Sugar Land, TX Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Section 2-71's Residential District Supplemental Regulations state the rule directly: 'A Single-Family Detached Dwelling located in a R-1, R-1R, or R-1E district may provide for an additional Dwelling Unit as accessory quarters located in the Principal Building or as part of a Detached garage, if: i. The accessory quarters does not contain more than 600 square feet of Living Space, and ii. The occupant or occupants do not pay compensation for the use of the accessory quarters.' The regulation notes it was 'Moved from Section 2-192.F.6,' and cross-references Sec. 2-192 for the structure's physical requirements.

Sec. 2-192.F.1 lets an accessory structure sit as close as 5 feet from a rear or side lot line, instead of the standard rear/side setback, if it is no taller than one and a half stories or 20 feet, has no rear-facing balcony or window above the first story, stands detached and at least 10 feet from the principal building, and, if connected by an unenclosed breezeway, keeps that breezeway to 6 feet or less in width. Sec. 2-193.B.3 backs up the no-compensation rule citywide: 'the family occupying the Dwelling Unit may not lease or rent any portion of the Dwelling to another person.' A separate but nearly identical allowance exists in the historic Mixed Use Conservation (MUC) District under Sec. 2-112.C, also capped at 600 square feet with no compensation for the occupant. The R-1/R-1R/R-1E rule was adopted by Ord. No. 2149, § 6, effective Feb. 19, 2019, and the accessory-structure setback provisions have since been amended through Ord. No. 2339, § 14, June 6, 2024.