ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Permit in Austin (2026)
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit requirements, fees, and process for Austin, TX. Find out if you need a permit and how to apply.
Yes, a ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit is required in Austin, TX.
A ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit is required in Austin, TX. The Austin Development Services Department (DSD) handles permit applications for Austin. Below you will find the current thresholds, fees, and process for obtaining a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit in Austin.
When Is a Permit Required?
When a ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Permit Is Required in Austin: All ADU/secondary apartment construction
Permit Fees
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Permit Fees in Austin: $3,000–$15,000 including impact fees. Estimated timeline: 2-4 months.
Estimated timeline: 2-4 months
How to Get a ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Permit in Austin
Verify whether your project meets the permit threshold in Austin: All ADU/secondary apartment construction.
Prepare your permit application and plans. Contact the Austin Development Services Department (DSD) at https://www.austintexas.gov/development-services for required documentation.
Submit your application online at https://abc.austintexas.gov/ or in person at the Austin Development Services Department (DSD).
Pay the permit fee: $3,000–$15,000 including impact fees.
Wait for plan check approval. Estimated timeline: 2-4 months.
Schedule required inspections through https://abc.austintexas.gov/. All inspections must pass before project is finalized.
Important: Austin DSD permit required. Impact fees significant. Drainage/utility review required.
Austin Development Services Department (DSD)
Phone: (512) 978-4000
Website: https://www.austintexas.gov/development-services
Online Permits: https://abc.austintexas.gov/
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU on my Austin property?
Yes. Austin allows secondary apartments (ADUs) on most residential lots. The unit can be up to 1,100 sqft or 0.15 FAR of lot area. No owner-occupancy requirement. With Austin's HOME Ordinance (2023), you can have up to 3 total units on most SF-zoned lots. Impervious cover limits and tree protection requirements may constrain placement.
What is the HOME Ordinance and how does it affect my property?
Austin's HOME (Home Options for Middle-Income Empowerment) Ordinance, passed in 2023 (Phase 1) and expanded in 2024 (Phase 2), allows up to 3 residential units on any single-family zoned lot in Austin. This means you can have a main house, an ADU, and a third unit — or a duplex plus a secondary apartment. Minimum lot size requirements were reduced and in some cases eliminated. This is one of the most significant zoning reforms in Austin's history.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Austin?
It depends on size. Trees with trunk diameters of 8 inches or more at 4.5 feet height (DBH) are 'Protected Trees' requiring an Austin permit to remove. Trees 19 inches or larger are 'Heritage Trees' — these cannot be removed except in cases of imminent public hazard (with variance approval). Austin's tree ordinance is one of the strictest in Texas and violations can result in significant fines.
Are short-term rentals (Airbnb) allowed in Austin?
Yes, with a license ($613/year). Austin has two STR types: Type 1 (owner-occupied) allows whole-unit rental without the owner present; Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) is limited to 3% of residential units per City Council district and banned in some areas. Austin collects a 9% Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) on STR rentals. Noise ordinance and maximum occupancy rules apply.
What are the impervious cover limits in Austin?
Impervious cover limits in Austin depend on your watershed zone and zoning district. Most SF zones allow 45% impervious cover on lots not in critical watershed areas. However, if your property is in the Barton Springs zone or other sensitive watersheds, limits drop to 25-40%. Impervious cover includes your house, garage, driveway, patio, pool, and any other hard surface. Austin Watershed Protection calculates this for each permit application.
Source: Austin Building Code — ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Requirements. Last verified April 3, 2026. View source