Which code covers Brandon?
The Hillsborough County Land Development Code, Section 6.11.02, Accessory Dwelling Standards. Tampa's ADU map and 950 sq ft rule do not apply in Brandon.
What does the county code allow?
A 2026 published summary of the county code reports the following. We confirm each point with county Development Services for your parcel, because we could not read the primary text directly:
- ADUs are a conditional use in several agricultural and single-family districts, checked during building permit review rather than at a public hearing.
- Up to 900 sq ft of living space, with one ADU per lot.
- The property must be owner-occupied.
- Rear and side setbacks vary by zoning district.
Does my HOA have a say?
Possibly. If your home is in a deed-restricted subdivision, the recorded declaration may limit second units or require architectural approval, regardless of what the county allows. Read it before paying for plans; see the HOA guide.
What about water and sewer?
Depending on the neighborhood, a home may be on county water and sewer or on a well and septic system. A septic system may need evaluation or upgrading to handle a second dwelling. We check the utility situation during the site visit.
Will the county approve my lot?
It depends on the zoning district, the lot dimensions and the setbacks for that district. Two neighboring homes can be in different districts. We start by pulling the parcel zoning and reading the district table.
Related
Rules as of October 2026. Sources: Hillsborough County Land Development Code Sec. 6.11.02 (via a published 2026 summary, not yet confirmed against the primary text).
Find out what your Brandon lot allows
Send the address. We pull the county zoning district and its setbacks.