Jacksonville allows one accessory dwelling unit by right on any conforming single-family lot in the Agriculture, Rural Residential, Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential and Residential-Professional-Institutional land-use categories (Comprehensive Plan FLUE Policy 3.1.29; Zoning Code Sec. 656.403(g), added by Ordinance 2022-448-E on November 9, 2022). The unit may be attached or detached, must sit behind the house and outside every required yard, and its building footprint is capped at the lesser of 25% of the house's gross floor area or 750 sq ft. The lot must carry a Duval County homestead exemption (or qualify for one the owner has applied for), so the owner must live on the property; a January 2025 bill to delete that rule (Ordinance 2024-870) had the ADU section struck in committee before it passed. There is no zoning hearing: you file a building permit in JaxEPICS and certify that no deed restriction or HOA rule bars the unit (Sec. 656.403(g)(8)). Florida has no statewide ADU mandate, so these city rules govern.
Zoning & Size Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Yes — Jacksonville allows ADUs. A detached ADU can typically be up to 750 sq ft under current Florida and Jacksonville zoning rules.
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| Allowed Zones | Accessory use on any conforming residential lot in the Agriculture, Rural Residential, Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential and Residential-Professional-Institutional land-use categories (FLUE Policy 3.1.29, Ord. 2022-447-E), i.e. the RR, RLD and RMD zoning districts. The former RLD-TND-only limit was deleted from Sec. 656.305 by Ord. 2022-448-E. A PUD is governed by its own written description, so read it first. |
| Max Size (Detached) | Building footprint capped at the lesser of 25% of the principal house's gross floor area or 750 sq ft (Sec. 656.403(g)(3)): a 2,000 sq ft house allows a 500 sq ft footprint, a 3,000 sq ft house the full 750 sq ft. The cap is on footprint, not floor area, and the unit must be behind the house and outside all required yards ((g)(1), (g)(4)). |
| Max Size (Attached) | Same footprint cap: lesser of 25% of the house's gross floor area or 750 sq ft (Sec. 656.403(g)(3)). An attached unit must be physically separated from the house with no direct internal access between the two (Sec. 656.403(g)(7)), and must be behind the primary structure ((g)(1)). |
| Max Size (JADU) | No junior ADU category in Jacksonville's Zoning Code. A unit carved out of the house is an attached ADU: same footprint cap and no internal door between the units (Sec. 656.403(g)(3), (g)(7)). |
| Max Height | Sec. 656.403(g)(5) applies the accessory-structure height rule of Sec. 656.403(d): a unit over 15 ft tall may not exceed the height of the house (it may rise to 35 ft only on an RR-Acre lot or a lot of at least one acre). The district ceiling for any structure in the RLD districts is 35 ft (Sec. 656.305(g)). |
| Max Units | One ADU per conforming residential lot, allowed regardless of the land-use category's density limit (FLUE Policy 3.1.29, Ord. 2022-447-E); it must be accessory to a conforming single-family dwelling (Sec. 656.403(g)(7)). |
Setback Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Jacksonville requires a rear setback of about 10 ft for a detached ADU, and parking requirements vary by unit size or location. Owner-occupancy is required.
| Rear Setback | The ADU may not stand in any required yard (Sec. 656.403(g)(4) and (a)(2)), so it must meet the house's district rear setback: 10 ft in every RLD district, RLD-120 through RLD-TND (Sec. 656.305(f)). RMD and PUD lots: confirm the figure with the Zoning Section (904-255-8300). |
| Side Setback | The house's district side yard applies: 5 ft in RLD-90, RLD-80, RLD-70, RLD-60 and RLD-50; 3 ft in RLD-40 and RLD-TND; 7.5 ft in RLD-120, RLD-100A and RLD-100B (Sec. 656.305(f)). The 5-ft-from-lot-line allowance for small accessory structures in Sec. 656.403(d)(1) does not cover a dwelling ((a)(2), (g)(4)). |
| Front Setback | Must be located behind the primary structure (Sec. 656.403(g)(1)) and never in a required front yard (Sec. 656.403(a)). District front yards are 20 ft in RLD-100B through RLD-40 and 25 ft in RLD-120 and RLD-100A (Sec. 656.305(f)); on a corner lot both street frontages count. |
| Parking Required | No ADU-specific parking requirement in Sec. 656.403(g); the house keeps the off-street parking that Part 6 of Chapter 656 requires for a single-family dwelling. Confirm with the Zoning Section (904-255-8300) whether an added space is expected on your lot. |
| Owner Occupancy | Required in effect: the lot must carry an existing Duval County homestead exemption, or qualify for one that the owner has applied for through the Property Appraiser (Sec. 656.403(g)(6)), which makes the property the owner's permanent residence. Ordinance 2024-870 as filed would have deleted this rule; the Land Use and Zoning Committee struck that section on January 7, 2025 and the ordinance enacted January 14, 2025 left (g)(6) intact. |
| Min Lot Size | No ADU-specific minimum lot. The lot must be a conforming residential lot with a conforming single-family house (FLUE Policy 3.1.29; Sec. 656.403(g)(7)). District minimums apply to the lot itself, e.g. RLD-60 is 6,000 sq ft and 60 ft wide, RLD-40 is 4,000 sq ft and 40 ft wide (Sec. 656.305(d)); all buildings together may cover at most 50% of an RLD-60, RLD-50 or RLD-40 lot (Sec. 656.305(e)). |
Permit Process & Fees [10][11][12][13]
An ADU permit in Jacksonville goes through a standard permit review. The city publishes no review clock for residential plan review; JaxEPICS returns comments once every discipline has reviewed the set. A permit expires after 180 days without work (Building Inspection Division FAQ). Permit fees: Building permit fees are set by Ordinance Code Chapter 320 on the gross floor area under roof, plus separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit fees; the city publishes no ADU-specific figure, so price it in JaxEPICS or with the Building Inspection Division (904-255-8500).
