Tampa out of state SFH+ADU second home

Tampa, Florida
Out of State Investing
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Tampa out of state SFH+ADU second home

Trace Adams
Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2024 · 28 posts · 27 votes

Hi all, I own a primary residence in the Denver area which I house hacked, and am looking to buy a second home in the Tampa/St Pete area. I am looking for a single family house with a MIL suite or ADU of some sort. The idea would be to rent the main part of the house out full time as a LTR, and then use the ADU for my personal use and rent it out as a MTR/STR when I am not there.

The issues I could run into with this strategy are 1) it looks like ADU's are only allowed if the owner resides in the primary residence, and 2) it looks like STR's are not allowed in most residential areas (which is fine honestly, I am fine doing MTR for the ADU).

Does anyone have any thoughts on the above or any other considerations for this strategy?

Thanks!

Trace Adams

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  • Raymond J. RodriguesBusiness Member
    Lender · Miami, FL · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 797 votes
    1y

    Hey @Trace Adams, reach out to @Josh Green. He has helped countless amounts of investors from BP in the areas that you mentioned, do exactly what it is that you’re looking to do. He is also an investor himself, so he knows exactly how to guide you in this situation to ensure your success.

    [email protected]619-456-8311
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  • Jorge VazquezBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Tampa, FL · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 693 votes
    1y

    Hey Trace, great questions—and after doing this for 20 years, owning close to 40 properties (a mix of long-term and short-term), and buying my first 10 homes pretty much the same way you’re thinking, I can say your strategy is solid. You’re right that Tampa only allows ADUs in certain zones and usually requires owner occupancy, and STRs under 7 days aren’t allowed in most residential spots. But mid-term and long-term setups still work great if you pick the right area. I’ve helped a ton of out-of-state investors do this, and happy to help!

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  • Christian Tateo
    Member since 2025 · 52 posts · 12 votes
    1y

    Hey Trace,

    Great to see you thinking strategically about the Tampa/St. Pete market! I’m actively involved in that area and would be happy to be a resource for you as you explore options.

    You’re spot-on with your observations—Tampa does have specific zoning regulations around ADUs and STRs. Some areas may be more flexible (especially unincorporated parts or specific neighborhoods), but it's crucial to verify zoning and licensing rules at the city or county level depending on where you buy.

    A couple things to consider:

    • Owner-occupancy requirements can vary by municipality. Some areas are stricter than others, especially when it comes to renting out an ADU.

    • MTRs (30+ day stays) are typically a solid workaround in areas with STR restrictions and can provide great cash flow, especially near hospitals or universities.

    • If you're financing the deal, make sure the lender is okay with the intended use (especially if part of the property will be rented).

    If you’d like, I can help you dig into specific neighborhoods or connect you with local property managers or agents who specialize in this type of setup. Feel free to reach out!

    Best of luck with your next move!

    -Christian Tateo

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  • Amber Stout
    Lender · Tampa/Saint Petersburg, FL · Member since 2014 · 356 posts · 148 votes
    1y

    Hey Trace! Great strategy — you're right about Tampa's ADU rules being a bit more flexible with MTR. There are pockets that allow STRs — you just need to work with the right agent who really knows the zoning.

    Happy to connect you with someone local if you want help identifying those areas or running numbers. I’m based in St. Pete and invest here too — always down to share insights!

    – Amber

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  • David Garcia
    Financial Advisor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 61 posts · 33 votes
    1y

    Hello Trace, @Josh Green is a great resource to reach out to. He is one of the most knowledgeable investor/realtors you will come across. He was very helpful for me in my situation. I currently own a SFH with an ADU that I rent out. I have helped others get tenants in their units when having troubles doing so. I also work with section 8 as well. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

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