Affordable housing concerns are rising throughout the United States, and many alternatives have emerged as solutions to this problem. Tiny homes, accessory dwelling units, garage conversions, and even shed homes are just some affordable housing alternatives being considered. 

While a shed home may sound appealing, especially considering the smaller footprint, and potential cost savings, it’s actually immensely difficult to live in a shed in Florida. To be considered a livable dwelling, they must meet strict standards as outlined in the Florida Residential Building Code.

While that may sound like a plausible task, sheds and cabin sheds, even if they look like a home, are rarely considered legal residences and cannot be easily reengineered to become one. 

We’ll explore some of the obstacles you may face below.

Is It Legal to Live in a Shed in Florida?

No, not without completely redesigning them and getting express approval from your building or planning officials.

A shed must meet Florida Residential Building Code (FRBC) requirements for a dwelling unit, including:

• Passing structural inspections for the foundation, hurricane tie-downs, and wind load ratings
• Having the proper square footage, ceiling heights, and room layouts
• Insulated walls, plumbing, HVAC, and emergency exists as outlined in the FRBC
• Meeting the fire safety, energy, and sanitation codes for a residential dwelling

Most sheds and cabins are not built to these standards, and bringing them up to code could cost more than purchasing a tiny home or ADU that’s built to code.

Can You Live in A Cabin in Florida? 

Some shed companies offer cabin-style sheds, which may seem like they are built more in accordance with Florida dwelling unit standards. However, while they look like small homes, they are still legally considered storage structures. Similarly to sheds, they would have to undergo extensive renovations and permitting processes to be considered a legal dwelling unit under state standards.

Why Sheds Don’t Qualify Under Florida’s Dwelling Unit Requirements

Below are the minimum requirements for a dwelling unit in Florida. These requirements are extensive, and because sheds aren’t designed to meet them, modifying one to comply will usually cost more than buying a properly built tiny home or ADU.

Building Codes

A home must meet the Florida Residential Building Code standards for a permanent dwelling unit. To qualify as one, it must meet the following requirements:

Structural Requirements

• Must have a completed load path that transfers all load weight safely to the foundation
• Structural integrity must be consistent with Chapter 3 of the Florida Residential Building Code
• Must be designed from the foundation up with hurricane-rated load paths

Why Sheds Don’t Qualify: Most sheds don’t have engineered foundations or anchoring for permanent residency

Square Footage, Height, and Room Requirements

• Must have at least one habitable room with at least 120 square feet of gross floor area
• Other habitable rooms must have at least 70 square feet of floor area and no wall less than 7 feet tall
• Must have a kitchen with at least 50 square feet of floor area
• Ceiling height must be at least 7 feet 
• A habitable dwelling unit typically must have space for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation that comply with the above sizing requirements. This would include a:
  • Living room
  • Bedroom
  • Kitchen
  • Dining Area
  • Bathroom

Why Sheds Don’t Qualify: Most are too small or lack the required room layouts

Plumbing & Sanitation

A full-time residence must include the following:

• Kitchen sink, toilet, lavatory, bathtub, or shower
• All fixtures must be connected to approved water or sewage systems
• Must consist of a hot and cold water supply and an automatic water heater

Why Sheds Don’t Qualify: They are not designed for these systems

HVAC Requirements

• A permanent heat source is required in each habitable room
• Mechanical ventilation for areas that lack natural ventilation from windows
• Bathroom exhaust fans must exhaust to the outdoors, not to attics or crawl spaces
• Exhaust hoods are not required for kitchen stoves unless you’re using an open-top broiler
• Must meet strict insulation and energy codes as well

Why Sheds Don’t Qualify: Walls, roofs, insulation, and other features cannot easily be upgraded or included without rebuilding

Fire Safety & Emergency Escape

• Every home must have at least one egress door, side-hinged, that’s a minimum of 32” wide and 6’8” tall
• All sleeping rooms must have one emergency exit or opening that’s a minimum of 5.7 sq. ft. with a sill height less than or equal to 44” from the floor
• Smoke alarms must be hardwired and interconnected with battery backup and are required in all of the following spaces:
  • Each bedroom
  • Outside each sleeping area
  • On every level

Why Sheds Don’t Qualify: Standard shed windows and doors don’t typically meet these dimensions, and smoke alarms generally are not installed.

Zoning Regulations

Even if your shed can be rebuilt to meet the FRBC, zoning regulations often prohibit sheds from being used as homes. Urban and suburban counties can be especially strict. Typically, only properly permitted tiny homes and ADUs are approved.

Below you’ll find officials to consult with to determine if shed homes are permitted in your area. 

Consult with Officials

Here is a list of county officials to contact with questions regarding shed homes. They’ll be able to provide you with the required building code and zoning information to determine if you can convert a shed into a livable home.

Are Shed Homes a Practical Affordable Housing Option?

Keeping everything outlined above in mind may raise questions about whether or not living in a shed is actually worthwhile. Considering the significant renovations it would take to make it livable or the potential roadblocks to finding a shed that meets the sizing requirements to be permitted as a permanent residence, a shed is not the best affordable housing alternative.

Here are just some of the reasons why sheds can’t be easily converted and utilized as a home:

• The base shed structure does not meet code
• Upgrades would require tearing down and rebuilding residential structures
• The cost is usually equal to or greater than that of starting with a home designed for habitation

Sheds and cabin sheds are not typically the most affordable housing option in Florida. Properly designed and permitted tiny homes and ADUs may be a better alternative.

What South Country Sheds Has to Offer

At South Country Sheds, we like to keep it upfront with you:

• Our sheds and cabin sheds are sold as storage structures only.
• They are engineered to withstand Florida’s hurricane conditions, but are still not considered legal dwellings.
• If you want a legal small home, you will need a structure specifically designed, permitted, and approved as a residence under Florida law.

For customers seeking affordable housing that complies with regulations, we recommend exploring tiny homes or ADUs built to residential code, rather than trying to convert a shed. However, if you’re looking for an affordable home office, workout room, art studio, or storage space, we’ve got what you need.