YOUR ADU BUILDER IN AUSTIN, IS CLOSER WITHIN REACH THAN YOU MAY THINK
ADU BUILDERS AUSTIN
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — also referred to as accessory apartments, second units, or granny flats — are additional living quarters on single-family lots that are independent of the primary dwelling unit. The separate living spaces are equipped with kitchen and bathroom facilities and can be either attached(attached adu) or detached(detached adu) from the main residence. This case study explores how the adoption of ordinances, with reduced regulatory restrictions to encourage ADUs, can be advantageous for communities. Following an explanation of the various types of ADUs and their benefits, this case study provides examples of municipalities with successful ADU legislation and programs.
Imagine Austin – the city’s comprehensive plan through 2040, was created with input from thousands of Austinites and established a community vision of a city of complete communities where the necessities of life are affordable and accessible to all.
Small House Solutions guarantees main house(original house) plans and designs all compliant with local building codes and zoning ordinances provided in the city. A design-build firm that handles everything from preliminary design, and permitting to post-construction phases. Dwell Smart!
Austin Texas Zoning Map: https://maps-austin.com/austin-zoning-map
About the Planning and Zoning Department – Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) – Other Regulations
The Purpose of the Planning and Zoning Department is to provide planning, preservation and design services to make Austin the most livable city in the country.
- Interim-Director: Denise Lucas
- Organization Chart (PDF)
- Contact Information: 512-974-3583
- Hours of Operation: 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Location: One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, 5th Floor
Divisions:
- City Boundaries and Special Districts
- Code Amendments
- Demographics
- Historic Preservation
- Imagine Austin
- Long Range Planning
- Maps and Data
- Media Relations – 512-974-2743
- Office of the Director – 512-974-3531
- Urban Design – 5th Floor – 512-974-2975
- Zoning Review
- For Zoning Verification, contact the Development Services Department at 512-978-4000. (A County Tax Parcel number is required).
ADU
Affordable housing and neighborhood stability are important public objectives in the City of San Antonio. In recent years, accessory dwellings have become an important method to permit families to remain in their homes by securing rental income, while at the same time providing housing for the elderly, single-person households, students, and other needy populations. Accessory dwellings are also known as “carriage houses,” “granny flats,” or “echo homes” (an acronym for “elder cottage housing opportunities”). Detached and Attached ADUs are subject to different provisions.
The city’s UDC permits internal, attached, and detached accessory dwellings by right in multiple rural and residential districts, subject to use-specific standards (§35-311). These standards address owner occupancy, permitting, utilities, maximum occupancy, unit size, number of bedrooms, units per lot, parking area location, and setbacks (§35-371). The code’s off-street parking standards address accessory dwellings (§35-526).
At the November 19, 2015, Council meeting, the Council approved the following changes to the ADU regulations:
- Reduce minimum lot size for ADUs on SF-3 zoned lots to 5,750 square feet.
- Set the maximum size of an ADU to 1,100 square feet or 0.15 FAR whichever is smaller
- Reduce building separation to 10 feet (front to back and side to side).
- Eliminate the requirement that an entry is more than 10 feet from a property line.
- Remove driveway requirement
- Provide one parking space for the ADU in addition to the main structure parking.
- Eliminate parking requirement for ADU within 1/4 mile of an activity corridor as identified in the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan that is also served by transit
- Limit use as a short-term rental to a maximum of 30 days per year for ADUs constructed after October 1, 2015.
- Prohibit use as a Type 2 short term rental.
PERMITTING/PERMIT PROCESS
Any commercial construction projects or renovation project requiring a building permit from the City’s Planning and Development Review Department may also require an “Industrial Waste Plan Review” approval letter from the Pretreatment Program if the proposed project involves any potential industrial wastewater discharge and/or if manhole and sample port requirements apply [see Section 15-10-004 of the Austin City Code]. Typically, this approval letter is necessary prior to submitting plans for the WPDRD building permit.
The first step in obtaining an approval letter is to prepare project plans (or drawings). The plans must include:
- Site utility plan showing water and wastewater connections to city mains and water meter location(s)
- Plumbing layout plan or floor plan (to scale) indicating all fixtures, drain inlets, or water outlets
- Equipment layout
- Drain, waste, and vent riser diagram
- Pretreatment equipment specifications
- Utility wastewater tap records (if available)
You may contact our office and set up an appointment with a Pretreatment Program staff member or simply send your plans to our office by mail or courier. The vast majority of the building plans we review for commercial and institutional facilities that prepare food (e.g., restaurants, cafeterias, food processors, nursing homes, day care facilities, etc.). Building plan reviews from the Pretreatment Program are also required from carwashes and businesses that develop photographs or x-rays (e.g., drug stores, dental offices, and medical offices).
