Progressive Zoning for Accessory Dwellings
America’s oldest city has embraced innovative housing solutions through its thoughtful zoning regulations. According to the City of St. Augustine Planning and Building Department, accessory dwelling units are permitted in designated residential districts, reflecting the city’s commitment to housing diversity and affordability in St. Johns County’s historic market.
ADU Size Regulations and Requirements
In St. Augustine, accessory dwelling units typically cannot exceed 750 square feet or 35% of the primary residence’s living area, whichever is less. This balanced approach ensures ADUs remain truly accessory to the main home while still providing functional living space for occupants. The city’s regulations maintain neighborhood character while creating new housing opportunities across St. Augustine’s distinctive historic and coastal communities.
Location and Design Standards
St. Augustine’s zoning code specifies that ADUs must be constructed on the same lot as the primary residence and maintain setbacks appropriate to the residential zone. The architectural design must complement the primary structure, preserving the visual cohesion of neighborhoods throughout the Ancient City. The St. Augustine Historic Architectural Review Board provides oversight for projects in historic districts to ensure compatibility with the city’s distinctive architectural heritage.
Permitting Process Made Simple
The city has established a streamlined permitting process for qualifying ADUs, recognizing their vital role in addressing housing needs. Homeowners must submit site plans, construction documents, and meet building code requirements focused on safety and preservation—particularly important in this coastal environment where historic preservation, hurricane-resistant construction, and proper flood elevation are essential considerations.
Adaptable Solutions for Historic Coast Living
Accessory living spaces in St. Johns County’s cultural jewel provide flexible housing options that complement the region’s heritage-rich lifestyle. Whether creating space for Flagler College students, visiting tourists, or income-generating vacation rentals, secondary dwellings are valuable additions to St. Augustine properties from the Historic District to Davis Shores to Anastasia Island.
Income Potential in a Premier Tourist Destination
With consistent demand for unique accommodations, carriage houses and garden cottages offer exceptional rental income potential. Visit St. Augustine highlights that proximity to Castillo de San Marcos, St. George Street, historic attractions, and pristine beaches makes these units highly desirable to heritage tourists, snowbirds, and vacation travelers alike.
Enhance Property Investment Value
Adding a secondary dwelling not only increases usable space but also builds substantial long-term value for your property. In Northeast Florida’s distinctive real estate market, this represents a strategic investment yielding both lifestyle enhancement and financial returns for property owners throughout St. Augustine’s diverse neighborhoods.
Independent, Historic, Well-Designed
Accessory units in the Ancient City are compact yet complete—typically featuring colonial or coastal design elements, private entrances, and period-inspired amenities. They’re perfect for tourists, students, or family members seeking independence in a thoughtfully designed space that reflects St. Augustine’s blend of historic charm and coastal convenience.
Thriving Historic Community
St. Johns County’s coastal treasure continues to balance historic preservation, tourist accommodation, and neighborhood enhancement. With increasing demand for authentic living options throughout the region, historically compatible housing solutions naturally complement this evolving landscape spanning colonial streets, bayfront vistas, and established coastal neighborhoods.
Walkability and Historic Connectivity
St. Augustine’s distinctive districts connect residents to unique amenities, from the Colonial Quarter to Lincolnville to Uptown. The St. Augustine Downtown Improvement District emphasizes how pedestrian-friendly environments and historic streetscapes make efficient living particularly practical and enjoyable for residents across various lifestyles.
Distinctive Neighborhood Character
The coastal city encompasses unique districts with authentic identities, from the Historic District to Flagler Model Land neighborhood to Davis Shores. This diverse landscape welcomes innovative housing solutions alongside historic preservation, heritage tourism, and thoughtful development initiatives throughout St. Augustine’s established and emerging neighborhoods.
Climate-Responsive Affordability Solutions
As Northeast Florida addresses housing challenges in a popular tourist market, St. Augustine stands out as a community where innovative small-footprint homes deliver practical solutions for residents seeking sustainable coastal living options with access to both historic amenities and the region’s abundant natural attractions.
Expert Tiny Home Builders in St. Augustine
Searching for qualified tiny home contractors near me? St. Augustine offers experienced builders specializing in accessory dwelling units construction and historically compatible carriage houses. Local ADU contractors deliver turnkey construction services for one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and studio floor plans perfectly suited to St. Johns County’s climate and historic aesthetic standards.
Affordable Tiny Home Solutions and ADU Financing
The cost to build an ADU in St. Augustine varies based on size and specifications, with 400 sq ft, 500 sq ft, 600 sq ft, and 700 sq ft options available at competitive prices. Explore construction loans specifically designed for ADU projects or investigate financing options that make backyard homes affordable investment properties generating vacation rental income.
Diverse ADU Designs: From Foundation to Prefab Options
Whether you prefer custom-built carriage houses on permanent foundations or prefabricated tiny houses with historic styling, St. Augustine accommodates various building approaches. Explore detached ADUs, garage conversions, and even elevated coastal designs—all adhering to Florida building codes including historic district guidelines, hurricane-resistant construction standards, and proper flood elevation requirements.
Colonial-Inspired and Coastal Tiny Living
Historic-compatible tiny house floor plans featuring one-bedroom or two-bedroom layouts offer authentic small-space living. From carriage houses and garden cottages to coastal bungalows and artist studios, these secondary dwellings create versatile living solutions. Explore period-inspired designs with efficient layouts perfect for vacation rentals, college students, or generating tourism income in St. Augustine’s distinctive heritage destination market.
