An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a second, smaller home on the same lot as your house: a detached cottage, an attached in-law suite or a converted garage. In Broward County, families build them for parents, adult children, guests or a home office. Here is what decides whether you can build one and what the process looks like.
Is an ADU allowed on my lot?
There is no single Broward rule. Each city, and unincorporated Broward, sets its own code, and the answer depends on your zoning district. The city code typically controls:
- whether a second living unit is allowed at all, and whether it can be detached;
- the maximum size, often tied to the size of the main house or the lot;
- setbacks from property lines, height limits and lot coverage;
- parking, and whether the owner must live on the property;
- whether the unit can be rented, and for how long.
HOA documents can add their own limits, and some properties are on septic, which limits where a new bathroom and building can go. We check all of this for your parcel before any design work.
Detached, attached or garage conversion?
- Detached ADU: the most privacy, but needs the most yard, its own foundation and utility runs.
- Attached addition: shares a wall with the house; often easier where a detached unit is not allowed.
- Garage conversion: uses an existing structure, usually the fastest and least expensive, but you lose the garage and may need to replace parking.
Permits and hurricane code
An ADU is a full building permit: architectural and structural drawings, energy calculations, and plumbing, electrical and mechanical plans. Broward is in Florida's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, so windows, doors and roofing must carry approvals for that zone, and the structure is engineered for hurricane winds. Flood zones can also set a minimum floor elevation.
A realistic timeline
- Feasibility and design: about 2 to 6 weeks.
- Permit review: often 1 to 3 months, depending on the city and how many comment rounds there are.
- Construction: about 2 to 4 months for a typical detached unit.
Most projects take about 4 to 6 months from design to completion, sometimes longer when the permit review is slow.
What affects the cost
Size, detached versus attached, foundation and utility runs, finishes, and site access are the big drivers. Our ADU construction page has a cost calculator to get a starting range.
Next steps
We design, permit and build ADUs in Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Davie, Miramar, Cooper City, Plantation and Fort Lauderdale. Start with our ADU construction page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent out an ADU in Broward?
It depends on the city and zoning. Some allow long-term rentals, some limit ADUs to family members, and short-term rentals have separate rules. We check your city's code first.
Is a garage conversion cheaper than a detached ADU?
Usually, because the foundation, walls and roof already exist. You may need to replace the parking the garage provided.
How long does an ADU take in Broward?
Most projects take about 4 to 6 months from design to completion; permit review is the most variable part.