For more information about zoning, building and permitting in Austin, TX, please visit www.austintexas.gov/dsd.
Additional and Backyard House – New ADU in Austin
These are often known as the Backyard Home, mother-in-law Suites Guest Houses, Casita Houses, and Other structures. These buildings are built according to local building codes and the International Residential Codes (IRC). Permanent structures have been allowed within the neighborhood boundaries in Austin Texas.
Small House Solutions offers high-demand custom homes, guest houses, tiny homes(small homes), backyard homes, adus, and large residential designs. We provide full service that helps us satisfy the little details and meet your expectations. Our small dwelling building package includes.
Site visits and site analysis from highly experienced members of our staff Sit-down for the initial design consultations or Zoom videoconferencing with screen sharing. A fixed pricing quote for having your new tiny house built and co-ownership of your tiny house plans and renderings. Our turnkey project-build coordination process may include geotechnical engineering, civil engineering structural engineering, septic engineering construction project, permit process services, HOA collaboration, and garage conversion adu building.
If you’re looking for the right one-stop-shop, full service ADU builder in East Austin TX, Small House Solutions specializes in a variety of home types, certain features, and structures including All Types and Sizes of Custom Homes, Backyard Homes, Tiny Homes, ADU’s, Accessory Structures (Studios, Pool Houses, Detached Offices, Home Office), Mother-In-Law Suites, Man-Caves, She-Sheds, Tiny Homes on Wheels, and Park Models. Our in-house custom design services include Site Due-Diligence / Feasibility Study, Site Plan Creation, Floor Plan, Drafting, Electrical Layout, Exterior Elevations, and new ADU Construction Project.
Homeowners can opt either for a detached backyard unit(detached adu) or an attached Accessory Dwelling Unit(attached adu)—we are comfortable with building ADUs in Austin Texas. Backyard ADUs and detached adus provide help address housing problems, improve your rental prospects, and are a great privacy feature if you have in-laws or other family members living with you. Give your family members and loved ones their own dining area, additional living space(living area) square footage, new adu separately, personal, and private space.
We can help you tear down the old and build the new construction of your property, main house(original house) and build classy new custom homes from scratch and garage conversion for better real estate and property value. Our role as a one-stop-shop Austin ADU Builder company in the Austin TX area is to ensure that you have a flawless experience with minimum worry or fatigue as our small home adu builder Austin does what they do best.
Most people benefit from ADUs by giving them for rent. Since they’re made fully equipped with kitchens, bathrooms, flexible living space, bedrooms, and often garages, the perfect way for small families or students to rent out in most cases. In Austin Area, particularly, where there is a shortage of affordable housing, new ADU construction is very useful for tenants as well as landlords.
Accessory Dwelling Unit in Austin TX You know them as Austin Granny Flat, Garage Apartments, Mother-in-Law Dwellings, Man Caves, and Guest Houses, but they are now officially known (according to the City of Austin) as ADUs, or Accessory Dwelling Units(ADUs). The Austin Area is currently experiencing an affordability crisis. Many homeowners are struggling to afford their upward spiraling property taxes.
Small House Solutions
Our team of professionals and general contractors specializes in new adu, custom homes, backyard homes, building in East Austin the Best Accessory Dwelling Unit. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are small dwellings right on the same property attached to your regular single-family house, main house, secondary unit, or existing home structure. ADUs go by a lot of names: accessory apartments, secondary suites, in-law units, backyard units, and Austin granny flats. Their uses also vary, ranging from creative and meditative property to full tiny homes made for sustainability.
Small House Solution’s portfolio features both custom homes, tiny homes(small homes) and Building ADUs. The team is well-versed in new construction and building in your own backyard, accessory dwelling unit in the last few years that generate new, affordable living spaces that can save money. Working with several ADU(Accessory Dwelling Unit) projects has helped the firm create your dream home and streamline home design is the perfect adu that quickly get your property approved for building permits and taking care for other fees.
ADU PROJECT
Accessory Dwelling Units / ADU’s
Tiny House On Wheels
Park Models
Single Family Residential
Accessory Structures
Miscellaneous
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a building permit?
