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Midland, TX Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

ADU rules in Midland, TX, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.

Key Facts

Max size: 1,000 sf or 30% of main home, whichever is less
Number allowed: One ADU per tract of land
Rental status: Cannot be leased or rented, ever
Prohibited types: Mobile home, travel trailer, RV barred
Occupancy cap: Combined household limited to one "Family"
Max penalty: $2,000 per violation, per day
Citation: Midland Code § 11-1-4.09(C)

ADU Eligibility Quick-Check

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent living unit on the same lot as a single-family home: converted garages, detached cottages, basement or attic conversions, and attached additions all qualify. Most states have streamlined ADU permitting since 2020, but local rules still control size, height, and setback.

Is your lot zoned single-family or multi-family residential?
Does your lot have at least 1,200 sq ft of buildable space?
Is your existing home owner-occupied (in most states this is not required, but some require it for ADU permits)?
Will the ADU stay under your state's size cap (commonly 850-1,200 sq ft for detached)?
Can you provide one off-street parking space (waived in many states within 0.5 mi of transit)?

If you answered 'yes' to most of these, you likely qualify in Texas under recent ADU streamlining laws. The Midland, TX rules below cover local size, height, and setback requirements.

Summary

Midland caps an accessory dwelling unit, garage apartment or casita built alongside a house, at 1,000 square feet or 30 percent of the main home's floor area, whichever is smaller, under City Code § 11-1-4.09(C). Only one ADU is allowed per tract, it can never be rented separately from the house, and a mobile home, travel trailer or RV cannot serve as one.

Accessory Dwelling Unit: Living quarters either attached or detached from the principal residence and used as an accessory use without renting or leasing as a residence by either guests or persons employed to provide domestic services to the occupants of the principal residence. ... (C)Accessory Dwelling Units and Use Limitations.1.The following regulations apply to Accessory Dwelling Units or as a use attached to the principal residence.(a)Accessory Dwelling Units shall not be leased or rented.(b)The living area of an Accessory Dwelling Unit shall not exceed 1,000 square feet or 30 percent of the area of the principal residence, whichever is less.(c)Only one Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be allowed on any individual tract of land.(d)A mobile home, travel trailer, or recreational vehicle shall not be used as a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

01 as living quarters attached or detached from the principal residence, used as an accessory use, that cannot be rented or leased as a residence to guests or to persons employed to provide domestic service. 09(C) sets five core limits: an ADU shall not be leased or rented; its living area cannot exceed 1,000 square feet or 30 percent of the principal residence's floor area, whichever is less; only one ADU is allowed on any individual tract of land; a mobile home, travel trailer, or recreational vehicle cannot be used as a detached ADU; and the total number of people living on the property, principal residence plus ADU combined, cannot exceed that of a single "Family" as the Zoning Ordinance defines the term.

09(D) layers on design and process requirements: an ADU must meet all development, zoning, and building requirements, including building, electrical, fire, mechanical, and plumbing codes, and the combined principal residence and ADU cannot exceed the lot's maximum coverage or encroach into the required setbacks for the applicable zoning district. The ADU's design must be consistent with the zoning district and the Comprehensive Plan, and must preserve or complement the architectural style of the principal residence, with its own setbacks matching the underlying district's requirements. An ADU can never be sold or leased apart from the principal residence.

Before construction, an applicant must submit a scaled site plan showing the principal dwelling, existing accessory structures, and the proposed ADU; a scaled floor plan of both structures; and elevations documenting the existing and proposed architectural design, exterior color, material, and finish.

Violations & Fines

An ADU that violates § 11-1-4.09, oversized, rented out, built from a trailer or RV, or sold apart from the main house, is a Zoning Ordinance violation under § 11-1-1.06, punishable by a fine of up to $2,000.00, with each day the violation continues counting as a separate offense. The Building Official reviews required ADU site plans, floor plans, and elevations before issuing a building permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big can an accessory dwelling unit be in Midland, TX?

Under City Code § 11-1-4.09(C), an ADU's living area cannot exceed 1,000 square feet or 30 percent of the principal residence's floor area, whichever is less. Only one ADU is allowed per tract of land, whether it is attached to the main house or built as a detached garage apartment.

Can I rent out my garage apartment in Midland?

No. Section 11-1-4.09(C) states an Accessory Dwelling Unit shall not be leased or rented, and subsection (D) adds that an ADU can never be sold or leased separately from the principal residence, so it can only house family, guests, or unpaid domestic staff living there.

Can I convert a travel trailer or RV into an ADU?

No. Section 11-1-4.09(C) specifically bars a mobile home, travel trailer, or recreational vehicle from being used as a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit; a permanent structure meeting building, electrical, fire, mechanical, and plumbing codes is required instead.

What has to be submitted before building an ADU in Midland?

Section 11-1-4.09(D) requires a scaled site plan showing the principal dwelling, existing accessory structures, and the proposed ADU; a scaled floor plan of both structures; and elevations showing the existing and proposed architectural design, exterior color, material, and finish.

Sources & Official References

[1]Midland, TX Code of Ordinances (Municode)

Other rules in Midland

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All Midland rules

How Midland compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Midland to another location·View the Texas accessory structures overview

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