ADU rules in Travis County, TX — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Unincorporated Travis County has no zoning authority and therefore no ADU restrictions beyond septic/OSSF rules. Austin allows ADUs on most SF lots under HOME Initiative amendments (2023-2024) with reduced lot size, setback, and parking requirements. ADUs up to 1,100 sq ft permitted by right in Austin SF-1/2/3 zones.
Travis County cannot zone under Texas Local Government Code, so ADUs in unincorporated areas are limited only by TCEQ OSSF (septic) capacity (30 TAC 285) and deed restrictions. A typical septic system can support one additional 1-bedroom unit without expansion. Austin HOME Initiative Phase 1 (Dec 2023) reduced minimum lot size from 5,750 to 2,500 sq ft and allows up to 3 units per SF lot. ADUs can be up to 1,100 sq ft or 0.15 FAR (whichever is less), 15 foot setbacks reduced to 5 foot side/rear, and parking requirements eliminated citywide. Short-term rental use of ADUs requires Type 2 STR license. Pflugerville, Lakeway, Cedar Park have more restrictive ADU rules.
Unpermitted ADU in Austin: stop-work order, double permit fees, potential daily fines up to 2,000 dollars. Septic overload in unincorporated areas: TCEQ enforcement, system upgrade required. HOA violations per deed.
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See how Travis County's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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