Garland, TX Accessory Structures: ADU Permits (2026)

Garland regulates accessory dwelling units through the Comprehensive Zoning provisions of the Garland Development Code, administered by the Planning Department and enforced by Building Inspection. Garland's single-family residential districts traditionally permit one dwelling unit per lot. A 'servant's quarters,' 'guest house,' or accessory living quarters may be permitted as a use incidental to the principal single-family dwelling - typically without a kitchen, or limited to family members and household staff, not rented as a separate unit. Establishing a true ADU as a separate rental household generally requires a Specific Use Permit (SUP) - a discretionary land-use approval with Plan Commission recommendation and City Council approval, requiring public hearings and 200-foot neighborhood notification under Texas Local Government Code Sec. 211.007. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 211 grants Garland (a home-rule city) zoning authority and Texas has not preempted local ADU rules in the way that Arizona HB 2720 or California Gov. Code Sec. 65852.2 have done. Garland enforces the 2021 International Residential Code with Texas amendments through Building Inspection. North Texas wind-loading (ASCE 7 Risk Category II) and tornado considerations apply to detached structures over standard size thresholds.