Kathryn Starkey has pushed for ADUs as an answer to the affordable housing crisis, but she says the county’s ordinance strays too far from its intent.
WESLEY CHAPEL — Pasco County adopted an ordinance allowing accessory dwelling units, but the decision didn’t come without some serious debate, especially from one of the idea’s earliest supporters.
District 3 Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, a longtime advocate of ADUs as a tool to increase affordable housing, cast the lone “no” vote in a 5-1 decision.
Pasco County has officially approved an ordinance allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) — a move aimed at addressing the county’s affordable housing shortage. However, the decision wasn’t unanimous. The measure passed 5–1, with District 3 Commissioner Kathryn Starkey casting the lone opposing vote.
Starkey has long been a strong advocate for ADUs as a solution to Florida’s housing affordability crisis. Her objection wasn’t about allowing ADUs — it was about their size. The new ordinance allows ADUs up to 1,200 square feet, and even larger with special exceptions. Starkey argued this defeats the purpose of an “accessory” unit and believes the proper limit should be between 800 and 900 square feet.
“I think 1,200 square feet is a house, not an ADU,” Starkey said. “That’s not an accessory.”
Across Florida, ADUs — also called garage apartments, in-law suites, or tiny homes — are being championed as an innovative approach to expanding affordable housing. But Starkey contends that Pasco’s 1,200-square-foot allowance is excessive. “I just think we’re opening up a can of worms,” she said, expressing concern about the rise of multi-home family compounds.
District 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano supported the larger size, referencing Hernando County’s 2012 ordinance, which permits ADUs up to 50% of the main home’s size. “It’s been tried and tested for 13 years out there and has worked pretty well,” Mariano said.
In contrast, Starkey read a message from an expert suggesting a maximum of 800 square feet instead. District 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman backed Mariano, arguing that larger ADUs simplify the process and give homeowners more flexibility.
Starkey also raised concerns about parking congestion caused by ADUs. She proposed requiring additional driveways to prevent front yards from turning into parking lots. “We’re supposed to be premier,” she said. “I can show you house after house in my district where there’s no yard because it’s all cars parking in the front.”
Weightman countered that extra parking requirements wouldn’t solve the issue, since extended families are already living together due to housing costs. He said ADUs simply make that reality more comfortable and less crowded. County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder noted that pending state legislation would prohibit local governments from increasing parking requirements for ADUs.
The new ordinance includes several boundaries. ADUs cannot be used as short-term rentals such as Airbnbs; they must follow county rental regulations for long-term use. Units under 500 square feet are exempt from impact fees, those between 500 and 900 square feet get a discount, and anything above 900 square feet pays full fees. ADUs must be built on permanent, fixed foundations in compliance with the Florida Building Code, preventing mobile homes or trailers from being used as ADUs. All ADUs must comply with existing zoning and setback standards and must be smaller than the main residence.
An original restriction against building ADUs in FEMA flood zones was removed at Commissioner Mariano’s request, since much of West Pasco County falls within these zones.
The commissioners’ decision might soon be affected by Florida House Bill 247 and Senate Bill 184, both of which would require all counties to permit ADUs as part of their affordable housing strategies. If passed, the bills could override or modify Pasco’s ordinance.
Commissioner Lisa Yeager said she’s designing an ADU for her mother and found 900 square feet too small for comfortable living. Mariano noted his parents live in a 1,200-square-foot condo and find it to be the perfect size. Starkey pointed to her daughter’s 700-square-foot home as proof that smaller spaces are sufficient.
“I’m the one who pushed for ADUs, and this has just been stolen into ‘let’s just wreck the county,’” Starkey said. “I will not vote for 1,200 feet. I’m just embarrassed.”
The ADU ordinance marks a major step for Pasco County’s affordable housing efforts but also exposes a sharp divide among commissioners over how far local governments should go in expanding housing options. Whether the state legislation will uphold or alter Pasco’s new rules remains to be seen, but for now, residents can begin adding ADUs to their properties — up to 1,200 square feet in size.
