Austin, TX Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

The "Home Options for Mobility and Equity" (HOME) code amendments are among a series of updates to the City's Land Development Code (LDC). The goal of these changes is to provide more housing types and increase housing supply within single-family zoned areas of Austin. [...] Phase 1 (Multiple Dwelling Units) - The approved code changes: Allow up to three housing units, including tiny homes, on a Single-Family (SF) zoned property (SF-1, SF-2, SF-3); Revise regulations that apply to a property with two housing units; and Remove restrictions on the number of unrelated adults living in a housing unit. [...] HOME Phase 1 eliminates the "primary" vs. "secondary" (also referred to as "accessory") use distinction. The HOME Phase 1 ordinance also amended Chapter 25-2, Article 5 (Accessory Uses) to eliminate guest houses, on-site employee housing, and accessory apartments as categories of accessory uses. [...] Impervious Cover and Building Coverage Limits - For duplex, two-unit residential, and three-unit residential uses in all zoning districts: Maximum building coverage is 40%. Maximum Impervious Cover is 45%, which differs from pre-HOME regulations by increasing impervious cover for these uses in the SF-1 zoning district.