ADU Permits: Arlington vs North Richland Hills
How do adu permits rules compare between Arlington, TX and North Richland Hills, TX?
Arlington, TX
Tarrant County
Arlington allows accessory dwelling units only in limited residential districts under the Arlington Unified Development Code (UDC) Article 4. Detached ADUs (called 'guest quarters' or 'accessory living quarters') typically require a Specific Use Permit (SUP) reviewed by Planning and Zoning Commission and approved by City Council. Building permits issue only after the SUP is granted. Texas has not preempted local discretionary review.
View full Arlington rules →North Richland Hills, TX
Tarrant County
No data available yet for North Richland Hills.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington | North Richland Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | Arlington UDC Art. 4 & 5 | - |
| Review Type | Specific Use Permit (discretionary) | - |
| Timeline | 3–6 months SUP + permit | - |
| Detached Max Size | ~600 sq ft typical | - |
| Minimum Lot | ~8,000 sq ft typical | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington FAQ
How do I get an ADU permit in Arlington?
Most Arlington ADUs require a Specific Use Permit under UDC Article 4. File the SUP with Community Development and Planning, attend Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council hearings, then apply for the building permit through OneStart. Total time 3–6 months.
Why does Arlington require an SUP for ADUs?
Texas has not preempted local discretionary review of ADUs the way California's Gov. Code § 65852.2 has preempted San Diego. Arlington retains City Council authority to approve or deny each accessory living quarters request after public hearing.
North Richland Hills FAQ
No FAQs available.
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