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ADU design and permits in Tampa Bay

We research the parcel, prepare a complete plan set and carry it through review, so construction starts on an approved permit.

Start my lot check See the full process

Floor plan and site plan drawings: An architect working on a draft with a pencil and ruler

What is in an ADU permit set?

A boundary survey and a site plan with setbacks, parking and drainage.
Architectural plans: floor plan, elevations, sections and details.
Structural plans for Florida Building Code wind loads, by a licensed engineer or architect.
Florida energy code calculations.
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical layouts.
Flood elevation details and certificates when the parcel is in a flood zone.
Florida Product Approval numbers for windows, doors and roofing.

How do the local offices differ?

As of October 2026:

Tampa: the city points owners to its ADU GIS map viewer and to Development & Growth Management for zoning, site plan and permit questions.
St. Petersburg: plans go through the ePlan system; the city cites about 3 to 5 business days for plan review and roughly $1,020 in permit fees for an 800 sq ft ADU with one bathroom.
Clearwater: ADU standards sit in the Community Development Code as updated by Ordinance 9758-24.
Hillsborough County: Brandon and Riverview permits go to the county.

Do design rules apply?

Often. St. Petersburg asks that additions or detached structures match the home's architectural style. Clearwater asks detached ADUs to share the main house's window style, paint scheme and roof design. Tampa's overlay districts have their own guides. HOAs may layer on their own review.

How do I verify a contractor?

Florida licenses construction contractors through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). You can look up any license on MyFloridaLicense.com. Our license and insurance details come with your written quote. St. Petersburg also notes that a licensed contractor is generally required unless an owner-occupant qualifies under the owner-builder option in Chapter 489.

Can I start from a stock plan?

It depends on the parcel. A stock plan can save design time on a flat, rectangular lot outside a flood zone. On a corner lot, a lot with a protected tree or one that needs a raised floor, the adjustments can cost as much as drawing it fresh. We tell you which is cheaper for your lot.

Find out what your lot allows

Send the address. We pull the zoning, the flood data and the local submittal checklist.