Florida just legalized ADUs statewide. Here's why San Diego should pay attention

Florida is the latest state to make a bold move on backyard housing.

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In June 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 184 (SB 184) into law, requiring every local government in Florida to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on any lot zoned for single-family residential use. The law, which takes effect on July 1, 2025, overrides local zoning bans and ensures that homeowners statewide can legally build ADUs, also known as granny flats, casitas, or in-law suites, on their properties.

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For a state historically known for giving cities and counties broad land-use control, this kind of statewide mandate represents a major shift. And for places like San Diego, where ADUs have been central to housing strategy for years, Florida’s move signals a broader, bipartisan realignment. Small-scale, flexible housing is becoming mainstream policy.

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What SB 184 does

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The new law requires all Florida counties and municipalities to permit at least one ADU per single-family lot. While local governments retain the authority to regulate size, height, setbacks, and design, they can no longer prohibit ADUs outright. It also prevents local governments from using zoning technicalities or procedural roadblocks to delay or deny ADU construction. The Florida Housing Coalition notes that the bill is designed to establish a clear, statewide baseline that empowers homeowners, especially in high-cost areas like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, to build housing that fits their needs and budgets.

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To preserve neighborhood stability, SB 184 includes a ban on using ADUs as short-term rentals for stays under 30 days. It also reassures homeowners that adding an ADU will not jeopardize their homestead exemption, an important Florida property tax benefit that offers savings on assessed value for a primary residence.

“This bill doesn’t force anyone to build an ADU,” said one supporter during a Florida Senate hearing. “It just gives property owners the right to do so if they choose.”

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Why San Diego should care

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Florida’s move isn’t happening in a vacuum. It reflects a national trend toward easing restrictions on ADUs. Many more progressive states have passed pro-ADU legislation in recent years. With Florida joining the movement, it’s clear that ADUs have become a bipartisan solution to the housing crisis.

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In many ways, San Diego was ahead of the curve. The city’s ADU Bonus Program, launched in 2020, allowed homeowners in certain areas to build multiple ADUs on a single lot if they agreed to restrict some of them as affordable rentals. The result was a sharp rise in backyard building. According to the City of San Diego Development Services Department, by 2023, nearly 1 in 5 new homes permitted in San Diego was an ADU.

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But in June 2025, after pushback from some neighborhood groups, San Diego’s City Council voted to roll back parts of that program. The new amendments impose limits on ADU height, ban ADUs in cul-de-sacs with high wildfire risk, and reintroduce some off-street parking requirements.

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As San Diego hits the brakes slightly, Florida is stepping on the gas, with statewide ADU approval backed by lawmakers across the political spectrum. That contrast raises an important question: Could California do more to simplify and unify ADU laws across the state?

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The takeaway for homeowners and builders

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If you’re a homeowner who is considering building an ADU, this national momentum is positive news. It suggests that state and federal agencies will likely continue supporting policies and financing tools that make ADUs easier to build. And if you’re a developer, architect, or planner, Florida’s move means a growing market for ADU-ready designs, prefabricated solutions, and flexible construction workflows. Above all, Florida’s law sends a clear message: ADUs aren’t just a San Diego or even a California thing anymore. Instead, they’re an essential part of the future of housing.

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Quick Tip: ADU rules can be complex and vary by location. If you’re considering building one, check with local experts to make sure you understand the current laws and regulations in your area.

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Xavier Rodriguez is the CEO of ADU Geeks, San Diego’s leading ADU consulting and project management firm. In 2024, the company was ranked No. 1 on the San Diego Business Journal’s Fastest Growing Private Companies list in the Small Business category, achieving 594.3% revenue growth.