Accessory dwelling units in Fort Lauderdale, planned step by step

Compact independent living

What an accessory dwelling unit is

An accessory dwelling unit, often shortened to ADU, is a secondary living space on a lot that already has a main house. It has its own sleeping area, bath and cooking space, and usually its own entrance. It might be a detached cottage in the back yard, an apartment above a garage, a converted portion of the main home or an addition with a separate door.

People build them for many reasons. Some want a place for aging parents or adult children. Some want a quiet guest suite or a home office with a bathroom. Others imagine long term rental use. Each purpose changes the design, and each is subject to local rules that may or may not allow it on a particular property.

This page is general planning guidance, not a promise that a unit is allowed on your lot. Cities and communities in Broward County set their own rules about size, placement, parking, rental use and approvals. We explain how to think through the project; your city building department and any association tell you what applies. For another angle, see our accessory dwelling unit basics guide.

Start with the people who will live there

The most important design input is the person who will use the unit every day. A grandparent may need an entry without steps, wide doorways, a roll in shower and good lighting. A young adult may want a flexible open room with space for work. A caregiver needs a private bedroom and a bath close at hand. A long term tenant needs privacy, parking and storage.

Think about how much independence and how much connection you want. Some households want the unit close to the main house, with a view of the back door. Others prefer distance and privacy. The relationship between the two homes shapes where the unit sits on the lot, where its door faces and how paths and fences are arranged.

If the unit may serve different people over time, aim for flexibility. A layout that works for a guest today and a family member in ten years is more valuable than one built around a single person. Our aging in place planning checklist offers ideas for building in comfort and safety from the start.

• Name the first occupant and imagine who might live there later.
• Decide how much privacy and separation you want between the two homes.
• List the daily tasks the unit must support, such as cooking, working and laundry.
• Note any accessibility features that would make the space easier for everyone.

Ways to create the space

There are several routes to an ADU, and each has its own planning questions. A detached unit is a new small building with its own foundation, walls and roof. An attached unit shares a wall with the main house and may resemble an addition. A converted unit uses existing space, such as a garage or part of the main floor, and gives it a kitchen, bath and entrance.

Our pages on garage conversions and home additions explain related options in more detail, and the comparison of garage conversion versus addition shows how they differ. Each route has trade offs in space, structure, privacy and effort.

The lot also matters. Setbacks from property lines, tree locations, utility connections, drainage and flood considerations all influence where a new building can go. On canal and waterfront lots, additional shoreline rules may apply. Ask your city what applies to your lot rather than assuming it will mirror a neighbor's.

Cost and effort differ widely between these routes, and we make no claims about numbers here. A converted space usually involves less new structure but more work to adapt what exists. A detached building needs new foundations and utilities but offers freedom of design. Understanding which path suits your lot and goals is the first real decision of the project.

Size, layout and compact design

Small spaces reward careful planning. Every square foot must earn its place, and layout decisions matter more than in a larger home. Think about how the entry flows into the living area, where the bed or sleeping nook fits, how the bathroom is reached and where storage can be built in without crowding the room.

Good compact design uses multi purpose features. A sofa that doubles as a guest bed, a window seat with storage below, a table that folds or extends, and a kitchen with a smart arrangement of counters and cabinets can make a small unit feel generous. Tall ceilings, large windows and light colors increase the sense of space.

Resist the temptation to include every feature. A tiny home with a separate dining room, a big closet and a laundry area can end up cramped. Decide what matters most, and choose a simple, flexible plan. A clear, uncluttered layout is easier to live in, easier to furnish and easier to adapt as needs change. A compact kitchen with a clear work zone beats a larger one with awkward corners.

Kitchen and bath basics

A complete unit needs a kitchen and a bathroom, and both depend on plumbing, ventilation and power. A compact kitchen might include a sink, a small range or cooktop, a refrigerator and a bit of counter space. Venting for cooking, safe distances from surfaces and enough electrical capacity are all part of the plan.

Bathrooms need ventilation, waterproofing and proper drainage. A small shower with a well planned slope and waterproof assembly can be very comfortable. Our shower design options page shows choices, and good ventilation matters a great deal in a humid climate.

Laundry is a common request. Hookups for a stacked washer and dryer, or a combination unit, need space, a drain and a way to vent moisture. Decide early whether the unit has its own laundry or shares with the main house, because the answer affects the plan.

Appliances deserve planning as well. Compact refrigerators, two burner cooktops and narrow dishwashers are made for small kitchens, and their dimensions are different from standard models. Choose them early and confirm their size and power needs, since cabinet openings and outlets are built around them. A well chosen set of compact appliances makes a small kitchen work smoothly.

Utilities, access and site work

A separate dwelling needs utilities. Water, sewer or septic, electricity, internet and sometimes gas must reach the unit. The route they follow across the lot, and the capacity of existing connections, can shape costs and layout more than any design choice. Ask which connections exist, where they are and what is needed to serve another dwelling.

