What's Required in Fort Worth
- A building permit is required for any new or converted living space.
- A habitable accessory structure may not be taller than the main house.
- Water, electric and gas must come from the meters serving the main house unless a variance is granted.
- The unit must meet district setbacks and lot coverage limits (50% in A-5).
- Accessory buildings with habitable space need mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans.
- Converting a garage may need a variance for the lost required parking.
- Fees are by new square footage plus a $33.08 application fee and $16.87 technology fee.
- Trade work is permitted separately by licensed trades or a homestead owner-occupant.
Can you build an ADU in Fort Worth?
Fort Worth's zoning ordinance does not use a stand-alone ADU permit. A backyard cottage, guest house or casita is a habitable accessory structure under Section 5.301 of the Zoning Ordinance. Board of Adjustment agendas show these being built in one-family districts. They also show three rules that shape every project:
- Height: a habitable accessory structure may not exceed the height of the primary structure. Taller designs need a variance.
- Utilities: accessory structures that connect to water, electric or gas must receive service from the meters serving the primary structure. A separate meter needs a variance.
- Setbacks and coverage: the unit must meet the district standards. Agendas cite a 5-foot side setback in A-7.5, a 10-foot rear setback in A-10, a 25-foot rear setback in A-43 and 50% maximum lot coverage in A-5.
What we could not confirm is the use rule. The text of Section 5.301 sits on a code host that refused every request, so we could not verify whether a habitable accessory building in an A district may have a full kitchen or be rented to an unrelated household. Ask zoning staff (817-392-8028) before you plan on rental income. If you want a true second rentable home, look at two-family B zoning. The city's district summary says it allows two detached dwellings on a single lot of at least 7,500 sq ft. Texas did not change this in 2025. The state ADU bill, SB 673, was last placed on the House calendar on May 26, 2025.
How much does an ADU permit cost in Fort Worth?
New living space is charged by square footage from the R-3 table of Fee Ordinance 26-28781, effective October 1, 2026. Texas Local Government Code 214.907 bars value-based fees. New R-3 square footage of 500 sq ft or less pays the reduced rate: $61.01 for the first 65 sq ft plus $0.45 for each additional square foot. Larger units pay $570.00 for the first 700 sq ft plus $0.53 for each additional square foot, up to 1,400. Every permit adds the $33.08 application fee and $16.87 technology fee.
Worked examples: a 400 sq ft attached suite is $61.01 + (335 x $0.45) = $211.76, plus $49.95, for $261.71. An 800 sq ft detached guest house is $570.00 + (100 x $0.53) = $623.00, plus $49.95, for $672.95. No plan review deposit is charged for additions to an existing house or for accessory structures. The electrical, plumbing and mechanical work is permitted separately, with application and per-item fees.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 400 sq ft suite attached to the house | Residential addition permit, $261.71 | R-3 rate up to 500 sq ft, plus trade permits |
| 800 sq ft detached guest house | Building permit, $672.95 | $570 + $0.53 per sq ft over 700, plus trade permits |
| Convert the garage to living space | Building permit, plus possible variance ($591) | Removing required parking may need Board of Adjustment approval |
| Guest house taller than the main house | Board of Adjustment variance | Habitable accessory height may not exceed the primary |
| Separate electric meter for the unit | Board of Adjustment variance | Accessory utilities must come from the primary meters |
| Second detached house on a B-zoned lot | New residential building permit | B allows two detached dwellings on 7,500 sq ft |
| Renting the backyard unit in an A district | Confirm with zoning first | Use limits in Section 5.301 not verified |
Who can build it?
A building contractor registered with the city can pull the permit. So can an owner-occupant with a homestead permit, which also covers the owner's own mechanical, plumbing and electrical work. Licensed trades must pull their permits otherwise. Accessory buildings with habitable space must submit mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans. Apply in Accela Citizen Access. Residential plans get first review comments within 7 business days.
How to Get a ADU Permit in Fort Worth
Confirm zoning and use
Look up your district and ask zoning staff how a habitable accessory structure may be used on your lot, including kitchens and rental.
Design to the limits
Keep the unit no taller than the main house, inside the district setbacks and lot coverage, and served from the house's meters.
Prepare plat, site plan and MEP plans
Submit the recorded plat, a site plan with setbacks, construction plans, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans.
Apply and pay in Accela
File the residential permit in Accela Citizen Access and pay the square-footage fee plus $49.95. First review comments come within 7 business days.
Pull trade permits and pass inspections
Licensed trades or the homestead owner pull trade permits. Then schedule foundation, rough-in, framing and final inspections.