LAKELAND, FLORIDA - Attached ADU Questions

[Brandon P.]

My wife and I have a house under contract in Lakeland, Florida (Polk County) with no HOA. Our ideal plan was to rent out a portion of the house to long term tenants as we house hack our first deal. We are ok with the idea of doing Airbnb for a few months, but eventually want the house to be divided and to rent long term. I have been on a roller coaster ride trying to figure out all the ins and outs of ADU's and the zoning per the county codes and laws.

This house has a natural flow plan to put up a wall and section off the house for a long term tenet. All we need to do is to add a small kitchen, block the hallway off, and add an outside separate entrance. Voila finished... maybe not...

A planner in Polk county told me that only backyard ADU's are permissible, and "such structures are for occasional housing and may not be used as rental or permanent housing." in a email. This ADU as mentioned previously will not be detached, it is already part of the SFR, but still he assured me that "Dividing the home into separate dwelling units would not be permitted." I really was under the assumption that if there was no HOA, ADU's were generally permissible and allowable to rent out in this area. Also to mention, we will not be doing separate electric meters, because this could constitute as a duplex, and that would require 10 acres of land in Polk county, he told me.

From the messages I received, is long term renting allowed in Polk? Are there no other people utilizing ADU's here?

If you are familiar with Polk County in central Florida, please message me. I feel a little lost at the moment, my realtor also doesn't seem like she has the local knowledge about ADU's or long term leasing.

**When I refer to ADU I am referring to an ADU in the house, not a DADU (detached accessory dwelling unit). Nothing to the outer structure of the home will be altered. Also, below is section 206 of Polk where the planner directed me. Where does it say I can't do this?**

I really appreciate any feedback and help on this. 

[Tyler Gibson]

Quote from @Brandon P.:

My wife and I have a house under contract in Lakeland, Florida (Polk County) with no HOA. Our ideal plan was to rent out a portion of the house to long term tenants as we house hack our first deal. We are ok with the idea of doing Airbnb for a few months, but eventually want the house to be divided and to rent long term. I have been on a roller coaster ride trying to figure out all the ins and outs of ADU's and the zoning per the county codes and laws.

This house has a natural flow plan to put up a wall and section off the house for a long term tenet. All we need to do is to add a small kitchen, block the hallway off, and add an outside separate entrance. Voila finished... maybe not...

A planner in Polk county told me that only backyard ADU's are permissible, and "such structures are for occasional housing and may not be used as rental or permanent housing." in a email. This ADU as mentioned previously will not be detached, it is already part of the SFR, but still he assured me that "Dividing the home into separate dwelling units would not be permitted." I really was under the assumption that if there was no HOA, ADU's were generally permissible and allowable to rent out in this area. Also to mention, we will not be doing separate electric meters, because this could constitute as a duplex, and that would require 10 acres of land in Polk county, he told me.

From the messages I received, is long term renting allowed in Polk? Are there no other people utilizing ADU's here?

If you are familiar with Polk County in central Florida, please message me. I feel a little lost at the moment, my realtor also doesn't seem like she has the local knowledge about ADU's or long term leasing.

**When I refer to ADU I am referring to an ADU in the house, not a DADU (detached accessory dwelling unit). Nothing to the outer structure of the home will be altered. Also, below is section 206 of Polk where the planner directed me. Where does it say I can't do this?**

I really appreciate any feedback and help on this. 

Sounds like there is a difference in terminology. When you say ADU I think detached. I think this city employee thought the same thing and so he gave you this regulation. I find the planning and zoning people are not in the office to try and help you figure out how to do something. They answer yes or no questions. You say ADU they think detached and give you this regulation. Perhaps call back hope for someone new and say. Hey, could I modify my home so that there is a mother in law suite with an exterior entrance? that is it that is all no more no less. It sounds like from what @Gavin Welch is saying you would not be able to split utilities and if that is a deal-breaker walk. It sounds like you are trying to turn the house into a duplex and it probably is not zoned for that use.