ADU Laws in Texas 2026: What Dallas Homeowners Need to Know

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a secondary living space on your property. In DFW, ADUs generate $900-$1,800/month in rental income and add $60,000-$150,000 to home value when permitted correctly.

In 2023, Texas passed HB 3699 prohibiting cities from banning ADUs in single-family zones. As of 2026, cities can regulate ADU size, parking, and setbacks, but cannot prohibit them outright. Homeowners in Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, and most DFW cities now have a legal right to build an ADU.

Dallas: Maximum 1,500 sq ft or 50% of primary home. One off-street parking space required. 5 ft setbacks from rear and side property lines. Fort Worth: Maximum 750 sq ft attached, 1,200 sq ft detached. Plano, Frisco, McKinney: Each has specific size limits. Brothers2Go navigates requirements on your behalf.

A 2-car garage (400-576 sq ft) converts to a studio or 1-bedroom ADU for $25,000-$55,000. The process includes: structural assessment, permitting, insulation, drywall, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, flooring, and finish work. Brothers2Go handles everything.

A well-finished 400-600 sq ft ADU rents for $900-$1,800/month. Irving, Garland, Mesquite: $900-$1,300/month. Plano, Frisco, Allen: $1,300-$1,800/month. At $1,200/month average, a $45,000 ADU investment pays back in under 4 years.

Dallas permit processing: 4-8 weeks. Fort Worth: 3-6 weeks. Plano and Frisco: 4-8 weeks. Brothers2Go submits permit applications and tracks progress. Total timeline: 3-5 months for a garage conversion, 6-10 months for a new detached structure.

Brothers2Go has coordinated garage conversions and ADU projects throughout DFW in Dallas, Irving, Fort Worth, Plano, and growing cities like Forney, Little Elm, and Prosper. We coordinate everything from permits through final inspection. Call (469) 346-8089 or visit brothers2go.com/garage-conversion.