Accessory Structures in Garland, TX

If you live in Garland or are thinking about moving there, accessory structures are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Garland has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of accessory structures, and some of them might surprise you.

ADU Rules

Garland lets an accessory dwelling share a lot with a single-family home under GDC § 2.58, but caps its floor area at 30% of the main house's floor area (never forcing it below 600 square feet), scales height to 15 or 25 feet by size, and bars renting or selling the unit apart from the main property.

Key details: Floor area cap: 30% of main building, min. 600 sq ft allowed. Height over 200 sq ft: 15 ft, 10.5 ft max wall height. Height over 500 sq ft: 25 ft or main height, whichever less. Interior side/rear setback: minimum 3 feet. Permit trigger: Building Permit required over 20 sq ft.

Building or renting out an Accessory Dwelling that busts the 30%-of-main-building floor area cap, exceeds the height limits tied to its size, or is sold or sublet apart from the main house violates GDC § 2.58 and is enforced as a misdemeanor under § 5.24, fined under Title 1, Chapter 10, Article 1 of the City Code, with continuing violations charged per day. Building without the required permit is a separate offense.

Garage Conversions

Garland's Development Code requires every single-family, single-family-attached, and two-family home to keep its required off-street parking inside an enclosed garage (GDC § 2.34(G)(2)). Converting that garage into a bedroom, office, or den without providing a code-compliant replacement space violates the parking standard, and the City still requires a repair/remodel building permit for the construction work itself.

Key details: Governing section: GDC § 2.34(G)(2), Residential Districts. Parking rule: Required spaces must sit in an enclosed garage. Applies to: Single-family detached, attached, and two-family homes. Permit fee: $0.44 per sq ft, minimum $75.00 (§ 30.301(C)). Driveway length: Minimum 20 feet to the right-of-way.

Converting a garage without a permit is an unpermitted-construction violation the Building Inspection Department can cite on discovery, whether from a complaint, a resale inspection, or a related permit application that reveals the change. Losing the required enclosed parking under § 2.34(G)(2) without an approved replacement is a separate zoning violation; the City can require the space be restored to garage use or a compliant alternate parking area be built before final approval.

Shed & Carport Rules

Garland regulates backyard sheds and other accessory buildings under GDC Section 2.58. Any accessory building over 20 square feet needs a Building Permit, total accessory floor area is capped at 30 percent of the main house (never less than 600 square feet), and maximum height steps up with size: 15 feet over 200 square feet, 25 feet over 500 square feet.

Key details: Permit trigger: Any accessory building over 20 SF. Floor area cap: 30% of main building, floor of 600 SF. Height, over 200 SF: 15 ft max, 10.5 ft wall. Height, over 500 SF: 25 ft or main roof height, lower wins. Rear-yard setback: 3 ft side and rear minimum.

Building a shed or garage without the required permit, oversized for the lot, or too tall for its floor-area tier is a GDC violation. Section 5.24 makes it a misdemeanor fined under Section 10.05, Title 1, Chapter 10, Article 1 of the City Code, up to $2,000, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense; the City may also order the structure removed or brought into compliance.

The Bottom Line

Garland's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Garland is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Garland's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.