Frequently Asked Questions

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a secondary dwelling on the same lot as a primary home—typically foundation-built, permitted, and connected to utilities. It is not the same as an RV, THOW, or storage shed. Read What is an ADU? (Florida guide) for types, zoning context, and when an ADU beats other backyard options.

A permitted ADU is a legal secondary dwelling on your land. Factory Escape tiny homes are RVIA-certified units suited to catalog purchase and siting rules that vary by jurisdiction. Tiny home communities offer long-term-lease village living—not the same as owning a backyard ADU. We help you pick the lane that matches your parcel.

Start with a free evaluation—we check zoning, setbacks, lot size, and feasibility before you spend on drawings. Use ADU rules by county for a head start, then request a site review for parcel-specific answers.

In Orange County (unincorporated), you generally need homesteaded owner-occupancy, qualifying single-family zoning, a lot at least 1.5× the minimum for a detached ADU, and a Special Exception before a building permit. See ADU rules by county and Orange County requirements on our homepage.

In Orange County (unincorporated), yes—the owner must occupy either the primary home or the ADU as a homesteaded principal residence. The City of Orlando does not have this requirement, so investors can rent both units there. Rules vary by jurisdiction; we verify your parcel before you commit.

Maybe. HOA covenants are separate from county zoning and can prohibit ADUs even when the county allows them. We review HOA documents during your free evaluation and tell you upfront if the path is blocked.

In most Orange County residential zones, a detached ADU requires a Special Exception—a zoning hearing process—before you can apply for a building permit. We coordinate this as part of our 7-step legal backyard home process.

It depends where your parcel sits. Orlando offers more streamlined by-right paths in many cases; unincorporated Orange County often requires a Special Exception and homestead occupancy. Read City of Orlando vs. unincorporated Orange County then confirm on ADU rules.

Maximum living area is 50% of the primary home's square footage or 1,000 sq ft—whichever is less (up to 1,500 sq ft on lots of 2 acres or more). Minimum is 400 sq ft living area, max 2 bedrooms. Exact caps depend on your district and primary dwelling size.

Often yes—with PE-stamped structural plans, permanent foundation, FBC wind-load compliance, closed-cell insulation, and mechanical ventilation. Standard 20–40 ft containers are below Orange County's 400 sq ft ADU minimum unless combined or used for non-ADU flex space. See High Performance Container Engineering.

Yes—and Orange County encourages compatibility with the primary dwelling. Our site-built EarthNest lane is designed to align exterior finish and massing with your existing home.

Escape models suit a fixed factory SKU, RVIA certification, and faster weathertight delivery—subject to local siting rules. Site-built ADUs suit permanent foundation rental income, homestead ADU strategies, and custom match to your primary home. Compare lanes on Escape tiny homes and EarthNest living systems.

Most projects run 6–12 months from evaluation to Certificate of Occupancy: Special Exception (if required) often 4–8 weeks, permit review 4–8 weeks, construction 3–6 months depending on model and scope. Timeline varies by jurisdiction and design complexity.

Nothing—no obligation. It includes zoning review, setback check, lot-size confirmation, feasibility guidance, and a recommended path (ADU, modular, or community). Start here.

Wind-load engineering, impact-rated openings or shutters, humidity-aware envelopes, and full permit submittals (survey, PE-stamped structure, MEP, energy calcs). Read The Florida Reality Check before you order shells or sign contracts.

In the current Orlando area, permitted long-term leases often land near $1,200–$1,600 for studios and $1,400–$2,000 for 1-bed units—location, finish, and size move the number. See rental income opportunity and stress-test on the ADU calculator.

In Orange County (unincorporated), STR under 30 days is prohibited for ADUs in most residential zones. Orlando has different homeshare rules. Verify jurisdiction before you plan STR income—not estimates from national STR averages.

A permitted, foundation-built ADU can add permanent appraised value versus temporary structures. Market uplift depends on size, finish, and rentability. Read forced appreciation & permitted ADUs.

Use the ADU calculator for rent, cash flow, and conservative assumptions, and the Florida ADU budget worksheet for all-in cost planning. Download the Starter Kit for checklists.

Yes on many lots—roof catchment, first-flush diversion, opaque storage, and overflow routing must be engineered for Florida wet seasons and local plumbing rules. Start with Rainwater Collection for Tiny Homes or the deep ADU deluge guide (includes a PDF lead magnet).

Reduce loads first—envelope, mini-split sizing, and air sealing—then size PV and batteries. Read Staged Resilience: Efficiency Before Solar and Solar and Battery Basics.

It is designing the home and landscape as one system—compost loops, food forests, water capture, and low-waste plumbing—not just a smaller floor plan. Overview in What Is Regenerative Tiny Living? and the Florida growing zones tool for planting context.

Browse our curated Florida tiny home communities directory—stewardship-led villages, long-term-lease parks, and primary-source links. Read stewardship-led tiny villages to understand what separates real communities from RV spam listings.

A smaller footprint frees lot area for gardens, rainwater, and closed-loop systems—but self-sufficiency still requires code-aware planning. Start with self-sufficiency & decentralized utilities and backyard homesteading on small lots.