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Century To Consider Accessory Dwellings, ‘Backyard Apartments’
May 7, 2026
The Town of Century will consider a new accessory apartment ordinance to expand housing options available to all property owners in the Town.
The town already allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which it calls accessory apartments. The town council will consider modifying the existing ordinance to allow more structures to qualify as accessory dwellings, with clear objective standards that town staff could administer. The current ordinance limits ADU size to 25% of the main structure size, subject to setback requirements (the minimum distance from property lines).
Accessory dwellings are commonly known as granny apartments, in-law suites, and backyard apartments.
According to Century Town Council President Dynette Lewis, current housing ordinances were written in the early 1990s and need to be updated, and council member Donnie Bass said he agrees.
It is estimated that the updates to the town’s housing ordinance will cost about $1,500 from the Emerald Coast Regional Council, which serves as the town’s planning organization. The final cost will be determined by the number of revisions and meetings needed for a final version. The town has applied for a grant to update all of its ordinances, but it’s not yet known if the grant will be awarded to the town.
“The Council should understand that expanding this provision would be a meaningful change to the character of Century. A larger accessory apartment allowance would affect every residential property in Town and could result in a significant number of new units over time. The Council should think carefully about what standards would apply including: lot size minimums, setback requirements, utility connections, maximum size, and whether the unit must be attached or could be detached,” planner Eric Christianson of ECRC wrote in a memo to the town.
It is estimated that the process could take three months or more.
The move to consider a new ADU ordinance came after applicants Dewane Thomas and Mary Jo Thomas Clark first requested to place a 14×54 mobile home next to an existing home at 354 Hilltop Road, a lot with a total size of 1.6 acres, and connect the mobile home with a breeze way to the existing 874 square foot primary home.
They told the council that they wanted to use the second structure for their elderly mother, who is suffering from serious medical issues. Their mother is currently living in Michigan, and they wanted to move her to Century during winter months to escape the “brutal” cold.
They requested a medical hardship exemption to allow the second structure, but no provision for a medical hardship exists in Century’s current ordinances. Christianson said adding a medical hardship process to the town’s ordinances would come at significant cost and time.
Pictured top: The Century Town Council considers options after receiving a request to permit an accessory dwelling unit. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “Century To Consider Accessory Dwellings, ‘Backyard Apartments’”
It’s trashy enough and this looks like another scam
What happens when incompetent people are in charge
Wouldn’t trust these people with an ant farm much less a town
I dont know how you can do this when you cant pull a permit to build a tiny home with out it being over 800 sq ft and you MUST pass code but I guess some county’s hold different standards and being in city limits hold different I dont knoe its weird you can do what you want on what you bought I understand cost of living is high gas mobile homes rent etc I can see why family wants to help but I also see the town needs a face lift to be considered in town limits focus on growth good growth like things that will make it look better be better help others grocery store food coffee etc
Well! the way I look at it is, why can’t you do what you want on your property? Because even though you pay taxes and every dang thing else; it’s never your property. You’re always told what you can and can’t do with what is supposed to be yours!
If freaking housing prices would come down and people with land that doesn’t live around here that is just letting it grow up in grass and weeds, would come off some of it and sell it, people might have a place to live. And I see nothing wrong with an extended housing to help your family!
I agree with IMHO That is going to make more problems than we already have. I also agree with SW let the county take over and get this mess straightened out.
This City has dragged on long enough. Years ago I had hope. Today I’ll have to admit SW is 100% correct.
We need another grocery store and growth up here maybe a little shopping center to host a few different options the town looks ran down it needs a makeover and stuff added to look more like a town
There goes your property values! More meth heads living in storage sheds next to Mamas house.
What needs to happen is the town should be disbanded, assets sold off, and have the county take over. The county provides fire and police protection, anyway. Does the town do anything other than sell water, gas, and sewage services? That should be a clue…it’s a taxpayer money pit.
What also needs to happen is for the AG and CFO to pay them a visit. The governor and Secretary of State should take a look, too.