ADU Guides
Step-by-step guides for Central Florida homeowners planning an accessory dwelling unit — from first survey to certificate of occupancy.
The guides section is the tactical companion to the county reference pages. If the county pages answer “what are the rules here,” the guides answer “what do I actually do next.”
We keep each guide short enough to finish in one sitting and specific enough that the steps are verifiable. Every guide is dated and linked to the primary sources it relies on. When a rule changes, the guide gets updated and the change is noted at the top of the page.
ADU Options in The Villages and Surrounding Communities
Caregiver cottages and secondary dwellings in The Villages: deed restrictions first, county rules second, surrounding communities are more flexible.
Cómo verificar si su lote en el Centro de Florida puede tener una ADU
Consulte el registro de su parcela, lea los retiros del plano y vea si un ADU cabe en su propiedad — antes de gastar un centavo en diseño.
Does My Kissimmee Lot Qualify for an ADU? Five Questions, No Address Required
Five public-record checks that tell you whether a Kissimmee property qualifies for an ADU — no address form, no email required, five minutes using free tools.
How to Check if Your Central Florida Lot Can Accommodate an ADU
Pull your parcel record, read your survey setbacks, and determine whether an ADU will fit your property — before you spend a dollar on design.
How to Request Three Competitive ADU Bids
How to solicit and compare Central Florida ADU bids — the bid package, the scope equivalency trap, and how to read proposals side by side.
How to Verify a Florida Contractor's License Before Signing
Check a Florida contractor's license on MyFloridaLicense and verify workers' comp coverage — the two steps that protect Central Florida ADU owners.
What to Know About ADUs and Septic Systems in Central Florida
On septic in Central Florida? An ADU means an FDOH permit, often a system upgrade, and an $8,000–$25,000 budget line to price before you commit.