ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Tallahassee, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Tallahassee.
You need a building permit to construct an accessory dwelling unit such as a garage apartment or casita. Building a new dwelling unit is building work, and Florida's exempt list (FBC 105.2) covers only gas, mechanical, and plumbing jobs, so new construction is not exempt. The city's zoning also treats an ADU as a regulated accessory dwelling (density-bonus incentives and site-plan review apply on top of the building permit).
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a building permit to construct an accessory dwel… |
| Fee | The code lists no dollar amounts. Fees come from a schedule the city commission adopts by resolution (Sec. 3-180) and are published by the city at www.talgov.com. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2; Sec. 9-151 (development review); Sec. 10-280.7 (ADU) |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023 |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Tallahassee 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
If you start the work before you get the permit, you owe a penalty of 100 percent of the usual permit fee on top of the normal fee, which makes it a double fee. Emergency work may start first, but you must apply within three business days.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tallahassee | — | Yes | You need a building permit to construct an accessory dwel… |
| Gainesville | 126 mi | Yes | You need a building permit and zoning approval to build a… |
| Jacksonville | 155 mi | Yes | You need a building permit and zoning approval to build a… |
| Palm Coast | 191 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Clearwater | 193 mi | Yes | ADU разрешён как accessory use в жилых зонах (LDR/LMDR/MD… |
| Largo | 197 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
See every Florida city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Tallahassee
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Tallahassee?
The code lists no dollar amounts. Fees come from a schedule the city commission adopts by resolution (Sec. 3-180) and are published by the city at www.talgov.com.. 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?
Tallahassee 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.