| Approval Process | Building permit only, no zoning hearing: apply online in JaxEPICS (jaxepics.coj.net) to the Building Inspection Division (214 N. Hogan St., Room 280, 904-255-8500); zoning review happens inside the permit, and the application carries a mandatory certification that no deed restriction or HOA, neighborhood or master association rule bars an ADU (Sec. 656.403(g)(8)). Zoning questions: Zoning Section, Ed Ball Building Suite 300, 904-255-8300. A homeowner may pull the permit personally only for property for their own use that is not for sale or lease (owner's affidavit plus proof of homestead), so a unit built to rent should be permitted by a licensed contractor. |
| Review Timeline | The city publishes no review clock for residential plan review; JaxEPICS returns comments once every discipline has reviewed the set. A permit expires after 180 days without work (Building Inspection Division FAQ). |
| Permit Fees | Building permit fees are set by Ordinance Code Chapter 320 on the gross floor area under roof, plus separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit fees; the city publishes no ADU-specific figure, so price it in JaxEPICS or with the Building Inspection Division (904-255-8500). |
| Impact Fees | Jacksonville's transportation Mobility Fee (Ordinance Code Ch. 655) is charged on new development that adds trips and must be paid before the vertical building permit issues; exemptions are listed in Sec. 655.109 and de minimis uses in Sec. 655.108. Ask the Concurrency and Mobility Management System Office (CMMSO@coj.net) whether a single ADU is exempt or de minimis before budgeting, and ask JEA about connection charges if the unit gets its own water or sewer service. |
| Plan Check | Electronic plan review in JaxEPICS by every discipline, including the fire marshal; the Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023) and NEC 2020 apply. Lots in a FEMA flood zone are also reviewed by Development Services' Review Group. |
| Pre-Approved Plans | None offered by the city. |
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Construction Costs [14][15][16]
Building an ADU in Jacksonville typically costs $150,000-$300,000 ($150-$360 per sq ft); a garage conversion runs $65,000-$130,000.
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| Average Build Cost | $150,000-$300,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $150-$360 |
| Garage Conversion | $65,000-$130,000 |
| Prefab ADU (Installed) | $125,000-$200,000 |
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Rental Income Potential [17][18]
A 2-bedroom ADU in Jacksonville rents for around $1,350-$1,600/mo, an estimated 4-8% annual return (about $12,000-$16,000 a year in rent on a $150,000-$300,000 unit, before taxes, insurance, vacancy and upkeep).
