Sometimes. As of October 2026, the City of Dallas does not allow ADUs by right on most single-family lots. You can build one if your neighborhood has an ADU overlay, or if the Board of Adjustment grants you a special exception. Either way, the owner must live on the property.
What are the two ways to get an ADU approved?
| Path | Who applies | Who decides |
|---|---|---|
| ADU overlay | A neighborhood committee of at least 10 owners, with petitions from more than half the owners | City Plan Commission and City Council, at public hearings |
| Special exception | One property owner ($600 filing fee) | Board of Adjustment, at a public hearing |
City Council approved both options on June 27, 2018. Once an overlay is in place, owners inside it apply directly for building permits.
What rules come with an approved ADU?
- Owner occupancy. The owner lives in the main house or the ADU.
- Deed restriction. The owner-occupancy requirement is recorded against the property.
- Size. In an overlay, from 200 sq ft up to 700 sq ft or 25 percent of the main house, whichever is greater.
Is Dallas planning to allow ADUs by right?
Not currently. A 2020 code amendment was put on hold on October 1, 2020, and the ForwardDallas 2.0 plan adopted on September 25, 2024, dropped an earlier proposal for by-right ADUs. Some council members have said ADUs should be revisited in future code work. As of October 2026, no by-right rule has been adopted.
Does a state law override Dallas?
No. Texas has no statewide ADU law. SB 673 would have required cities to allow ADUs, but it stalled on the House calendar in May 2025.
Sources, as of October 2026:
- City of Dallas Planning and Development, Accessory Dwelling Units page.
- D Magazine, reporting on the Dallas ADU ordinance (2018).
- CandysDirt, "Now That ForwardDallas Is on the Books, What's the Future of Accessory Dwelling Units?" (October 2024).
- Vanplex summary of Texas SB 673 bill history (89th Legislature).