ADU Owner Occupancy: McKinney vs Plano
How do adu owner occupancy rules compare between McKinney, TX and Plano, TX?
McKinney and Plano have similar restriction levels.
McKinney, TX
Collin County
McKinney's single-family residential zoning effectively requires owner-occupancy by limiting each lot to one dwelling unit. The accessory guest house cannot be rented as a separate household. Where a Specific Use Permit allows a true second unit, owner-occupancy is typically a recorded SUP condition. Texas has not preempted local owner-occupancy conditions.
View full McKinney rules →Plano, TX
Collin County
Plano's single-family residential zoning effectively requires owner-occupancy of accessory units by limiting each lot to one dwelling unit. The accessory guest house or servant's quarters cannot be rented as a separate household. Where a Specific Use Permit allows a true second unit, owner-occupancy is typically a condition. Texas has not preempted local owner-occupancy conditions.
View full Plano rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | McKinney | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Effective Requirement | Yes - one unit per lot | Yes - one unit per lot |
| Authority | McKinney RS zoning districts | Plano SF zoning districts |
| Where SUP Granted | Owner-occupancy typically required | Owner-occupancy typically required |
| Deed Restriction | Recorded with Collin County Clerk | Recorded with Collin County Clerk |
| Both Units Rented | Prohibited in SF districts | Prohibited in SF districts |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
McKinney FAQ
Does McKinney require owner occupancy?
Effectively yes. McKinney's single-family zoning permits only one dwelling unit per lot. An accessory guest house cannot be rented as a separate household. Where a Specific Use Permit allows a true second unit, owner-occupancy is typically a recorded SUP condition tied to the property by deed restriction.
Can I rent my guest house to a non-family tenant?
No, not as a separate household in single-family zoning. The accessory structure must be incidental to the main dwelling. Renting it as an independent unit is treated as an unauthorized second dwelling and a McKinney Zoning Ordinance violation enforced by Code Services with fines up to $500 per day.
Plano FAQ
Does Plano require owner occupancy?
Effectively yes. Plano's single-family zoning permits only one dwelling unit per lot. An accessory guest house cannot be rented as a separate household. Where a Specific Use Permit allows a true second unit, owner-occupancy is typically a recorded SUP condition.
Can I rent my guest house to a non-family tenant?
No, not as a separate household in single-family zoning. The accessory structure must be incidental to the main dwelling. Renting it as an independent unit is treated as an unauthorized second dwelling and a Plano Zoning Ordinance violation enforced by Code Compliance.
Can an LLC own a Plano property with an ADU?
LLC ownership is allowed but complicates owner-occupancy where required. The Specific Use Permit typically requires the principal member or trustee residing on-site to personally satisfy the residency test. Reviewed case-by-case by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
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