| Avg Rent (1 Bedroom) | $1,000-$1,350/mo |
| Avg Rent (2 Bedroom) | $1,350-$1,600/mo |
| Short-Term Rental | Not addressed in Sec. 656.403(g). Because the lot must keep its homestead exemption, the property has to remain the owner's permanent residence; confirm with the Zoning Section before planning a short-term rental. |
| Est. Annual ROI | 4-8% annual return (about $12,000-$16,000 a year in rent on a $150,000-$300,000 unit, before taxes, insurance, vacancy and upkeep) |
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Recent Law Changes
What's Changed Recently
- Florida 2026 session: SB 48, which would have required every city and county to allow ADUs in single-family zones, passed the Senate but died in House messages on March 13, 2026; the housing bill that became law (HB 1389, Ch. 2026-179) contains no ADU provision. Fla. Stat. 163.31771 still says a local government "may" allow ADUs and was last amended in 2020, so Jacksonville's own rules govern
- Ordinance 2024-870-E (enacted January 14, 2025, 14-4): as introduced it would have deleted the homestead-exemption requirement for ADUs in Sec. 656.403(g)(6). The Land Use and Zoning Committee struck that section in full on January 7, 2025; the version enacted only lowered the minimum size of a new single-family house to 650 sq ft (600 sq ft where neighbouring homes are that size) in Sec. 656.432 and revised cottage rules in Secs. 656.306 and 656.1601. The ADU criteria in Sec. 656.403(g) are unchanged since 2022
- Ordinance 2023-270-E (enacted May 23, 2023): the city addressing and street-naming policy (Ch. 745) gained a dedicated section for accessory dwelling units, so a permitted ADU receives its own address
- Ordinance 2022-448-E (enacted November 9, 2022, 12-7, the "Keeping Our Families Together Act"): added Sec. 656.403(g) allowing an ADU as an accessory use in residential land-use categories, deleted the RLD-TND-only listing from Sec. 656.305, and set the eight criteria still in force (behind the house, visual match, footprint cap of 25% of the house or 750 sq ft, outside required yards, accessory-structure height, homestead exemption, conforming single-family house, HOA/deed certification). Companion Ordinance 2022-447-E (15-3) created FLUE Policy 3.1.29 allowing one ADU per conforming residential lot regardless of density
- September 8, 2026: Ordinance 2026-376-E amended Sec. 656.305 for home occupations only; no change to ADU rules
Tips for Building an ADU in Jacksonville
- Do the 25% math before you design: the footprint cap is the lesser of 25% of the house's gross floor area or 750 sq ft, so a 1,600 sq ft house gets only a 400 sq ft footprint. A second storey adds floor area on the same footprint, but a unit over 15 ft tall may not be taller than the house (Sec. 656.403(d), (g)(3), (g)(5))
- If the property is not yet homesteaded, file the homestead application with the Duval County Property Appraiser before you apply for the permit; Sec. 656.403(g)(6) accepts a pending application only where the property already qualifies
- Read your deed restrictions and HOA covenants first: the permit application makes you certify that they allow an ADU (Sec. 656.403(g)(8)), and the city does not override private restrictions
- Site the unit behind the house and fully outside the required yards (10 ft rear, 3-7.5 ft side depending on district, 20-25 ft front in RLD districts), and check total lot coverage: house plus ADU plus other buildings may not exceed 50% of an RLD-60, RLD-50 or RLD-40 lot (Sec. 656.305(e), (f))
- An attached ADU needs its own entrance and no internal door to the main house (Sec. 656.403(g)(7)); a garage conversion works if the garage already sits behind the house and outside the required yards
- Match the house: the code asks for a visual relationship through similar roof shape, porches and paint colour on new construction, and matching paint colour and physical characteristics on a converted structure (Sec. 656.403(g)(2))
- Ask CMMSO (CMMSO@coj.net) for a Mobility Fee determination and JEA for connection charges before signing a contract; the Mobility Fee must be paid before the building permit issues
- Check the FEMA flood zone at the start: much of the city lies along the St. Johns River, its tributaries and the coast, and elevated, wind-rated construction adds cost and review time
- Cost basis (2026-09-20 re-verification, industry guides only): avg build cost $150,000-$300,000 for a 500-750 sq ft detached unit (Jacksonville guides dated December 2025 and June 2026 quote $165,000-$310,000 detached and $120,000-$210,000 attached) | cost per sq ft $150-$360 turnkey | garage conversion $65,000-$130,000 | prefab $125,000-$200,000 installed, starting around $129,000 for a 410 sq ft unit. Rents: Jacksonville 1-bedroom $1,000 (Zumper, September 2026) to $1,340 (RentCafe, August 2026); 2-bedroom $1,385-$1,593
ADU Builders in Jacksonville
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Sources & References
All data on this page is sourced from official government records and verified market data. View our full methodology.