The City of Austin requires a permit for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, improve, remove, convert, move or demolish any building or structure within the City’s zoning jurisdiction or in a Municipal Utility District (MUD) if the consent agreement between the MUD and the City requires insurance of a permit prior to construction. Unless specifically exempted by the City Code, permits are required within the City’s zoning jurisdiction; in MUDs or for electrical and plumbing work in other areas outside the City’s zoning jurisdiction where City utilities are provided. A separate permit is required for each building or structure where work occurs.
A permit expires on the 181st day if the project has not scheduled nor received an inspection. A “Canceled” and/or “Failed/No Work Performed” inspection result does not extend the expiration date.
Do I need a Permit to build a Fence?
Questions regarding fences are common. This page has some helpful information on fencing and its regulation in the Austin City.
How do I find permitting requirements for the City of Austin?
Inside the City Limits (full purpose annexation) – Zoning, Subdivision, Site plan, Building, Trade, and Concrete permits are required.
If your property is totally within Austin City and you are erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, improving, removing, converting, moving, demolishing any building or structure, you are required to obtain an Austin City Building Permit, a site plan (development permit), or a site plan exemption. Depending on the extent of your work, you may be required to obtain one or more of the following permits
- Building
- Electrical
- Mechanical (heating/air conditioning)
- Plumbing
- After Hours Concrete Pouring (Applicable in Central Business District Only)
Inside the City Limits (limited purpose annexation) – The same rules above apply. In addition, Travis County requires development permits, building permits, and driveway permits.
Extra-territorial Jurisdiction (not limited purpose annexation) – The extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is that area extending five miles outside the Austin City corporate limits. All development in the ETJ is required to obtain a site plan (development permit) approvals or site plan exemptions from the City. In addition, plumbing and/or electrical permits may be required if the project is served by City utilities (ETJ fees will be assessed in addition to the permit fees). Development and driveway permits are required by Travis County and Hays County.
All areas inside the city limits and/or ETJ (other commonly required approvals):
- Austin/Travis County Health Department permits, if the project needs a septic system or if it is a sanitary landfill or salvage yard. LCRA has jurisdiction for permits for septic tanks adjacent to Lake Travis.
- US Fish and Wildlife Service permits for endangered species habitats.
- Texas Water Commission permit for projects over the Edwards Aquifer.
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Corps of Engineers approval for drainage modifications.
- Projects involving single-family boat docks, earthwork, site clearing, utilities, and street and drainage improvements require a site plan (development permit) or site plan exemption. Boat docks also require building and electrical (if lighted) permits along Lake Austin.
What are the regulations and limitations for a Home Occupation?
A home occupation is a commercial use that is accessory to a residential use. A home occupation must comply with the requirements of Section 25-2-900 of the Austin City Code.
Advertising a home occupation by a sign on the premises is prohibited, except as provided under Section 25-10-156 (Home Occupation Signs). Advertising the street address of a home occupation through signs, billboards, television, radio, or newspapers is prohibited.
The following are prohibited as home occupations:
- animal hospitals, animal breeding;
- clinics, hospitals;
- hospital services;
- contractors yards;
- dance studios;
- scrap and salvage services;
- massage parlors other than those employing massage therapists licensed by the state;
- restaurants;
- cocktail lounges;
- rental outlets;
- equipment sales;
- adult oriented businesses;
- recycling centers;
- drop-off recycling collection facilities;
- an activity requiring an H-occupancy under Section 25-2, Article 5, Home Occupations (Building Code);
- automotive repair services; and
- businesses involving the repair of any type of internal combustion engine, including equipment repair services.
For information about Residential Tours and Garage Sales, please visit sections 25-2-902 and 25-2-903 of the code.
For more information contact the Development Assistance Center, (512) 974-6370.
We offer free consultation services for ADU Builders Austin.
Have a specific question for us? We’ll chat about your project and see if we are a good fit.
Small House Solutions serves the following Texas Towns, Counties and nearby Areas for Tiny, Small, Large Custom Homes, Tiny Homes on Wheels, ADU, Accessory Structure and Park Models:
Custom Home Builder Copperas Cove TX
Custom Home Builder Fredericksburg TX
Custom Home Builder Georgetown TX
Custom Home Builder Harker Heights TX
Custom Home Builder Hays County TX
Custom Home Builder Houston
Custom Home Builder Hutto TX
Custom Home Builder Kendall County TX
Custom Home Builder Killeen
