ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Largo, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Largo.
Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, casita, mother-in-law suite) requires a permit and must meet current Florida Building Code standards. City rules also cap it at 800 sq ft (or 50 percent of the principal unit's living area, whichever is less), allow one ADU per lot, and require owner occupancy of either unit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | 16.14.4 |
| Based on | Largo Comprehensive Development Code (FBC 2023 adopted by reference) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Largo 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
Largo'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largo | — | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Clearwater | 5 mi | Yes | ADU разрешён как accessory use в жилых зонах (LDR/LMDR/MD… |
| St. Petersburg | 13 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Tampa | 18 mi | Yes | You need permits to build an accessory dwelling unit. An … |
| Lakeland | 51 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| North Port | 69 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
See every Florida city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Largo
Questions people ask
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Largo 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.