ADU Builder in Lake Mary, FL
Brightview Homes builds Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and detached garages on Lake Mary, FL properties. Four pre-priced plans from $48,000. The biggest variable in Lake Mary is your HOA — we check that before any design work begins. We handle permitting with the City of Lake Mary. Florida licensed builder — CRC1334100.
Lake Mary's biggest ADU variable is your HOA
City of Lake Mary code is reasonable on ADUs. The bigger constraint is almost always your HOA declaration of restrictions. Many Lake Mary subdivisions — particularly the master-planned communities built in the '90s and 2000s — have covenants that restrict accessory structures, detached buildings, or second dwellings outright. Some allow garages but prohibit ADUs with kitchens. A few allow ADUs but cap their height or size below city limits.
The first thing we do for any Lake Mary inquiry is pull your HOA's recorded covenants and confirm what's permitted. We've seen homeowners spend tens of thousands on design before discovering their HOA bans accessory dwellings entirely. We won't let that happen on our watch.
What's different about building an ADU in Lake Mary
- City of Lake Mary has its own ADU code — applies to properties inside city limits. Permit applications go to the City of Lake Mary Building Department.
- HOAs are nearly universal — Heathrow, Greenwood Lakes, Cardinal Pointe, Crystal Cove, Timacuan, and most other Lake Mary subdivisions are HOA-governed. Architectural review boards usually have to approve any new construction before the city will accept your permit application.
- Unincorporated Seminole County (Lake Mary mailing) — Some Lake Mary-addressed parcels sit in unincorporated Seminole County. Those use the county's administrative approval process — faster than city, but HOA rules still apply if you're in a community with covenants.
- Permit cycle 6–10 weeks at City of Lake Mary — generally efficient. Add 2–4 weeks if HOA architectural review is required first.
- Ready Set Orange does not apply — That's an Orange County program. Lake Mary is in Seminole County.
The four Brightview ADUs we build in Lake Mary
Same pre-priced plans as every Brightview ADU project — adapted to your HOA's accessory-structure rules (height, materials, roof pitch, setback).
The Garage
21' × 23' detached 2-car garage. Often the easiest plan to get past an HOA — it's a garage, not a dwelling.
The Studio ADU
~350 sq ft, studio + 1 bath. Smaller massing — often easier to get HOA approval where ADUs are allowed.
The 1-Bedroom ADU
498 sq ft, 21' × 23'. Most popular Lake Mary plan when the HOA permits dwelling units.
The Carriage ADU
2-story: garage below, 517 sq ft 1BR apartment above. Many Lake Mary HOAs cap height at 1 story for accessory structures — we check first.
Where Brightview builds in Lake Mary
- Heathrow — Master-planned, very active HOA. ADU rules vary by sub-community; we pull covenants per address.
- Greenwood Lakes — Established, mid-sized lots, HOA review required for accessory structures.
- Cardinal Pointe, Crystal Cove, Timacuan — Newer master-planned subdivisions with restrictive accessory-structure rules. We confirm before design.
- Older Lake Mary (closer to downtown) — Some non-HOA parcels exist; rules are simpler.
- Unincorporated Seminole (Lake Mary mailing) — Administrative approval available, but HOA rules still apply where present.
If your Lake Mary address isn't listed above, send us your address and we'll check HOA + jurisdiction in 48 hours.
How a Lake Mary ADU build works with Brightview
- 1. Send us your Lake Mary address. We pull both your jurisdiction (City of Lake Mary or unincorporated Seminole County) AND your HOA covenants before anything else.
- 2. Free buildability review (48 hours). HOA-permitted, city-permitted, both, or neither — written go/no-go and a budget range.
- 3. Pick your plan. Four pre-priced plans or a custom design that fits HOA constraints.
- 4. Fixed-cost contract. Final price locked before HOA + city submission.
- 5. HOA architectural review → permit + build. We submit to your HOA's architectural review board, then to the City of Lake Mary. 45–60 day build once permitted.
- 6. CO and move in / rent out. Certificate of occupancy, final walkthrough.
Common questions from Lake Mary homeowners
Do most Lake Mary HOAs allow ADUs?+
It varies significantly. Many Lake Mary communities — Heathrow, Greenwood Lakes, Cardinal Pointe, and others — have HOA covenants that restrict accessory structures, detached buildings, or second dwellings. Some allow garages but prohibit ADUs with kitchens. We pull your HOA's recorded declaration of restrictions and confirm what's allowed before you commit to design fees.
How long does an ADU permit take in Lake Mary?+
City of Lake Mary permitting typically runs 6–10 weeks. HOA architectural review (where required) adds 2–4 weeks. Construction is 45–60 days once permitted. Total time from contract to move-in is usually 3–5 months.
What does an ADU cost to build in Lake Mary?+
Brightview ADU builds start at $48,000 for The Garage, $60,000 for the Studio ADU, $75,000 for the 1-Bedroom ADU, and $98,000 for the Carriage ADU. Starting prices include construction, permitting coordination, engineering, grading, and site cleanup for a standard lot. Lake Mary impact fees and site-specific conditions are quoted separately.
Are ADUs allowed in unincorporated Seminole County around Lake Mary?+
Yes. Unincorporated Seminole County allows ADUs in single-family residential zoning districts and approves them administratively. If your Lake Mary mailing address is outside City of Lake Mary limits, the county process applies — though HOA rules still apply if you're in a community with covenants.
Can I rent my Lake Mary ADU?+
Long-term rental of permitted ADUs is generally allowed under City of Lake Mary code, but many HOAs restrict rentals separately. Short-term and transient rental is more tightly regulated. We flag both city and HOA rental rules during the buildability review.
Send us your Lake Mary address
We check your HOA AND your city rules before recommending anything. Free buildability review in 48 hours.