Does St. Augustine allow ADUs?
In some districts. As of October 2026, the city's zoning code lists accessory apartments as a permitted use in the RG-1, RG-2 and RL-1 districts and in the HP-1 historic preservation district. In HP-1, the code allows rental dwellings rented for a monthly or longer period. Other districts follow different lists, so the parcel's zoning comes first.
What about the historic districts?
St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-founded city in the continental United States, and much of the core is in historic preservation districts. New buildings there go through architectural review, with standards for scale, materials and placement. For example, the code's rules for new non-Colonial construction in historic district 1 say secondary structures and garage apartments must sit in the rear 50% of the lot.
What else shapes an ADU here?
- Flooding. Low ground near the Matanzas River and the San Sebastian River floods in storms and high tides; elevation sets the design.
- Small, old lots. Narrow parcels and existing outbuildings can leave little new footprint.
- Archaeology. The city has archaeological review requirements for ground disturbance in parts of town, which we check before excavation.
- Guesthouses. The accessory-use rules list guesthouses among residential accessory structures and keep them out of required yards.
Is all of St. Augustine under city rules?
No. Many homes with a St. Augustine address are in unincorporated St. Johns County, which has its own code. We confirm the jurisdiction before anything else.
Can I rent a St. Augustine ADU to visitors?
It depends on the district. In HP-1, the code's rental language is for monthly or longer terms. Elsewhere, zoning and state vacation rental rules both apply. See short-term rental rules before you plan for guests.
Related
As of October 2026. Sources: City of St. Augustine code Sec. 28-163, 28-164, 28-166, 28-183, 28-188 and 28-348 (via Zoneomics). Confirm with the City of St. Augustine Planning and Building Department.