Thinking about adding a steady rental to your Lake Nona property? An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, can create long-term income and flexibility for family needs. Orlando’s rules are workable, and Lake Nona owners get a helpful local allowance. In this guide, you’ll learn what the City allows, the Lake Nona PD perk, how to permit and connect utilities, and what to know before you lease. Let’s dive in.
What Orlando allows for ADUs
Orlando permits ADUs on many residential lots when you meet zoning and building standards. Start by confirming your property’s zoning and jurisdiction, then review the City’s ADU standards and process on the official Accessory Dwelling Units page. You can find eligibility, size, and siting rules there along with links to permitting tools. City of Orlando ADU guidance
Size and FAR basics
Outside special districts, the combined floor area of your main house plus ADU cannot exceed a 0.50 floor area ratio, which equals 50% of your lot area. For example, on a 6,000 square foot lot, the total house plus ADU area is generally capped at 3,000 square feet. Your ADU must be smaller than the primary home. Certain historic districts cap ADUs at 700 square feet. Always confirm your lot’s FAR and zoning before designing. City ADU standards
Location, setbacks, and height
ADUs may be attached or detached. Detached ADUs typically must sit behind the primary home and meet accessory-structure setbacks. If the rear lot line abuts water or wetlands, detached ADUs must be at least 15 feet from the water and no taller than 12 feet. Corner-lot or appearance rules can trigger an appearance review. ADU siting rules
Parking and hardscape limits
You must keep a parking space for the main house behind the front setback. If your ADU is larger than 500 square feet, you need one additional off-street space. Most zones also limit impervious surface area, so extra paving for driveways or pads may be constrained. ADU parking standards
Lake Nona’s PD allowance
Here is the Lake Nona benefit you should know: properties inside the Lake Nona Planned Development are eligible for one ADU up to 1,000 square feet regardless of lot size. This local allowance is not tied to the usual 0.50 FAR cap, but you must still meet PD planning, setback, and design standards. ADU overview with Lake Nona note
If you are unsure whether your address sits inside the Lake Nona PD, review current PD materials or contact City Planning for confirmation. Lake Nona PD planning page
How to design and permit
Pre-checks
- Confirm your property’s zoning and eligibility using the City’s ADU guidance and mapping tools.
- Verify if your lot is inside the Lake Nona PD so you can apply the 1,000 square foot allowance.
- Review your HOA’s covenants. Many Lake Nona neighborhoods have HOA rules, and private restrictions can limit or prohibit ADUs or rentals. Home sharing page with HOA note
Plans, building code, and portal
Your ADU must be a permanent structure on a permanent foundation and meet Florida Building Code and City standards. It needs a kitchen with permanent appliances, a full bathroom, a sleeping area, and a separate exterior entrance. You will submit plans, obtain permits, pass inspections, and receive a Certificate of Occupancy through the City’s digital process. Planning and approvals for ADUs
Utilities and impact fees
If the main house has public water, sewer, and electric, your ADU is expected to connect to those same public utilities. Where a home is on a well or septic, the City and health codes may require connection to public utilities or system upgrades. Start by checking sewer availability and connection fees. Residential sewer connection guidance
Impact fees apply, but there are nuances. ADUs are treated as multifamily for impact fee calculations and are exempt from school impact fees. The City offers an impact fee payment plan that splits payment between permit issuance and final inspection. Confirm current schedules and any credits for your lot. Impact fee payment plan
Renting your ADU long term
Orlando allows you to rent an ADU with a standard residential lease. That means long-term tenants are permitted when your ADU is permitted and legal. City ADU page on rental use
Short-term rentals are different. Home sharing, which requires the host to be present and limits the portion of the dwelling you can rent, needs City registration and carries its own fees and renewals. Whole-unit transient rentals have separate zoning limits and permits. If you want short-term use, follow the City’s short-term rules first. Home Sharing registration
Property taxes and homestead can be complex. Before you build, ask the Orange County Property Appraiser how an ADU could affect your assessment or exemptions. Orange County Property Appraiser
For legal context, Florida Statute 163.31771 addresses ADUs at the state level while allowing local ordinances; in Orlando, the City’s code and planning staff remain your primary guide. Florida Statute 163.31771
Tip: Call your insurance agent before you rent. You may need a landlord endorsement or a separate policy for long-term tenants.
Timeline and budget notes
Plan for a phased process: pre-application questions, plan drafting, permit review, construction, inspections, and final occupancy. The City does not guarantee a fixed timeline, and review times vary by completeness and workload. Use the City portal and staff contacts to understand current lead times and fees.
Budget for design and construction plus utility connections, impact fees, and permit and inspection costs. Garage conversions can cost less than a detached cottage, but site conditions and finishes will drive your total.
Quick checklist for Lake Nona owners
- Confirm zoning and ADU eligibility on the City’s ADU page.
- Verify if your address is inside the Lake Nona PD to use the 1,000 sq ft allowance.
- Discuss concept with City Planning or start a pre-application in the digital permitting portal.
- Review HOA covenants and get written HOA approval if required.
- Check water and sewer availability and estimate connection costs and impact fees.
- Finalize code-compliant plans, pull permits, build, pass inspections, and secure your Certificate of Occupancy.
- Prepare a compliant long-term lease and update your insurance before placing a tenant.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Skipping HOA review, then discovering private restrictions bar ADUs or rentals.
- Miscounting FAR outside the Lake Nona PD and oversizing your design.
- Forgetting the extra parking space for ADUs over 500 square feet.
- Overlooking wetland or water-body setbacks and height limits for detached ADUs.
- Using a short-term rental platform without completing the City’s required registration or permits for that use.
Helpful contacts
- City of Orlando Planning Division: [email protected], 407-246-2269
- Permitting Services, Digital Permitting: [email protected], 407-246-2271
- Water Reclamation, sewer availability: [email protected]
- Orange County Property Appraiser, exemptions: see contact info on the Property Appraiser’s site
Ready to explore properties with ADU potential in Lake Nona, or to understand how an ADU could support your goals when you sell? Let’s talk about your plan and the local steps involved. Connect with The Nest Group for thoughtful guidance and next steps.
FAQs
Can you rent an ADU long term in Orlando?
- Yes. Orlando allows ADUs to be rented with a standard residential lease when the unit is permitted and code compliant. City ADU guidance
What is the Lake Nona ADU size allowance?
- Inside the Lake Nona PD, you may build one ADU up to 1,000 square feet regardless of lot size, subject to PD standards and permits. ADU overview
Do you need extra parking for an ADU?
- The primary home must keep one space behind the front setback, and ADUs over 500 square feet require one additional off-street space. ADU parking
How are impact fees handled for ADUs?
- ADUs are treated as multifamily for impact fee purposes and are exempt from school impact fees. Transportation, parks, and utility connection fees may apply. A payment plan is available. Impact fee plan
What is different about short-term rentals and ADUs?
- Short stays are regulated separately. Home sharing requires City registration and owner presence, and whole-unit transient rentals are limited by zoning and permits. Home Sharing rules
