Florida SB 48: New 2026 ADU Laws Homeowners Need to Know

Florida’s New ADU Mandate: What SB 48 Means for Your Backyard

For years, building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Florida was a "maybe." It depended on your city, your neighbors, and often, a long string of public hearings.

That era is officially ending.

Florida Senate Bill 48 (2026) has sent a clear message to municipalities: it’s time to make room. This landmark legislation mandates that local governments across the state simplify the path for homeowners to build secondary units—often called granny flats or in-law suites.

The Key Pillars of Florida SB 48

The bill introduces several protections for homeowners that previously didn't exist at a statewide level. Here is the breakdown:

• The "By Right" Mandate: By December 1, 2026, every county and municipality must adopt an ordinance allowing ADUs in areas zoned for single-family residential use. "By right" means if you meet the building codes, you don't need a public hearing or a special exception to start.

• Parking Relief: Cities can no longer impose "undue" parking restrictions. Specifically, they cannot require extra parking if your driveway can already accommodate another vehicle without blocking the main house.

• Homestead Protection: One of the biggest wins for Florida residents is the clarification on taxes. SB 48 ensures that adding a rental ADU won't cause you to lose your primary homestead exemption (though the ADU itself may be assessed separately based on its use).

• Short-Term Rental Limits: To balance neighborhood character, the bill allows municipalities to prohibit rentals of less than 30 days.

Watch this quick 60-second breakdown of how SB 48 removes the 'backyard bureaucracy' and protects your rights as a Florida homeowner.

In this quick 60-second breakdown, learn how Florida SB 48 removes common municipal "loopholes"—like restrictive parking requirements—to ensure your right to build an in-law suite or guest house is protected. Check out the full details on how these new Florida ADU laws protect your homestead exemption.

Why Municipalities are Getting Out of the Way

The goal of SB 48 is to solve Florida’s housing shortage by using existing land. By empowering homeowners to become "small-scale developers," the state is increasing the supply of workforce housing and affordable options for seniors without the need for massive apartment complexes.

Navigating the New Rules with Mesocore

While the law makes it easier to get permission, it doesn't make the construction any less daunting—unless you change your building method.

As Florida municipalities update their codes to meet the December 2026 deadline, MesoCore is uniquely positioned to help homeowners take advantage of these new rights immediately.

• Code-Compliant Engineering: Our hybrid units are built with a steel-and-concrete core designed specifically to meet (and exceed) Florida’s stringent hurricane and building codes.

• Speed to Market: Since SB 48 removes the "discretionary review" delays, the only thing standing between you and rental income is the build time. Our hybrid construction process delivers a permanent, high-quality home in a fraction of the time of traditional stick-built construction.

• Turnkey Efficiency: From integrated plumbing to high-efficiency HVAC, Mesocore units are engineered to plug into your existing property infrastructure with minimal disruption to your daily life.

The Clock is Ticking

If you’ve been waiting for the "right time" to add a guest house or rental unit to your Florida property, SB 48 has provided the green light. As cities scramble to update their ordinances, now is the time to plan.

Ready to see how a Mesocore unit fits your property under the new Florida guidelines? Explore our ADU or contact us today for a site feasibility consultation.