Florida Senate Greenlights Game-Changing Bill to Boost Backyard Housing Opportunities

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In a move poised to provide much-needed relief in the face of escalating housing costs, the Florida State Senate has given unanimous support to a new bill. This legislation paves the way for homeowners to construct small dwellings on their properties, fostering an avenue for more affordable housing alternatives.

The approved bill mandates local governments to authorize the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), often referred to as granny flats or mother-in-law suites, in any area zoned for single-family homes. This practice is not new to some regions, like Orange County, where residents have already begun utilizing the opportunity to expand their living spaces.

One such resident, Mary Page, has embraced this initiative by building a 500-square-foot unit behind her home in Pine Hills, utilizing a pre-approved design from Orange County’s “Ready Set Orange” program. Her motivation is heartfelt; she plans to offer it as a gift to a friend struggling to find affordable housing.

Florida State Senator Don Gaetz highlighted the potential impact of these units, emphasizing, “ADUs can increase workforce housing because they are cheaper to build and rent, and they are often situated in areas where employees need to live close to their jobs.”

Furthermore, the legislation simplifies the process of getting these units approved. Gaetz elaborated, “This bill ensures ADUs are approved without the need for a public hearing variance, conditional use permit, or special exemption, provided the site plan adheres to existing zoning regulations.”

The bill includes several key provisions: local governments cannot prohibit homeowners from renting out these units, though they may restrict rentals shorter than one month. The legislation also prevents municipalities from increasing parking requirements for properties with ADUs and protects homeowners’ homestead exemptions.

While the bill now returns to the Florida House for approval, not all jurisdictions have embraced similar policies. In California, San Diego recently modified its ADU regulations after council members raised concerns that the broad law allowed property owners to effectively construct apartment buildings on large lots.

As Florida grapples with its housing affordability crisis, the state appears poised to embrace ADUs as part of the solution, though the final form of the law remains to be determined.