ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Melbourne, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Melbourne.
You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling unit, whether a garage apartment, casita, or other detached unit. Florida's exempt list covers only gas, mechanical, and plumbing work; there is no Building category, so a new dwelling unit is not exempt at any size. Zoning rules in the land development code also control where and whether an ADU is allowed.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Fee | The code lists no dollar amount. Building permit fees are set by city council resolution (Sec. 13.45) and are published by the building department at www.melbourneflorida.org. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2; Sec. 13.45 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code / Florida Residential Building Code, current editions, as adopted by Melbourne (Sec. 13.80) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Melbourne 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
Melbourne'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | — | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Orlando | 42 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build a garage apartment, c… |
| Kissimmee | 48 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Port St. Lucie | 60 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Deltona | 64 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Lakeland | 79 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
See every Florida city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Melbourne
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Melbourne?
The code lists no dollar amount. Building permit fees are set by city council resolution (Sec. 13.45) and are published by the building department at www.melbourneflorida.org.. 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?
Melbourne 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.