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New Braunfels, TX Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

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

Key Facts

Units allowed per lot: One accessory dwelling
Location: Attached or separate structure
Max accessory buildings/lot: Two detached buildings
Rear setback (accessory): At least 3 feet

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 New Braunfels, TX rules below cover local size, height, and setback requirements.

Summary

New Braunfels allows one accessory dwelling per lot in single-family zones, attached or detached, capped by accessory-building size limits.

Accessory dwellings. A secondary living space that is on-site with a primary living space is allowed and may be contained within the same structure as the primary dwelling, or may be contained in a separate structure. A guest house and a garage loft are examples of accessory dwellings.
(i) Accessory equipment requirements. Air conditioning compressors, swimming pool pumps and similar accessory structures shall observe all front and exterior side yard setbacks specified for the particular zoning district in which the property is located. A minimum interior side building setback and rear building setback of three feet shall be observed, unless otherwise approved by the building official in accordance with the city adopted building codes.
(Ord. No. 2012-49, § 1(Exh. A), 9-10-12; Ord. No. 2021-07 , § 7, 2-8-21; Ord. No. 2023-06 , § 8, 2-27-23)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 36).

Full Breakdown

The zoning code lets homeowners add a secondary living space on the same lot as their house, either inside the main structure or in a separate building like a guest house or garage loft. The land use matrix caps it at one accessory dwelling per lot in districts such as R-1, and a full accessory dwelling has its own kitchen, sleeping area, and bathroom under the code's definition. Detached versions still count against the two-accessory-building-per-lot limit and the accessory building size caps (500 square feet for one story, 1,000 for two stories in the newer SND-1 district standard), and a rear setback as small as three feet applies to the accessory structure itself.

Violations & Fines

Building without a permit or exceeding one accessory dwelling per lot triggers a stop-work order and requires the planning department to bring the structure into compliance or remove it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build a garage apartment in New Braunfels?

Yes, one accessory dwelling per lot is allowed in single-family districts, attached to the house or in a separate structure like a garage loft.

Does an accessory dwelling need its own kitchen?

The code's default definition requires a kitchen, sleeping area, and bathroom, though some districts specifically permit a no-kitchen accessory dwelling instead.

Sources & Official References

[1]New Braunfels Code of Ordinances, Chapter 144 - Zoning, Article V

Other rules in New Braunfels

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome Restrictions Shed & Carport RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All New Braunfels rules

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

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