Access matters too. People need a safe, lit path from the street or parking area to the unit, and emergency services need to be able to find it. Ask your city whether the unit needs its own address or access requirements. Think about how deliveries, trash and mail will be handled.

Drainage must be managed so water from the new roof and paving does not run into neighbors or into the main house. Landscaping, permeable surfaces and gutters can all play a part. Our page on measurements and site conditions explains what to gather before design begins.

A survey of the lot, a record of where underground lines run and photographs of the existing house are all useful starting points. If drawings of the main house exist, bring them. If not, measuring the key walls and noting the position of electrical panels, water shutoffs and cooling equipment gives designers something real to work from. The more accurate the starting information, the fewer surprises appear later.

Privacy, comfort and good neighbors

Privacy goes both ways. People in the main house and people in the unit should feel at home. Window placement, doors, fences, plantings and the direction of outdoor seating all affect how private each place feels. A small patio or porch for the unit gives its occupant a place to be outside without crossing the main yard.

Sound and light also travel. Plan the unit so that bedroom windows do not look directly into the neighbor's yard or the main house. Consider insulation and construction that reduce noise between homes if they share a wall. Exterior lighting should be soft and aimed downward.

Neighbors and associations may take an interest. Some communities have specific rules about the appearance of secondary buildings, and some prohibit them. Check with your association early, and consider talking with neighbors before plans are public. Good communication prevents misunderstandings.

Think about the shared spaces too. Will the two households share a yard, a pool, a driveway or a mailbox? Agreeing on how those are used, before anyone moves in, keeps daily life friendly. Simple things such as where trash bins go, who parks where and when the pool is open can be written down in a short list that everyone understands.

Comfort in a Florida climate

Heat, humidity, sun and storms all shape the design. A compact unit heats up readily in direct sun, so orientation, shade and insulation are important. Overhangs, trees and covered porches reduce heat gain. A properly sized cooling system and good ventilation keep the space comfortable and dry.

Moisture is a quiet challenge. Slab on grade floors, exterior walls and bathrooms all need moisture control. Our page on moisture planning in Florida homes explains the principles. Choose materials that tolerate humidity and are easy to clean.

Cooling equipment deserves a clear place in the plan. Outdoor units need space for airflow and service access, and indoor components need a closet or ceiling zone. Placing them where noise will not bother the bedroom or the neighbors makes everyday life more pleasant. Ask the qualified professional who sizes the system to explain how it will be reached for future maintenance.

Storm resilience is part of the discussion as well. Openings, roofs and foundations should be planned with local conditions in mind. Your city sets requirements for new construction, and a design professional can explain how they apply to your project.

Furnishing, storage and daily living

Furniture decisions belong in the plan, not after it. Measure the bed, the desk, the sofa and the dining table you imagine, and draw them onto the layout with clear walking paths. If the furniture does not fit on paper, it will not fit in the room. Built in beds, benches and shelves often use space better than loose pieces.

Storage is the secret of small homes. Include closets with some depth, shelves over doors, cabinets under stairs or beds and a spot near the entry for shoes, bags and coats. Consider a utility closet for the cooling equipment and a place for cleaning supplies. Without storage, even a beautiful unit becomes cluttered within weeks.

Lighting makes small rooms feel larger. Use layers: ceiling light for general use, task lights at the desk and kitchen, and soft lamps for evenings. Windows on more than one wall help the room feel airy and allow cross breezes. A glass door to a small outdoor space extends the living area. See lighting plan before remodel for a simple method.

Approvals and paperwork

A new dwelling is almost always regulated. Cities set rules about whether accessory units are allowed, how large they may be, where they can be placed, what parking is required and whether they may be rented. These rules can differ from one city to the next and may change over time. We do not state them here; ask your city planning and building departments.

Associations and condo or HOA rules add another layer. Some communities do not allow additional dwellings or limit their size and appearance. Others have approval processes with drawings and fees. Check before you invest in design. Our pages on permit questions and HOA approval basics list useful questions.

Insurance and taxes are further topics. Ask your insurer how a second dwelling affects coverage and what documentation they need. Ask your local property office how a new unit may affect your records. Keeping plans, approvals and final documents organized helps in every one of these conversations.

Timing is part of the plan too. Approvals, drawings, utility coordination and material orders happen in a sequence, and delays at one step ripple through the others. Ask for a written outline of the steps, who is responsible for each and what information you must provide, so you can prepare in advance and keep the project moving at a calm pace.

Planning your first conversation

Begin by writing down who the unit is for, how large it might be and where on the lot it could go. Gather your survey, if you have one, along with photos of the lot and notes about utilities. Check with your city and association about what is allowed, and write down the answers.

This page is general guidance for homeowners across the county, whether in Fort Lauderdale, Davie or Coral Springs. We do not claim past work in any area, and each lot has its own limits and possibilities.

When you are ready, call and tell us about the property, the space and your priorities. We talk through layout, materials and existing conditions, build the plan and selections, and go over the information needed before work begins. A unit of this kind is a long term decision, so careful early steps are well worth the time.

Questions and answers