ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Daytona Beach, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Daytona Beach.
You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, casita, or similar); it is new building construction. Florida's list of work that skips a permit covers only gas, mechanical, and plumbing jobs and has no Building category, so a new dwelling unit is not exempt at any size. Daytona Beach adopted the Florida Building Code by reference (LDC Sec. 9.1); zoning rules for accessory structures control where such a unit may sit but do not replace the building permit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Fee | The code lists no dollar amounts. Building permit fees are based on the value of the work; a plans-review deposit of one-half the permit fee is due when the work is worth more than $10,000. Current amounts are at https://www.codb.us/. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023, as adopted by Daytona Beach (LDC Sec. 9.1) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Daytona Beach building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
If you skip it
Any person who commences work without first obtaining all required construction permits is assessed a penalty as provided in the city's fee schedule (Land Development Code, Appendix B).
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daytona Beach | — | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Deltona | 21 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Palm Coast | 25 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Orlando | 55 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build a garage apartment, c… |
| Kissimmee | 64 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Melbourne | 79 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
See every Florida city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Daytona Beach
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Daytona Beach?
The code lists no dollar amounts. Building permit fees are based on the value of the work; a plans-review deposit of one-half the permit fee is due when the work is worth more than $10,000. Current amounts are at https://www.codb.us/.. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Daytona Beach can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.