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When Florida passed a statewide law in June 2024 requiring every city and county to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on single-family lots, it didn’t just follow in the footsteps of other pro-housing states, it helped solidify ADUs as a national housing strategy.
Once seen as fringe housing solutions, ADUs—also known as granny flats, casitas, and in-law units—are now at the center of efforts to boost affordability and sustainable growth. Florida’s law is especially notable given the state’s conservative-leaning politics. It signals broad, bipartisan momentum behind small-scale housing.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 184 (SB 184) in June 2024. Enacted July 1, 2025, it mandates that all Florida jurisdictions allow at least one ADU per single-family lot, overriding local bans. While cities and counties maintain control over design standards, setbacks, and placement, they cannot outright block ADU construction. The Florida Housing Coalition praised the bill for creating a “clear and consistent framework” for municipalities from Miami-Dade to Orange County.
To address community concerns, SB 184 forbids ADUs from being used as rentals for under 30 days and explicitly confirms that adding an ADU will not strip homeowners of Florida's valuable homestead tax exemption, which limits assessed value growth and reduces property taxes.
Florida's law brings ADUs into the mainstream. Especially common in pre-war U.S. neighborhoods and widely adopted in Canadian cities like Vancouver since the 1990s, Canada's Mortgage and Housing Corporation credits ADUs for increasing housing options without sprawl. In the U.S., states including California, Oregon, Washington, and Maine previously eased ADU restrictions. According to the Terner Center for Housing Innovation, a 2016 legislative overhaul in California, which streamlined the permitting process and limited local barriers, helped trigger a dramatic rise in ADU construction throughout the state.
In 2020, San Diego launched its ADU Bonus Program, which allowed multiple ADUs per lot if one remained rent restricted. By 2023, the city was approving nearly 2,000 ADUs annually, primarily in transit-accessible areas. According to the City of San Diego’s Development Services, it was a powerful move toward sustainable growth.
However, in mid-2025 city officials proposed changes aimed at dialing back the program’s reach. New limits on building height, tighter rules in wildfire-prone areas, and additional parking requirements for properties outside major transit corridors were introduced in response to community concerns about neighborhood character, safety, and infrastructure. These proposed changes, which are still under review, reflect the challenges of balancing housing production with local livability.
Florida’s statewide clarity contrasts with California’s patchwork approach. While California embraces pro-ADU legislation, execution varies city by city. This approach can lead to confusion and inconsistent permitting for homeowners and builders. By comparison, Florida's SB 184 offers one fixed rule across the state: every homeowner has the right to build at least one ADU. As noted in Florida's House Bill Summary, this simplicity may reduce delays, increase confidence, and open housing opportunities in high-demand areas.
This is more than policy—it’s a statement. ADUs have received the backing of both red and blue states as a practical housing strategy.
For homeowners in San Diego, which is still one of the more ADU-friendly places in the country, it’s a sign that ADUs are here to stay. Despite local adjustments, the broader momentum favors flexible, backyard housing.
For builders, architects, and developers, Florida opens a vast new market. Expect growing demand for prefabricated ADUs, streamlined plans, and efficient permitting systems.
For policymakers and advocates, Florida’s law provides a playbook for how to impose clear rules, local flexibility, and homeowner protection. It also shows how ADU policy can empower communities without compromising neighborhood character.
Florida’s ADU law isn’t about ideology, it’s more of a reflection of how housing pressures transcend politics. Communities from coast to coast are converging on a shared truth: small-scale homes offer an effective tool against sprawl and cost barriers.
The real debate now isn’t whether ADUs should be allowed, but how to make them simpler, faster, and more accessible for everyday homeowners. As more states follow Florida’s lead, backyard homes will soon become less of an experiment and more of a standard option.
Quick Tip: ADU rules vary widely and change fast. If you're considering building one, check with your local planning department or consult an ADU specialist to stay on top of the current requirements.
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.
Looking for more ADU news? Continue exploring in-depth articles on California accessory dwelling unit laws, policy updates, and development trends.
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