Is off-street parking required for an ADU in Austin?

No. On November 2, 2023, Austin eliminated most minimum off-street parking requirements citywide (accessible spaces still apply). Verify site-specific overlays before design.

Do I need to live on-site (owner-occupancy)?

No. Austin’s ADU rules do not require owner-occupancy. Check any HOA rules and financing covenants for separate requirements.

Can an ADU be a short-term rental?

If built after October 1, 2015, ADUs are generally limited to 30 STR nights per year (license required). Long-term rental remains allowed per code.

Use Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) and the Residential Plan Review application; plans are routed through ProjectDox for ePlan review.

Austin ADU Rules & Permit Guide

Name: Austin ADU permit steps — short walkthrough
Uploaded: 2025-09-11
Duration: 2 min 30 s
Description: A quick video walkthrough of the five steps to permit an ADU in Austin.

Here’s how Austin handles ADUs—and how the HOME amendments interact with classic ADUs. We cover eligibility, parking (none citywide), STR limits, and the permit steps with official links.

Find ADU builders Get a cost estimate See permit steps

TL;DR: Austin removed minimum off-street parking citywide in 2023. Classic ADUs typically require SF-1/2/3 zoning and a ≥5,750 sf lot; smaller lots may add units via HOME’s small-lot single-family (not an ADU). No owner-occ rule; STR nights limited for post-2015 ADUs. Use AB+C + ProjectDox to apply. {{verify locally}}

No parking minimums* No owner-occ rule STR ≤ 30 nights (post-2015) HOME small-lot path

*Per Ordinance 20231102-028; see City Council records and staff memos. {{verify locally}}

Contemporary detached ADU behind a primary house in Austin

On this page

Austin ADU — at-a-glance

Zoning

Classic ADUs allowed in SF-1, SF-2, SF-3 contexts; check base district + overlays. {{verify locally}}

Minimum lot area

≥ 5,750 sq ft for the ADU (Two-Family Residential) path. Smaller lots may add a primary unit via HOME small-lot rules (not an ADU). {{verify locally}}

Parking

Citywide minimum off-street parking eliminated (Nov 2, 2023). Site constraints/accessible spaces still apply.

Owner-occupancy

Not required by city ADU regulations (historic no owner-occ). Confirm HOA/loan rules. {{verify locally}}

STR use

ADUs built after Oct 1, 2015 generally capped at 30 STR nights/year with license. {{verify locally}}

Height/size

Follows base zone + objective standards; confirm current code for height, FAR, separation, and compatibility. {{verify locally}}

The HOME Amendments create additional ways to add units (e.g., small-lot single-family); those are distinct from the “ADU” (Two-Family Residential) path summarized here.

How to permit an ADU in Austin (5 steps)

Verify eligibility: Use the Property Profile to confirm zoning, overlays, and lot area; review the City’s ADU page and HOME Amendments. {{verify locally}}
Get an address: Request a new ADU address/building number via Address Management (required before applying).
Set up AB+C: Create/confirm your Austin Build + Connect account (applicant email must match permit record).
Apply online: Start the Residential Plan Review application from the City’s ADU page; upload plans through ProjectDox.
Reviews, permits, inspections: Respond to comments, pay fees, pull permits, schedule inspections, and obtain the Certificate of Occupancy.

Match with a builder Explore financing Estimate costs

Submittal checklist (quick scan)

Site plan (setbacks, access, utilities) + Property Profile PDF
Floor plans & elevations (scale/dims) + code summaries
Structural notes/calcs; energy compliance
Address assignment confirmation
Austin Energy ESPA (as required for service upgrades)

Tip: Combine drawings into a single, text-searchable PDF. Name files like ADU_Austin_Plans_2025-09-11.pdf.

Size & parking overview (illustrative)

Eligibility snapshot

Illustrative only. Confirm your lot, base zone, and overlays in the Property Profile + code. {{verify locally}}

Parking baseline (citywide)

City eliminated most minimum off-street parking requirements on Nov 2, 2023. {{verify locally}}

2-minute ADU permit walkthrough (Austin)

Transcript (abridged): Step 1 — Verify eligibility in Property Profile; Step 2 — Request ADU address; Step 3 — Set up AB+C; Step 4 — Apply + upload in ProjectDox; Step 5 — Corrections, permits, inspections. {{verify locally}}

Local voice prompt

Try speaking to your assistant:

“Hey Siri, ask ADUPlanet — can I build an ADU at my address in Austin?”

Follow-ups: “What’s the minimum lot size?” “Do I need parking?” “How do I apply?”

Community rating (pilot)

Be the first to rate this guide

We’ll publish aggregated ratings once we have enough responses.

Official links (verify here first)

FAQ — Austin ADUs

Does my lot qualify if it’s under 5,750 sq ft?

Not for the classic ADU path. However, the HOME Amendments created a small-lot single-family path for one primary unit on lots as small as ~1,800 sq ft in certain zones. That path is not an ADU. {{verify locally}}

How many units can I have total?

Unit counts depend on base zoning and HOME allowances (e.g., duplex/three-unit allowances in certain contexts). Check the HOME page and your parcel’s zoning report. {{verify locally}}

Do I need extra parking for the ADU?

No citywide minimum off-street parking since Nov 2023, unless an overlay or specific requirement applies. Accessible spaces still apply. {{verify locally}}

Can I short-term rent the ADU?

ADUs constructed after Oct 1, 2015 are typically limited to 30 STR nights/year and require STR licensing. Review the City’s STR program for details. {{verify locally}}

Where should I start?

Run your parcel in Property Profile, scan the City ADU page, then line up Costs, Builders, and Financing. Apply via AB+C and upload through ProjectDox.