As a Realtor, I’ve been asked more than a few times about the possibility of building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Hernando County. Usually the questions are pretty practical:
Can I build one for a family member?
Can I rent it out?
What are the size limits?
When I started digging for answers online, I noticed something right away — the information wasn’t very clear, and a lot of it was outdated or contradictory. So instead of guessing or repeating bad info, I went straight to the source and contacted the Hernando County zoning office directly.
Here’s what I learned.
In Hernando County, an ADU is allowed only as an addition to an owner-occupied single-family home. That means you can’t build a detached guest house in the backyard and call it an ADU under current rules. The additional living space has to be attached to the main house.
Only one ADU is allowed per property, and the lot can have no more than two total dwelling units — the primary home and the ADU. The ADU also has to remain clearly secondary to the main house. In practical terms, that means its maximum habitable square footage cannot exceed 50% of the livable area of the primary residence.
An ADU is allowed to have its own kitchen, bathroom, sleeping area, and laundry, so it can function as a fully independent living space. That’s good news for homeowners looking to house family members or create flexible living arrangements.
One important detail: the property must be owner-occupied. If you’re thinking about buying a home solely as an investment and adding an ADU, this is a rule you’ll want to pay close attention to. Zoning and permitting also still apply, so plans must meet all building codes and be approved through the proper channels.
If you’re considering building an ADU — or buying a home where this might be an option — it’s worth getting clear on the rules before moving forward. Zoning regulations can change, and every property is different.
If you want to talk through whether an ADU might work for your situation, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned and help you think through the options.
