City of Orlando Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Size and Design Standards
In the City of Orlando, the absolute maximum square footage permitted for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is 1,000 square feet [Section 58.501]. However, every City of Orlando ADU must be smaller in size than the principal residential structure on the same building site and must comply with the specific Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and lot size requirements of its zoning district [Section 58.501].
Maximum Square Footage and Area Limitations
The City of Orlando regulates the size of ADUs through a combination of absolute caps, relative size limits, and density calculations. While the 1,000-square-foot limit is the general ceiling, several other factors may further restrict the allowed size.
| Standard Category | City of Orlando Requirement |
|---|---|
| Absolute Maximum Area | 1,000 square feet [Section 58.501] |
| Relative Size Limit | The ADU must be smaller than the principal structure [Section 58.501] |
| Combined Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | The house plus the ADU cannot exceed 0.50 FAR or the district maximum (whichever is less) [Section 58.501] |
| Non-Conforming Lots of Record | Maximum area is limited to 500 square feet [Section 58.501] |
| Historic Preservation Districts | Approval via Certificate of Appropriateness for units up to 700 square feet [Section 62.706] |
Minimum Lot Size Requirements
The City of Orlando requires different minimum lot sizes depending on the intended square footage of the ADU. If a property is located in a One Family Residential District such as R-1AA, R-1A, R-1, or R-1N, the following lot standards apply:
| Zoning District | Min. Lot Size for ADU up to 500 sq. ft. | Min. Lot Size for ADU up to 1,000 sq. ft. |
|---|---|---|
| R-1AA | 10,000 square feet | 15,000 square feet |
| R-1A | 7,700 square feet | 11,550 square feet |
| R-1 | 6,000 square feet | 9,000 square feet |
| R-1N | 5,500 square feet | 8,250 square feet |
| R-2A / R-2B | 5,000 - 5,500 square feet | Must comply with Tandem Code (Part 3C) |
| O-1 / O-2 | 4,500 - 5,500 square feet | Must comply with Tandem Code (Part 3C) |
Note: For City of Orlando districts such as R-3A, R-3D, or MXD-2, any ADU exceeding 500 square feet must comply with the setbacks and standards of tandem development found in Chapter 58, Part 3C [Section 58.501].
Impact Fee Thresholds
The City of Orlando provides specific financial incentives and fee structures based on the square footage of the ADU:
- Transportation Impact Fees: ADUs (garage apartments) with less than 500 square feet of gross floor area are exempt from additional transportation impact fees if they are under single lot ownership and located within one-quarter mile walking distance of civic buildings [Section 56.04].
- Parks Impact Fees: ADUs are evaluated for parks impact fees based on the additional square footage added to the existing single-family conditioned space. If the new total square footage does not exceed the next tiered single-family rate, no additional fee is required [Section 56.32].
Additional Design Constraints
Beyond square footage, the City of Orlando mandates that the ADU must have the same exterior finish as the principal structure and emulate its architectural style, including roof style, window proportions, and cornice detailing [Section 58.501]. If the ADU is larger than 500 square feet, an additional parking space must be provided, which must be independently accessible and located at least 20 feet from the street side lot line [Section 58.501].
Sections Cited
- Section 56.04 - Definitions (Transportation Impact Fees)
- Section 56.32 - Definitions (Parks Impact Fees)
- 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)