Accessory Structures in Cedar Park, TX

If you live in Cedar Park or are thinking about moving there, accessory structures are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Cedar Park has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of accessory structures, and some of them might surprise you.

ADU Rental Restrictions

Cedar Park bars renting or subletting an accessory dwelling unit separately from the main house: the ADU can only be sold, leased, or transferred together with the principal dwelling as one property.

Key details: Independent ADU rental: Prohibited. Transfer: Only with principal dwelling. Allowed occupants: Family or on-site employee. Basis: § 11.04.032(A)(2).

Advertising, leasing, or subletting an ADU independently of the principal dwelling violates § 11.04.032(A)(2) and can result in revocation of the ADU permit and a Code Compliance citation against the property owner.

This is one of the stricter rules in Cedar Park's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Garage Conversions

Cedar Park allows garage conversions only in the Semi-Urban Residential (SU) zoning district, and only if the converted space still leaves enough off-street parking to meet the zoning code's parking requirements for the dwelling.

Key details: Where allowed: SU district only. Condition: must still meet parking requirements. Governing section: § 11.03.153(B)(3)(c). Applies to: lots platted after Nov. 9, 2017. Max fine: $2,000 per day.

Building without required approvals, or converting a garage outside the SU exception, is enforceable as a Class C misdemeanor under § 11.08.003, fined up to $2,000 per day the violation continues.

Compared to other cities, Cedar Park takes a harder line on garage conversions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Shed & Carport Rules

Cedar Park caps all accessory buildings combined at 20% of a single-family lot's back yard, bars any one shed from exceeding the house's own size, and scales height and setback limits up as the structure gets bigger.

Key details: Backyard coverage cap: 20% of back yard. Size cap: cannot exceed house size. Setback (under 180 sf): 5 ft interior/rear. Height (under 80 sf): 12 feet. Governing table: Table 11.04.002.

An oversized, over-setback, or noncompliant accessory building is enforceable as a Class C misdemeanor under § 11.08.003, fined up to $2,000 per day the violation continues.

ADU Rules

Cedar Park allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot as an incidental use tied to the principal home, capped at 200 to 400 square feet or 25% of the main house's cooled floor area, whichever is less.

Key details: Max ADUs per lot: 1, attached or detached. Size cap: 400 sq ft or 25%. Detached ADU location: Rear yard only. Building size (detached): 400-650 gross sq ft. Garage conversions: Not permitted as ADUs.

Building an ADU that exceeds one per lot, sits outside the rear yard, or exceeds the size cap violates § 11.04.032 and can draw a Code Compliance stop-work order or permit denial until it's brought into conformance.

ADU Impact Fees

Cedar Park's Town Center Mixed Residential Area requires impact fees for both water and wastewater on every residential accessory dwelling unit, with at least a half water LUE and a half wastewater LUE billed per unit under section 11.02.035(E)(7)(b).

Key details: Applies to: Town Center Mixed Residential Area. Min. water LUE: One-half LUE per unit. Min. wastewater LUE: One-half LUE per unit. Utilities: Submetered from principal dwelling. Max unit size: 600 square feet.

Building an accessory dwelling without paying the required water and wastewater impact fees and securing LUE allocation blocks utility connection and can hold up certificate of occupancy for the unit.

ADU Owner Occupancy

Cedar Park requires an accessory dwelling unit to be owned by the same person or persons who own the principal home on the lot: the two can never be split into separate ownership.

Key details: Ownership: Same owner as main house. Separate title/financing: Not permitted. Applies to: Attached and detached ADUs. Basis: § 11.04.032(A)(1).

Titling, financing, or otherwise recording ownership of an ADU separately from the principal dwelling violates § 11.04.032(A)(1) and can void the ADU permit and draw Code Compliance enforcement.

The Bottom Line

Cedar Park is tougher than many cities when it comes to accessory structures. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Cedar Park, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Cedar Park's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.