ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Kissimmee, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Kissimmee.
You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling unit — a garage apartment, casita, or similar. Constructing a new habitable structure is building work, and FBC 105.2 (adopted by Kissimmee via Sec. 9-251) exempts only certain gas, mechanical, and plumbing work; the state list has no Building category, so nothing on the building side is exempt. Kissimmee added no local exempt list of its own. Beyond the building permit, an ADU is also subject to the city's Land Development Code zoning rules for accessory uses, which are a separate approval, not a substitute for the permit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Fee | The code sets permit fees on a project-valuation scale (Sec. 9-141) rather than a fixed ADU amount. Kissimmee publishes its full fees at https://www.kissimmee.gov/Home. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023, as adopted by Kissimmee (Sec. 9-251) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Kissimmee 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
Kissimmee's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kissimmee | — | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Orlando | 12 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build a garage apartment, c… |
| Lakeland | 37 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Deltona | 43 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Melbourne | 48 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Daytona Beach | 64 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 Kissimmee
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Kissimmee?
The code sets permit fees on a project-valuation scale (Sec. 9-141) rather than a fixed ADU amount. Kissimmee publishes its full fees at https://www.kissimmee.gov/Home.. 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?
Kissimmee 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.