Fort Worth permits accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in most residential zoning districts under the Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance Section 5.300. Permits are reviewed by the Development Services Department through the Accela permit portal. Most ADUs require a building permit; new detached ADUs may also require zoning verification or a Special Exception in some districts.
The Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance Section 5.300 (Accessory Uses and Structures) permits ADUs (called 'accessory dwellings' or 'garage apartments') in the A-5, A-7.5, A-10, A-21, AR, B, C, D, ER, and CR residential districts, subject to specific standards. The ADU must be on a lot of at least 5,000 sq ft (varies by district), the lot must contain a primary dwelling, and the ADU cannot exceed 25% of the primary dwelling's floor area or 800 sq ft, whichever is less. Maximum height is 1.5 stories or the underlying district's height limit, whichever is lower. The ADU permit application goes through the Accela Citizen Access portal (apps.fortworthtexas.gov/Accela). A building permit is always required; some districts (notably A-10 and A-21) treat ADUs as 'permitted by right' while others require a Special Exception from the Board of Adjustment under Zoning Ord. Section 3.804. Texas does not have a state ADU-streamlining law equivalent to California's Gov. Code 65852.2, so Fort Worth retains broad discretion. Typical permit timeline is 4-8 weeks for a clear application; plan review fees run roughly $500-$1,500 plus impact fees. The ADU shares the primary water/sewer connection unless a separate meter is installed.
Building or occupying an ADU without a permit is a violation of the Fort Worth Building Code (City Code Ch. 7) and Zoning Ordinance. Penalties include stop-work orders, code-compliance citations up to $2,000 per day per violation under Texas Local Government Code Sec. 54.001 (Class C misdemeanor in municipal court), and possible removal orders. Unpermitted ADUs can also block sale or refinancing.
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