Frequently Asked Questions

Your property must meet several conditions to be eligible in Orange County (unincorporated): it must be your primary homesteaded residence, it must be zoned for single-family residential use, the lot must be at least 1.5 times the minimum required lot size for a detached ADU, and you must obtain a Special Exception from the county before a building permit can be applied for. The fastest way to know for sure is to submit your address for a free evaluation — we run the zoning check before your first call. See county-specific rules on ADU Rules by County.

In Orange County (unincorporated), yes. The county requires you to occupy either the primary home or the ADU as your principal homesteaded residence at all times. The Certificate of Occupancy will not be issued until homestead status is confirmed. The City of Orlando does not have this requirement — investors can rent both units. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, which is why we verify your specific parcel before anything else.

Possibly, but HOA rules are separate from county zoning. An HOA can restrict or prohibit ADUs even if the county permits them. We review HOA documentation as part of your free site evaluation. If your HOA prohibits ADUs, we'll tell you upfront — no wasted time.

In Orange County (unincorporated), a Special Exception is a separate zoning approval required before a building permit can be applied for. It's submitted to the Orange County Planning Division and confirms your property and proposed ADU meet all zoning standards. EarthNest Florida prepares and submits this on your behalf as part of our 7-step process. It is not optional in most Orange County residential zones.

The maximum living area is 45% of your primary home's square footage OR 1,000 square feet — whichever is less. If your lot is 2 acres or larger, the maximum increases to 1,500 square feet. The minimum living area is 400 square feet. The ADU may not have more than 2 bedrooms.

Yes, in many cases — but it requires careful permitting. Container-based units must meet the Florida Building Code, be placed on a permanent foundation, and may require state-level DBPR review for modular/manufactured structures. Note: at approximately 160 sq ft (20ft unit) and 320 sq ft (40ft unit), container units fall below Orange County's 400 sq ft ADU minimum and are generally best for flex uses there.

Yes — and in Orange County, it's encouraged. The county requires the ADU to be designed to be similar and compatible with the primary dwelling. Our Traditional Site-Built ADU is fully custom and designed to match your home's exterior finish and architectural details.

In the current Orlando-area market, permitted 1-bedroom ADUs typically rent for $1,400–$2,000 per month for long-term leases. Studios range from $1,200–$1,600. Exact rent depends on size, finish level, location, and amenities.

In Orange County (unincorporated), short-term rentals under 30 days are prohibited for ADUs in most residential zones. The City of Orlando has different rules. Always verify with your specific jurisdiction before planning a short-term rental strategy.

A fully permitted, foundation-built ADU adds permanent appraised value to your property. In the current Central Florida market, permitted ADUs typically add meaningful equity at completion depending on size and finish.