Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Development Standards in Orlando
In the City of Orlando, homeowners on single-family parcels or lots of record are permitted to construct one Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) subject to a 1,000 square foot maximum size limit and a 0.50 total Floor Area Ratio. Development within the City of Orlando requires that all ADUs match the architectural style and exterior finishes of the principal residence and meet specific minimum lot size requirements based on the underlying zoning district. Any ADU in the City of Orlando exceeding 500 square feet also triggers a requirement for one additional off-street parking space that must be independently accessible.
General Requirements and Authority
The City of Orlando defines an Accessory Dwelling Unit as a detached, subordinate building or a portion of a building (such as a garage apartment, cottage, or mother-in-law suite) that serves the principal building and is located on the same development site [Section 56.04]. The primary intent of these regulations is to provide inexpensive dwelling units for older households, single-member households, and single-parent households while protecting the stability and character of City of Orlando neighborhoods [Section 58.500].
Permitted Locations and Quantity
- O-1 and O-2 Districts: Only one accessory dwelling unit is permitted per single-family residential building site or on-site office site [Section 58.501].
- R-2A District: A maximum of two units (total) are allowed per building site, meaning an ADU is prohibited if an existing duplex or tandem dwelling is already present [Section 58.501].
- R-2B District: Multifamily development, which may include ADUs, is permitted if the project complies with the standards for multifamily uses [Section 58.501].
Technical Development Standards
The City of Orlando mandates that all ADUs must be smaller than the principal structure on the building site [Section 58.501].
Minimum Lot Size Requirements
The following table outlines the minimum lot size required to host an ADU in various City of Orlando zoning districts.
| Zoning District | Min. Lot Size (ADU up to 500 sq. ft.) | Min. Lot Size (ADU 501–1,000 sq. ft.) |
|---|---|---|
| R-1AA | 10,000 sq. ft. | 15,000 sq. ft. |
| R-1A | 7,700 sq. ft. | 11,550 sq. ft. |
| R-1 | 6,000 sq. ft. | 9,000 sq. ft. |
| R-1N | 5,500 sq. ft. | 8,250 sq. ft. |
| R-2A | 5,500 sq. ft. | Must comply with Tandem Code |
| R-2B | 5,000 sq. ft. | Must comply with Tandem Code |
| R-3A | 5,500 sq. ft. | Must comply with Tandem Code |
| R-3B | 5,000 sq. ft. | Must comply with Tandem Code |
| R-3C / R-3D | 4,500 sq. ft. | Must comply with Tandem Code |
| MXD-1 | 5,000 sq. ft. | Must comply with Tandem Code |
| MXD-2 | 4,500 sq. ft. | Must comply with Tandem Code |
| O-1 | 5,500 sq. ft. | Must comply with Tandem Code |
| O-2 | 4,500 sq. ft. | Must comply with Tandem Code |
Note: Any district requiring compliance with the Tandem Code must follow the standards set forth in Part 3C of Chapter 58.
Size and Density Limitations
- Maximum Square Footage: No ADU in the City of Orlando may exceed 1,000 square feet [Section 58.501].
- Floor Area Ratio (FAR): The combined floor area of the principal unit and the ADU cannot exceed 0.50 FAR, or the maximum FAR allowed in the specific zoning district, whichever is more restrictive [Section 58.501].
- Historic Preservation Districts: In the City of Orlando’s HP Overlay districts, the maximum size for a new ADU is restricted to 700 square feet [Section 62.706].
Architectural and Design Standards
Every ADU in the City of Orlando must undergo an Appearance Review prior to the issuance of building permits [Section 58.501].
Aesthetic Harmony
The ADU must be designed to appear as part of a one-family dwelling unit. The City of Orlando requires the ADU to utilize the same exterior finishes as the principal structure and emulate its architectural style, including:
- Roof style and pitch
- Window proportions and groupings
- Cornice detailing, vents, and dormers [Section 58.501].
Setbacks
- Attached ADUs: Must meet the same setbacks required for the principal structure.
- Detached ADUs: Must follow the standards for accessory structures. However, in R-2, R-3, MXD, and Office districts, any ADU larger than 500 square feet must comply with the more stringent setbacks required for tandem development [Section 58.501].
Parking and Utilities
The City of Orlando has specific parking requirements based on the size of the ADU:
- Units 500 sq. ft. or smaller: No additional parking space is required.
- Units larger than 500 sq. ft.: One additional parking space is required. This space must be independently accessible to the street (not blocked by other cars), located behind the front yard setback, and at least 20 feet from the street side lot line [Section 58.501].
- Building Code: All units must comply with the Florida Building Code and Section 30A.24 of the City of Orlando Code [Section 58.501].
Fees and Discounts
The City of Orlando assesses impact fees for ADUs based on the additional conditioned square footage.
- Transportation Impact Fees: The fee is calculated based on the square footage added. If the new total conditioned square footage does not exceed the next tiered single-family rate, no additional transportation impact fee is due [Section 56.06].
- Parks Impact Fees: Assessment is based on the additional square footage. Similar to transportation fees, no additional fee is due if the new total remains within the same tiered rate for single-family homes [Section 56.32].
- Southeast Orlando Discount: ADUs in the Southeast Orlando Sector that are under 500 square feet and located within 1/4 mile of civic buildings are exempt from additional transportation impact fees [Section 56.04].
Sections Cited
- Section 56.04 - Definitions
- Section 56.06 - Determination of Transportation Impact Fees
- Section 56.32 - Parks Impact Fee Definitions
- Section 58.500 - Purpose of Accessory Dwelling Unit Requirements
- Section 58.501 - Design Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units
- Section 62.706 - Standards for New Construction (Historic Preservation)