Check ADU eligibility for properties in Austin & the surrounding metro area
Based on Austin HOME Initiative rules
See if your property is zoned SF-3, SF-2, or SF-1 and what it means for ADUs.
We verify if your lot meets the 2,500 sqft minimum for multiple units.
See recent ADU permits in your neighborhood to see what neighbors are building.
Austin's housing rules have changed dramatically. The "HOME Initiative" has relaxed restrictions, making it easier than ever to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to your property.
With Austin's median home price remaining high, ADUs offer a way to:
1. Check Eligibility: Use the search tool above to verify your zoning and lot size.
2. Survey & Design: Hire a surveyor to map trees and impervious cover.
3. Financing: Explore HELOCs, renovation loans, or cash-out refinances.
4. Permitting: Submit plans to the City of Austin Development Services Department (DSD).
Explore ADU permit activity and eligibility in popular Austin neighborhoods:
Explore ADU eligibility in cities across the greater Austin metro area:
Breakdown of costs from permits to finish-out. $250-400/sqft explained.
The new "3 units per lot" rule explained. No parking mandates, new height limits.
Rental income estimates for 78704, 78702, and more. Is it worth the cost?
The HOME (Home Options for Mobility and Equity) Initiative is a series of code amendments adopted by Austin City Council starting December 2023. It allows property owners to build up to 3 housing units on single-family zoned lots, removes parking requirements, and relaxes other restrictions to increase housing supply.
Most single-family zoned properties (SF-1, SF-2, SF-3) in Austin can now have up to 3 units under the HOME Initiative. Key requirements include minimum lot size of 2,500 sqft and compliance with building coverage (40%) and impervious cover (45%) limits.
Under the HOME Initiative, there is no longer a size limit for ADUs. Previously, ADUs were capped at 1,100 sqft. Now, size is only limited by building coverage (40% max) and setback requirements.
No. The HOME Initiative removed parking requirements for additional units on single-family lots. You can build up to 3 units without providing any off-street parking.
The minimum lot size for a property with multiple units is 2,500 sqft. However, HOME Phase 2 (May 2024) also allows single-family homes on lots as small as 1,800 sqft.