Customers First. Our Team Always. Quality Without Compromise.
A second home on the lot you already own
An accessory dwelling unit is a second, smaller home on the same lot as your house — its own kitchen, its own bathroom, its own entrance. Jacksonville legalized them across most residential neighborhoods in 2022, and they have become one of the most practical ways to add real living space to a property you already own.
We are licensed building contractors and plumbers. We handle the zoning check, the drawings, the permit and the build.
What Duval County actually allows
There is a lot of wrong information online about Jacksonville ADUs. Several national sites still say you can build up to 1,000 square feet with no owner-occupancy rule. That is not what the ordinance says.
- Limited to 750 square feet, or 25% of the gross floor area of your principal structure — whichever is smaller
- Must sit behind the primary structure, and cannot be placed in a required yard
- Cannot be taller than the main house
- Must follow a similar aesthetic style to the main home
- Requires owner occupancy — the property must have, or qualify for, a homestead exemption
- Can still be blocked by an HOA, so you have to certify whether your property is deed-restricted
That 750 sq ft ceiling is the number that catches most homeowners out. On a 2,000 sq ft house, 25% is 500 sq ft — the smaller figure governs, so 500 is your limit, not 750. We run that calculation before anyone draws anything.
What we build
- Detached backyard cottages
- Garage conversions to attached ADUs
- Above-garage units
- In-law suites with private entrances
- Full utility work — we are licensed plumbers, so the kitchen, bathroom and connections are not subcontracted out
Permitting in Duval County
Applications go through JaxEPICS, the City of Jacksonville’s electronic permitting system, administered by the Building Inspection Division. Expect a first plan-review cycle measured in weeks rather than days, and budget separately for impact fees, which are assessed on top of the permit itself.
Because Duval County sits inside the wind-borne debris region, every new window and door has to be impact-rated and carry a Florida Product Approval or a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance. Jacksonville designs to a 130 mph ultimate design wind speed for standard residential risk category under the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition. This is not optional, and it is not a place to save money — it is what gets you through the final inspection.
What it costs
Permit fees are calculated from construction valuation. Impact fees are separate and can add several thousand dollars. Site conditions — how far the unit sits from existing water, sewer and power — usually move the number more than the finishes do.
We will walk your lot, tell you what is possible under the 750 / 25% rule, and give you a real figure before you commit to anything.
Common questions
Can I rent out my ADU?
Yes, but you have to live on the property. Jacksonville ties ADUs to the homestead exemption, so an investor cannot buy a house purely to build and rent two units.
Can I convert my garage instead of building new?
Often yes, and it is usually cheaper. The same size and occupancy rules apply once it becomes a dwelling unit. See our garage conversions page.
Will my HOA let me?
The city ordinance does not override a deed restriction. Check your HOA documents first, and we can help you read them.
How long does it take?
Design and permitting is usually the longest part. Construction on a straightforward detached unit is a matter of months, not weeks.
