Plano allows a backyard cottage on many residential lots with a building permit and no public hearing, as of October 2026. Community Impact reported in April 2019 that thousands of Plano homes had become eligible. The zoning ordinance sets a minimum lot size, a size range for the cottage and an owner-occupancy requirement.
What limits does Plano's ordinance set?
As we read Section 15.1800 of the Plano Zoning Ordinance in October 2026:
- One backyard cottage per lot, on a lot of at least 6,000 sq ft.
- A cottage of at least 400 sq ft, and no more than 1,100 sq ft or half the main home's habitable floor area, whichever is smaller.
- No taller than the main house, placed behind it.
- The cottage cannot be sold separately from the main house.
Does the owner have to live there?
As adopted in 2019, yes: the owner must live in either the main house or the cottage and file an affidavit before the permit is issued. The ordinance has been amended since, so we confirm the current owner-occupancy wording with Plano before you plan around rental income.
What about my HOA?
Much of Plano is covered by HOA covenants. City permission does not override them. If your covenants limit a lot to one dwelling, the city's cottage allowance does not help. We read your covenants during the lot check.
What could a Plano ADU rent for?
Zumper's May 2026 report put Plano's one-bedroom asking rent at about $1,360. A cottage with its own yard and parking may compete well against that; a small studio may not. See our rent guide.