ADU and guest house plans in Tampa
A second small home on your lot can house a parent, a grown child or a tenant, and the rules on where you can build one have loosened across Tampa Bay. What's allowed still depends on your exact zoning, so that's the first thing we check.
Projects we design
- A detached backyard cottage for a parent or adult child
- An apartment over a new or existing garage
- Converting a detached garage or workshop into living space
- A rental unit on a lot that allows it
- A pool house with a bath and kitchenette
- A home office or studio that may become a dwelling later
What the drawings cover
Zoning summary
A written summary of what your district allows, so you know the size and placement limits before design.
Site plan
The unit placed on the lot with setbacks, separation from the main house, parking and utility routing.
Floor plan and elevations
Efficient layouts for 400 to 900 square feet, with storage, light and privacy worked out.
Structural and foundation
Slab or elevated foundation and wind-resistant framing, sealed as the permit requires.
Garage conversions
Insulating, ventilating and bringing an existing garage up to habitable standards, including the floor height question.
How an ADU design goes
- Zoning check. Whether your lot allows an accessory dwelling, the maximum size, height, setbacks, parking and any owner-occupancy rules.
- Site and utilities. Where it sits on the lot, how it connects to water, sewer and power, and how it affects drainage and trees.
- Plans and elevations. A compact layout that lives well, with the exterior matched to the main house.
- Permit set. Construction drawings, structural and energy forms, sealed as required, prepared for submittal.
What affects the price
- Size of the unit and whether it's new construction or a conversion.
- Utility connections, especially sewer and electrical service upgrades.
- Flood zone and whether the unit must be elevated.
- Whether the design includes a garage below or is a single-story cottage.
You get a written scope and fee for the design work before anything is drawn.
ADUs in Tampa Bay
Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa and St. Petersburg each have their own accessory dwelling rules, and they have changed in recent years. Size caps, height, side and rear setbacks, parking and whether the owner must live on the property all vary by jurisdiction and zoning district. Older neighborhoods with alleys, like parts of Seminole Heights and Old Northeast, suit garage apartments well; suburban lots in Brandon or Lutz usually have room for a detached cottage.
Utilities drive the budget. A sewer tie-in that crosses the yard, an electrical panel upgrade or a lift station can cost as much as the finishes, so we locate them early.
Common questions
Can I build an ADU on my lot?
It depends on the jurisdiction and zoning district, and it's the first thing we check. Many single-family districts in Tampa Bay now allow one, with limits on size and placement.
Can I rent it out?
Many jurisdictions allow long-term rental of an ADU; short-term rental rules are separate and often stricter. We'll point you to the local rule, but confirm with the jurisdiction before counting on rental income.
How big can it be?
Typically a percentage of the main house or a fixed cap in the range of several hundred to around a thousand square feet, depending on the jurisdiction.
Does it need its own meter?
Not usually, but the electrical service and panel often need to be upgraded to carry a second kitchen and HVAC system. The drawings show the load calculation.
Related services
Areas we serve
ADU and guest house plans across Tampa and these nearby communities: