
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are permitted in several residential and mixed-use districts within the City of Kissimmee, provided they serve as subordinate extensions to a principal single-family structure. To be compliant with the City of Kissimmee Land Development Code, an ADU must be between 500 and 800 square feet, be owner-occupied with a valid homestead exemption, and provide one additional off-street parking space. While attached or detached configurations are allowed, a detached ADU requires the subject lot to be 1.5 times the minimum size required for that specific zoning district.
Permitted Zoning Districts
The City of Kissimmee Land Development Code authorizes accessory dwelling units in specific residential, non-residential, and form-based transect zones. The following table identifies where these units are allowed and the type of approval required.
| Zoning District Category | Specific District or Transect Zone | Type of Permission |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Standard Districts | RE, RA-1, RA-2, RA-3, RA-4, RB-1, RB-2 | Permitted (P) |
| Agricultural & Conservation | AC | Permitted or Conditional (P/C)¹ |
| Non-Residential Standard Districts | RPB (Residential Professional Business) | Permitted (P) |
| Form-Based Transect Zones | T3 (Edge), T4-R (Neighborhood Restricted), T4-O (Neighborhood Open) | Permitted (P) |
¹ Note: New ADUs in the AC district are reviewed via the conditional use process and must be incidental to a single-family dwelling assigned a Single Family Low Density Residential future land use designation [Section 14-6-2.E].
Development and Building Standards
All accessory dwelling units within the City of Kissimmee must adhere to strict size and design requirements to ensure they remain subordinate to the primary residence.
| Standard Category | Technical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Unit Size | 500 square feet [Section 14-6-2.D.1] |
| Maximum Unit Size | 800 square feet or 40% of the principal dwelling GFA (whichever is less) [Section 14-6-2.D.1] |
| Maximum Height | Must be smaller in height than the principal building [Section 14-6-1.A] |
| Maximum Unit Allotment | Not more than one ADU per lot [Section 14-6-2.A.1] |
| Required Parking | 1 space per unit in addition to primary dwelling requirements [Section 14-6-2.B / Table 7-2] |
| Occupancy Requirement | Must be owner-occupied with a valid homestead exemption [Section 14-6-2.C] |
Specific Design and Placement Rules
The City of Kissimmee LDC mandates the following for ADU construction:
- Entrance Location: If the ADU has a main entrance on the front facade of the principal structure, it must be a shared entryway. An ADU's separate exterior stairway may not be constructed on the front or street side of the principal dwelling [Section 14-6-2.D.3].
- Detached ADU Lot Size: While attached ADUs may be developed on any lot meeting the district's minimum size, a detached ADU is only permitted on a lot that is at least 1.5 times the minimum required lot size for that district [Section 14-6-2.A.1].
- General Subordination: An ADU must be subordinate to the principal structure, meaning it must be less than 50 percent of the size of the principal structure and smaller in height [Section 14-6-1.A].
Setback Requirements for Accessory Structures
Accessory structures, including ADUs, must follow specific placement rules relative to property lines within the City of Kissimmee.
| Setback Type | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Rear Property Line | 6 feet (standard) [Section 14-6-1.B] |
| Side Yard Setback | Same as the requirements for the primary zoning district [Section 14-6-1.C] |
| Street Side Yard | Same as the requirements for the primary zoning district [Section 14-6-1.C] |
| Separation from Principal Building | 5 feet or more (unless attached) [Section 14-6-1.E] |
| Front Facade Proximity | Prohibited in front of the facade of the principal building [Section 14-6-1.D] |
Sections Cited
- Section 14-4-5 – Schedule of uses for standard zoning districts.
- Section 14-5-6 – Form-Based Code Permitted uses.
- Section 14-6-1 – General requirements for accessory uses and structures.
- Section 14-6-2 – Accessory dwelling units (ADU).
- Section 14-7-22 – Automobile parking ratios.
- Table 4-1 – Schedule of Uses for Residential Standard Districts.
- Table 4-2 – Schedule of Uses for Non-Residential Standard Districts.
- Table 5-1 – Permitted Uses (Form-Based Code).
- Table 7-2 – Minimum Parking Ratios.