Accessory Structures in Dallas, TX (2026)
4 verified accessory structures rules for Dallas, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Dallas allows accessory dwelling units, garage apartments and similar rentable second units, only inside a neighborhood-petitioned ADU overlay under Sec. 51A-4.510. Detached units run 200 to 700 square feet, must sit behind the main house, and cannot exceed one story.
Dallas Accessory Dwelling Unit Overlay Rules
Significant RestrictionsDallas Development Code Sec. 51A-4.510(a)(1), (b)(3), (c)(2)(C), (c)(2)(G)
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU) means a rentable additional dwelling unit, subordinate to the main unit, located on a building site with a single family use... An overlay must contain at least 50 single family structures in a compact, contiguous area, or be an original subdivision if the subdivision contains fewer than 50 single family structures... (i) Detached accessory dwelling unit. (aa) Mini...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Inside a Dallas accessory dwelling unit overlay, the property owner must live on-site, in either the main house or the ADU, whenever one of the two units is rented out, per Sec. 51A-4.510(c)(4).
Dallas ADU Owner Occupancy Requirement
Some RestrictionsDallas Development Code Sec. 51A-4.510(c)(4)
(4) Owner occupancy. (A) Except as provided in this paragraph, if one dwelling unit is used as rental accommodations, the property owner must reside in the main structure or the accessory dwelling unit during the tenancy. (B) The owner may be absent for one year with director approval.
ADU Rental Restrictions
A Dallas accessory dwelling unit that is rented out must be registered in the city's single family rental program, and Sec. 51A-4.510(c)(1)(B) bars ever selling the ADU separately from the main house.
Dallas ADU Rental Program Registration Rule
Some RestrictionsDallas Development Code Sec. 51A-4.510(c)(1)(B)-(C), (c)(5)
(B) An accessory dwelling unit may not be sold separately from the main building. (C) For an accessory dwelling unit, the prohibition on advertisements in Section 51A-4.209(b)(6)(E)(vii)(bb) do not apply. ... (5) Single family rental program. The rental unit must be registered in the city single family rental program.
Shed & Carport Rules
Dallas caps backyard sheds and other accessory structures at the height of the main house and limits their floor area under Development Code Sec. 51A-4.209(b)(6)(E)(vii). One shed cannot exceed 25% of the house's floor area, and all accessory structures combined cap out at 50%.
Dallas Shed Height and Size Limits
Some RestrictionsDallas Development Code Sec. 51A-4.209(b)(6)(E)(vii)
Accessory structures. Except in the agricultural district, accessory structures are subject to the following regulations: ... (cc) The height of an accessory structure may not exceed the height of the main building. (dd) The floor area of any individual accessory structure on a lot, excluding floor area used for parking, may not exceed 25 percent of the floor area of the main building. (ee) The...
Looking for Dallas County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Dallas city rules.
Accessory Structures in Dallas County →