TAMPA, Fla. — Senate Bill 48 is a proposal that would require all Florida local governments to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family neighborhoods, advanced after winning unanimous approval in the Senate Community Affairs Committee.

If passed, the bill would mandate that cities and counties permit ADUs — including garage apartments, backyard cottages, and in-law suites — in areas traditionally restricted to single-family homes.

What You Need To Know

Senate Bill 48 is a proposal that would require all Florida local governments to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family neighborhoods, advanced after winning unanimous approval in the Senate Community Affairs Committee

If passed, the bill would mandate that cities and counties permit ADUs — including garage apartments, backyard cottages, and in-law suites — in areas traditionally restricted to single-family homes

In Tampa Heights — Tampa’s first suburb, founded in the 1880s — residents say ADUs have helped the area evolve while preserving its character

The bill still needs approval from two additional Senate committees

Historic Neighborhoods Already Seeing Growth

In Tampa Heights — Tampa’s first suburb, founded in the 1880s — residents say ADUs have helped the area evolve while preserving its character.

“We have a pretty full historic district with lots of beautiful historic houses,” said Taryn Sabia, a University of South Florida assistant dean and Tampa Heights Civic Association board member.

Sabia lives in a home built in the early 1800s by Spanish immigrant Joseph Robles, a key figure in Tampa’s early development. She says ADUs have become a thoughtful tool for adding density and affordability as nearby commercial corridors grow.

“As our commercial corridors have been expanding, we’ve really wanted to see more people in the neighborhood,” Sabia said. “We also wanted to have a range of affordability.”

Supporters Say ADUs Support Families

In Seminole Heights, homeowner Beth Alden said her family’s ADU has been indispensable.

Her parents moved into her home, while she now lives in the small unit behind it.

“They have their own independence,” Alden said, “but we’re also right next to each other and I can be there at the drop of a hat.”

Concerns Over Short-Term Rentals

While supporters see ADUs as a way to expand housing options, others worry the bill could unintentionally fuel more short-term rentals in quiet neighborhoods.

Some community groups fear property owners might choose to list ADUs for vacation rentals instead of long-term housing — raising questions about parking, traffic, and enforcement.

Sabia agrees that affordability gains depend on how the policy is implemented.

“When we hear the term ‘missing middle,’ those are a lot of what we’re missing,” she said. “Adding an ADU to a single-family property helps us get closer to that two-family model and makes things more affordable.”

Sabia says statewide housing solutions must account for local conditions — including flooding risks and infrastructure limits.

“I think it’s not an either or, but a both and situation,” she said. “Having implementation programs that go along with the policy is really important. Making sure that ADUs are in the right neighborhoods, making sure that we don’t put any use in areas that are maybe more vulnerable to flooding.”

Tampa expanded its own ADU regulations. If Senate Bill 48 becomes law, it would reshape how ADUs are permitted in both Tampa and Hillsborough County.

The bill still needs approval from two additional Senate committees.