At the February 21, 2024 Tallahassee City Commission meeting, elected officials voted to introduce an ordinance that would revise sections of the Tallahassee Land Development Code (TLDC) related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or what is commonly called a mother-in-law suite.
Currently, the TLDC allows ADUs to be built up to 800 square feet and be located on any single-family or non-residential lot. Additionally, within the Multi-Modal Transportation District (MMTD), an ADU may be built on any duplex lot.
The recommended ordinance has been drafted to update the TLDC standards related to ADUs to improve the ability to construct ADUs.
City staff noted that “ADUs are widely recognized as one of several tools to help improve housing diversity, affordability, and availability in communities.”
In addition, staff surveyed more than 50 local government zoning codes to assist in identifying nationwide trends and successes.
The proposed revisions (see chart below) included changing the maximum size to 1,200 sq. ft. and allowing ADUs to a separate utility account and address.
The first and only public hearing is scheduled for March 27, 2024.
City Commission Revises Regulations Related to “Mother-In-Law Suites” added by Steve Stewart on
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You are one thousand percent correct, David. This obviously extends WAY beyond what ADUs are intended to be. No doubt that developers are behind this like always. The question of when we are all going to organize to demand that our commissioners work for us as opposed to developers remains.
1,200 SqFt. is not an ADU, it’s a HOUSE. My Home is just over 1,000 SqFt. and it is 3 Beds, 1.5 Baths and a 1 Car Garage. It’s 900 SqFt. without the Garage. What Developer Buddy is wanting to build 12 Homes on 1 Acre? A Mother-In-law Suite is about 350 SqFt. (Big Bedroom, Bath & Closet)