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Building an ADU in Tampa

City code and Florida law · Last reviewed October 9, 2026

Tampa allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) only inside an eligible area that covers Seminole Heights, the area around Lowry Park, East Tampa, Tampa Heights and, since 2024, neighborhoods such as Sulphur Springs, Temple Crest and Wellswood. In most of that area an ADU is a special use: you need a Special Use 1 (SU1) approval before the building permit, the ADU can have up to 950 square feet of living space, the owner must live on the property, and no more than two unrelated people may live in it. In the Tampa Heights Overlay District, the code lists ADUs as a permitted use with its own standards. Elsewhere in Tampa, only a family-only "extended family residence" is allowed. [1][2][3][4][5][6]

Tampa at a glance
Where ADUs are allowedOnly inside Tampa's ADU-eligible area; check the city's ADU map lookup [1][2]
Approval typeSpecial use (General Special Use 1, SU1) decided by the Zoning Administrator, then a building permit; a permitted use in the Tampa Heights Overlay [3][5][6][9]
Max size950 sq ft of living space [3][4]
Owner occupancyThe owner must live on the property (in the main house or the ADU) [2][3]
Occupancy limitNo more than two unrelated occupants in the ADU [3]
Setbacks (general standards)3 ft rear and interior side; 20 ft rear and 7 ft side if the ADU covers more than 15% of the lot; 60 ft from the street [4]
Parking1 parking space per unit [4]
Separate utility meterPermitted [4]
Annual reviewThe special use permit is reviewed annually by city staff [3]
Outside the eligible areaExtended family residence only: family members, no rent, up to 600 sq ft, homestead required [1][3]
On this page
  1. At a glance
  2. Where you can build an ADU
  3. Size, height and setbacks
  4. Owner occupancy and who can live there
  5. Parking and utilities
  6. Fees and timeline
  7. Outside the eligible area: extended family residences
  8. Garage conversions and existing buildings
  9. HOAs, deed restrictions and flood zones
  10. Permit steps
  11. Who to call
  12. Questions people ask

Where you can build an ADU

Florida law lets cities choose whether to allow ADUs (see our Florida ADU law page), and Tampa allows them only in part of the city. Its ADU page says the code allows ADUs "in Seminole Heights, the area around Lowry Park, the East Tampa Overlay, and the Tampa Heights Overlay."

In 2024 the city expanded the eligible area. An August 2026 city news release says eligibility "has expanded north to Sulphur Springs and Temple Crest, and West to Wellswood and parts of Riverside Heights." The city's ADU page has not been updated with those neighborhood names, so use the ADU GIS Map Viewer to check your exact lot.

In most of the eligible area, the zoning code treats an ADU as a special use, which is why you need an SU1 approval. The Tampa Heights Overlay District is different: the code makes the ADU "a permitted use in the Tampa Heights Overlay District in accordance with section 27-244." Section 27-244 sets its own conditions there, such as one parking space only for ADUs over 600 square feet, no more than two unrelated occupants, and separate utility meters allowed. If you are in Tampa Heights, ask Development Coordination which rules and steps apply to you.

An ADU can be inside the house with a separate entrance, in a conforming accessory building, or in a nonconforming accessory building under the code's rules for nonconforming structures. [1][2][3][5][6][7]

Size, height and setbacks

Size. Section 27-132 limits an ADU to "a maximum of nine hundred fifty (950) square feet of living space."

Setbacks. The city's general standards guide (for the eligible area outside overlay and historic districts) lists these minimums:

An ADU structure that covers more than 15% of the lot needs at least 20 feet from the rear lot line and 7 feet from the side lot line.

Height. The general standards PDF shows two overlapping versions of its height row: one says height is "Equal to maximum height allowed for principal structure in underlying zoning district" and the other says 22.5 feet and 2 stories. Ask Development Coordination which applies. The Seminole Heights guide lists 22.5 feet and two stories, or 15 feet and one story near a one-story house on a neighboring lot. [3][4][8]

Owner occupancy and who can live there

Under Section 27-132, an ADU "may only be approved when the property owner resides on the property," and "At no time may the number of unrelated occupant(s) of an accessory dwelling unit exceed two (2)." The general standards guide puts it as a "Maximum of two unrelated adults."

The city's August 2026 news release says the 2024 changes "removed a previous requirement that the property owner live in the main home," so the owner can live in either the main house or the ADU. The city's ADU web page still says "The main residence must be owner-occupied" in the same paragraph that describes extended family residences, so confirm with City Planning if your plan is to rent the main house. [1][2][3][4]

Parking and utilities

The general standards guide requires 1 parking space per unit and says a separate utility meter is permitted. Overlay districts may differ; in the Tampa Heights Overlay, for example, on-site parking is required only for ADUs over 600 square feet. Check the guide for your area on the city's ADU page. [4][6]

Fees and timeline

Fees are set by City Council resolution and assessed in Accela when staff accepts your SU1 application. The Development Coordination fee schedule lists Special Use 1 fees of $194.00 for home occupations and extended family residences, $611.00 for "S1 - Residential <19 units," and $929.00 for larger residential and non-residential uses. It does not name ADUs, so ask staff which line applies. The schedule's heading says "Effective October 1, 2018," so confirm current amounts with staff. Building permit, impact and utility fees are separate.

For timing, the city says a General SU1 is completed "no later than 15 calendar days from the submittal of the complete affidavit of compliance for the required notice," and you can ask for a 20-day extension. See our ADU cost guide for budgeting the whole project. [9][10]

Outside the eligible area: extended family residences

Everywhere else in Tampa, the city's ADU page says a second unit "may only be created for a family member" and is called an extended family residence (EFR). Section 27-132 sets these limits for an EFR:

[1][3]

Garage conversions and existing buildings

An ADU may go in a conforming accessory building or, under Article VII of the zoning code, a nonconforming one, so an existing garage or outbuilding may qualify. It still has to meet the 950-square-foot limit and the setbacks. See our garage conversion guide. [3][4]

HOAs, deed restrictions and flood zones

Tampa's SU1 instructions say the city and its staff "DO NOT review for compliance with individual private deed restrictions and covenants." Check your plat, survey and title documents first.

If your lot is in a flood zone, FEMA treats work costing 50% or more of a building's market value as a substantial improvement. Look up your flood zone on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and ask Development Coordination about floodplain rules. [9][11]

Permit steps in Tampa

  1. Check that your lot is in the eligible area

    Enter your address in Tampa's ADU GIS Map Viewer. Overlay and historic districts (East Tampa, Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights) have their own guides on the city's ADU page. [1][4]

  2. Talk to Development Coordination before you apply

    The city asks applicants to contact Development and Growth Management at (813) 274-3100, option 2, or TampaZoning@tampagov.net before submitting, to get the right guidance. [9]

  3. Prepare a to-scale site plan

    The SU1 application requires a site plan drawn to an engineer's scale (such as 1 inch = 10 feet) showing existing and proposed buildings, setbacks, parking, and elevations of new structures. You also certify that the property meets the special use criteria in Section 27-132. [3][9]

  4. Apply for the General Special Use 1 (SU1) in Accela

    Submit online through Accela Citizen Access. Fees are assessed in Accela once staff accepts the application. Forms are on the city's applications page. [9][12]

  5. Post public notice

    A General SU1 requires public notice under Section 27-149. Staff gives you the documents and sign. The city says it completes the review within 15 calendar days after you submit the notice affidavit, which you can extend by 20 days. [9]

  6. Get the building permit and inspections

    If the Zoning Administrator grants the SU1, the site plan becomes binding, and all development is checked against city codes at building permitting. Build to the Florida Building Code. [9]

  7. Keep the permit current

    Staff reviews the special use permit every year. If conditions change, you need a new special use permit. [3]

Who to call

Questions people ask

Can I build an ADU anywhere in Tampa?

No. ADUs are allowed only in Tampa's eligible area, which includes Seminole Heights, the Lowry Park area, East Tampa, Tampa Heights and areas added in 2024. Elsewhere you can only build a family-only extended family residence. [1][2]

How big can an ADU be in Tampa?

Up to 950 square feet of living space under Section 27-132. Setbacks and lot coverage may limit it further. [3][4]

Do I have to live on the property to have an ADU in Tampa?

Yes, for ADUs approved as a special use. Tampa's code says such an ADU may only be approved when the property owner lives on the property. Since 2024, the owner can live in either the main house or the ADU. [2][3]

How many people can live in a Tampa ADU?

No more than two unrelated occupants, under Section 27-132. [3]

Can I rent an extended family residence in Tampa?

No. The code says occupants of an extended family residence must be family and may not pay rent. To rent a unit, your lot must be in the ADU-eligible area. [1][3]

Sources (12)
  1. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) (updated 07/15/2026), City of Tampa, City Planning. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  2. City of Tampa to highlight the increase in ADUs since rule changes (posted 08/19/2026), City of Tampa. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  3. Tampa Code of Ordinances, Sec. 27-132, Regulations governing individual special uses, City of Tampa (Municode). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  4. Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) General Standards (guide), City of Tampa. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  5. Tampa Code of Ordinances, Sec. 27-156, Official schedule of district regulations (footnote 17), City of Tampa (Municode). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  6. Tampa Code of Ordinances, Sec. 27-244, Tampa Heights Overlay District Development Standards, City of Tampa (Municode). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  7. The 2026 Florida Statutes, 163.31771 Accessory dwelling units, The Florida Legislature. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  8. Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Seminole Heights Supplemental Standards (guide), City of Tampa. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  9. Instructions for Application, General Special Use 1 (SU1), revised 08/2024, City of Tampa, Development and Growth Management. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  10. Fee Schedule for Development Coordination, City of Tampa, Development and Growth Management. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  11. Substantial Improvement (glossary), Federal Emergency Management Agency. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  12. Applications & Forms, City of Tampa, Development Coordination. Accessed October 9, 2026.

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