Do I need a permit for accessory dwelling unit (adu) in Highland Park?
Highland Park does not issue residential building permits. The Village of Highland Park does not run its own building department. The village states that it must first review and approve any building permit (using its Permit Authorization Form, handled by the City Manager at citymanager@highlandpark-fl.org) before the application is submitted to Polk County, and the Polk County Building Division (330 W. Church St., Bartow, 863-534-6080) then issues the permit through the Polk County Access Portal. The village also contracts with Polk County for code enforcement. The phone and address listed are the village office.
The requirements below come from Florida rules and describe the standard the work must still meet. They are not a statement that Highland Park will issue you a permit.
Yes. In Florida, accessory dwelling unit (adu) generally requires a permit, and Highland Park is no exception.
An accessory dwelling unit is new residential construction and needs a building permit in Florida. Whether an ADU is allowed at your address is a local zoning question, because Florida Statutes 163.31771 lets each city or county decide whether to allow them in single-family zones. That statute also calls for an affordable-rent affidavit with the permit application, so ask your department how it applies.
Get your exact answer
Answer a few questions to see the specific permits, documents, and next steps for your accessory dwelling unit (adu) in Highland Park.
Check my projectLocal and county notes for Highland Park
Florida does not require local governments to allow ADUs. Florida Statutes 163.31771 says a county or city may adopt an ordinance allowing them in single-family zones, so whether an ADU is allowed at your address is a local zoning question. A 2026 bill that would have required every local government to allow ADUs by right, SB 48, died in the House and did not become law. Section 163.31771(4) says a building permit application for an ADU must include an affidavit that the unit will be rented at an affordable rate. Ask your department how it applies this to your project. A new building with a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage needs a carbon monoxide alarm within 10 feet of each sleeping room, under Florida Statutes 553.885.
Documents you may need
- Building permit application with separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permitsRequired
- Site plan or survey showing the unit, setbacks and utility connectionsLikely required
- Construction plans, with structural and wind-load detailsLikely required
- Florida Energy Code compliance formsLikely required
- Affordable rental affidavit under Florida Statutes 163.31771(4)Sometimes required
Possible inspections
- Foundation inspection
- Framing inspection with rough electrical, plumbing and mechanical
- Insulation inspection
- Final inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for accessory dwelling unit (adu) in Highland Park?
- Yes. In Florida, accessory dwelling unit (adu) generally requires a permit, and Highland Park is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Highland Park?
- The local building department for Highland Park handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.