- Ordinance 2022-448-E (enrolled), Sec. 656.403(g) accessory dwelling units and Sec. 656.305 amendment - City of Jacksonville Legistar attachment Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- File 2022-0448-E legislative history (enacted November 9, 2022, 12-7) - Jacksonville City Council Legistar Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Ordinance 2022-447-E, Revised Exhibit 1: FLUE Policy 3.1.29 (one ADU per conforming residential lot) - Jacksonville City Council Legistar Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Ordinance 2024-870-E (enrolled, January 14, 2025): Secs. 656.306, 656.432, 656.1601 - Jacksonville City Council Legistar Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Ordinance 2024-870 Land Use and Zoning Committee amendment, January 7, 2025 (strikes Section 2, the Sec. 656.403(g)(6) homestead deletion) - Jacksonville City Council Legistar Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Ordinance 2024-870 original bill (reproduces Sec. 656.403(g) as codified in November 2024) - Jacksonville City Council Legistar Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Jacksonville Ordinance Code Sec. 656.403 Accessory uses and structures; accessory dwelling units - Municode Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Jacksonville Ordinance Code Sec. 656.305 Low Density Residential Category (RLD lot, yard, coverage and height standards) - Municode Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Zoning FAQs - City of Jacksonville Planning Department, Current Planning Division Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Residential Permits and homeowner permitting - City of Jacksonville Building Inspection Division Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Building Inspection Division FAQs (permit cost basis, 180-day permit life, codes enforced, JaxEPICS submittal) - City of Jacksonville Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- JaxEPICS online permitting portal - City of Jacksonville Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Mobility Fee FAQs (Secs. 655.108, 655.109; payment before vertical permit) - City of Jacksonville Concurrency and Mobility Management System Office Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- ADU Jacksonville FL 2026: Zoning Rules, JaxEPICS Permits and Costs (updated June 2026) - ADU Florida Info industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
- ADU Laws and Regulations in Jacksonville, Florida (December 14, 2025) - Mesocore industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Angi - ADU Construction Cost Data industry — Accessed 2026-02-24
- Jacksonville, FL rent research (median 1-bedroom $1,000, 2-bedroom $1,385, September 19, 2026) - Zumper Market Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Average Rent in Jacksonville, FL (1-bedroom $1,340, 2-bedroom $1,593, August 31, 2026) - RentCafe / Yardi Matrix Market Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Fla. Stat. 163.31771 Accessory dwelling units (2026 Florida Statutes) - Florida Legislature Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- SB 48 (2026) Housing - bill history, died in House messages March 13, 2026 - Florida Senate Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- CS/CS/HB 1389 (2026) Affordable Housing, enrolled text (Ch. 2026-179) - Florida Senate Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Florida Live Local Act (SB 102, 2023) - Florida Senate Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-19
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU in Jacksonville?
Yes. ADUs are allowed in Accessory use on any conforming residential lot in the Agriculture, Rural Residential, Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential and Residential-Professional-Institutional land-use categories (FLUE Policy 3.1.29, Ord. 2022-447-E), i.e. the RR, RLD and RMD zoning districts. The former RLD-TND-only limit was deleted from Sec. 656.305 by Ord. 2022-448-E. A PUD is governed by its own written description, so read it first. in Jacksonville. The maximum size for a detached ADU is Building footprint capped at the lesser of 25% of the principal house's gross floor area or 750 sq ft (Sec. 656.403(g)(3)): a 2,000 sq ft house allows a 500 sq ft footprint, a 3,000 sq ft house the full 750 sq ft. The cap is on footprint, not floor area, and the unit must be behind the house and outside all required yards ((g)(1), (g)(4)).. Owner-occupancy is required: Required in effect: the lot must carry an existing Duval County homestead exemption, or qualify for one that the owner has applied for through the Property Appraiser (Sec. 656.403(g)(6)), which makes the property the owner's permanent residence. Ordinance 2024-870 as filed would have deleted this rule; the Land Use and Zoning Committee struck that section on January 7, 2025 and the ordinance enacted January 14, 2025 left (g)(6) intact.
How much does an ADU cost in Jacksonville?
ADU construction in Jacksonville typically costs $150,000-$300,000. Garage conversions run $65,000-$130,000, and prefab ADUs cost $125,000-$200,000.
How much can I rent an ADU for in Jacksonville?
Average ADU rents in Jacksonville are $1,000-$1,350/mo for a 1-bedroom and $1,350-$1,600/mo for a 2-bedroom unit.
Do I need parking for an ADU in Jacksonville?
No ADU-specific parking requirement in Sec. 656.403(g); the house keeps the off-street parking that Part 6 of Chapter 656 requires for a single-family dwelling. Confirm with the Zoning Section (904-255-8300) whether an added space is expected on your lot.. Check with Jacksonville planning department for the latest Florida ADU parking rules, as many states have relaxed requirements in recent years.
How long does it take to get an ADU permit in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville does not publish a standard ADU review timeline. JaxEPICS returns comments once every discipline has reviewed the set. A permit expires after 180 days without work (Building Inspection Division FAQ). Permit fees: Building permit fees are set by Ordinance Code Chapter 320 on the gross floor area under roof, plus separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit fees; the city publishes no ADU-specific figure, so price it in JaxEPICS or with the Building Inspection Division (904-255-8500).
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