Learn More About Our Process
Invite one of our Certified ADU Specialists to evaluate your property and determine if an ADU can be installed, providing you with a precise estimate!
Collaborate with our skilled design team to craft your ideal ADU, choosing from our standard floor plans or developing a completely custom design tailored to your requirements.
Our permitting team will handle the submission of your designed plans for permits, overseeing the entire process on your behalf.
We manage everything from foundation to finishes, ensuring completion within just 4-6 months!
Once all is finished, we conduct a final walkthrough with you to ensure everything meets your expectations perfectly! Then, we hand over the keys to your brand new ADU!
State law defines an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as a residential space that includes a full bathroom and a kitchen, spans between 250 sq.ft and 1,100 sq.ft, and is officially permitted by local city or county authorities.
In St. Augustine, ADU regulations follow Florida state law while incorporating local zoning requirements. The most important section of the municipal code governing Sec. 8-499. – Accessory structures. ADUs are permitted in residential zones with single-family homes, provided they meet setback requirements, height limitations, and design standards that complement the neighborhood’s character. Sarasota requires ADUs to maintain architectural consistency with the primary residence and may have specific requirements for parking depending on your neighborhood.
The City of St. Augustine provides a comprehensive GIS Map Viewer that allows you to check your property’s zoning designation and various overlays that might affect ADU construction.
During our initial consultation, we’ll help you navigate this resource to verify:
This tool, provided by the Planning Department, helps streamline the pre-planning process and gives you confidence about your property’s eligibility before proceeding with detailed designs.
Our St. Augustine ADUs are specifically engineered to withstand Florida’s tropical climate challenges.
We incorporate:
These climate-specific features ensure your ADU remains comfortable, durable, and safe throughout South Florida’s weather patterns.
We specialize in block-built homes, also known as conventional construction.
Our process begins with a thorough site assessment and design consultation. Once the design is finalized, we commence on-site construction, starting with the foundation and proceeding with framing, roofing, and interior finishes. Additionally, on-site construction allows for greater control over quality and ensures a tailored turn-key solution that meets your specific needs.
Our Goshen ADUs come as a complete turnkey solution designed to provide you with a seamless and hassle-free experience from start to finish. When you choose a Goshen ADU, here’s what you can expect:
Fully Equipped Units: Each ADU is delivered with all the essentials for a comfortable living space, including a fully outfitted kitchen, bathroom, and living area. You also have the option to add bedrooms, tailored to your specific needs.
Custom Design and Professional Guidance: Work directly with our experienced professionals to design your ADU. Our team is here to help you tailor your space to your preferences and requirements.
Architectural Drawings: We provide detailed architectural drawings as part of the service, ensuring that every aspect of the ADU meets both your expectations and regulatory standards.
Permit Handling: Navigating through the permitting process can be complex, but you won’t have to worry about it. We handle all the necessary permits required for constructing your ADU.
Construction from the Ground Up: Our skilled team will construct your unit from the ground up, adhering to the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
Utility Hookups: We take care of all necessary utility hookups, ensuring that your ADU is fully functional and connected to essential services.
Move-In Ready: Once construction is complete, your ADU will be ready for immediate move-in. We ensure everything is set up so that you can start enjoying your new space right away.
With Goshen Tiny Homes, you’re not just purchasing a unit; you’re investing in a comprehensive, worry-free package that allows you to enjoy your new home without the typical stress and challenges of construction and setup.
Our ADUs are delivered fully equipped with a complete kitchen, bathroom, living area, and optional bedrooms, tailored to your preferences.
Here are some detailed features included:
Additionally, there are dozens of upgrades available to further customize your ADU.
Here are some of the customizable features we offer:
Every detail on this list, plus many others, can be personalized for your new ADU.
A multitude of financing options are available for ADUs, and our dedicated in-house financing team is here to assist you in finding the most suitable loans based on your preferred terms and existing qualifications.
Currently, the most popular financing methods for ADUs include cash-out refinancing and Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC), but other alternatives like renovation loans and personal loans are also available.
Don’t hesitate to contact us today to explore more about financing options and to connect with our financing experts!
State regulations allow for the construction of an ADU on any property designated as single or multi-family, regardless of its location, homeowners’ association rules, or other local guidelines, provided there’s sufficient space available.
Typically, ADUs are positioned in the backyard, but they can also be placed in the side yard if there’s ample space, considering setback requirements, local codes, and any specific easements on your property.
We are proud to offer our home building services in the following counties in central and southern Florida:
Broward County
Hillsborough County
Lake County
Manatee County
Miami-Dade County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pinellas County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
At Goshen Tiny Homes, we specialize in a variety of Accessory Dwelling Unit designs tailored to meet the diverse needs of St. Augustine residents. Here’s a glimpse of our specialized services:
Types of ADUs We Specialize In
At Goshen Tiny Homes, we specialize in a variety of Accessory Dwelling Unit designs tailored to meet the diverse needs of St. Augustine residents. Here’s a glimpse of our specialized services:
For more detailed information, please visit our FAQs section to understand our process and discover how we can help you create the perfect ADU for your property in St. Augustine.
Helping property owners in Florida to increase their income, foster closer family bonds, and expand their living area with our premium yet economical tailor-made ADUs, leveraging a decade of expertise in the field.
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