Frisco allows a second dwelling on a single-family lot, but only in one shape. The code's ADU is the Garage Apartment — "a dwelling unit attached to a garage (either above or on the same level as the garage), when the main structure is detached and owner-occupied" (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §7.01.01). Building one takes nothing more than a building permit: no rezoning, no hearing, no special exception (§4.06.03(B)). Two conditions bind hard. You must live in the main house to rent it out, and the apartment takes the primary structure's setbacks rather than the relaxed accessory-building setbacks — on a standard SF-7 lot that is 30 feet off the rear line, not 3. Frisco's other accessory living space, the Guest House, is defined only as a building "used to house guests of the owner(s) of the main residential structure," not as a dwelling unit.
Zoning & Size Requirements [1][2][3][4][5]
Yes — Frisco allows ADUs. A detached ADU can typically be up to 972 sq ft under current Texas and Frisco zoning rules.
See what this means for your lot — get 5 free quotes from Frisco ADU builders →
| Allowed Zones | "A Garage Apartment or Guest House shall be allowed as an incidental use on the same lot or tract as the main dwelling unit" (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.06.03), in the residential districts the accessory-structure standards apply to — AG, RE, SF-16, SF-12.5, SF-10, SF-8.5, SF-7, OTR, PH, 2F, TH, MF-15, MF-19 and MH (§4.06.01). Frisco's Use Chart at Subsection 3.02 is published as a graphic rather than as searchable text in the online code, so the district-by-district permission could not be read directly — confirm your parcel's district with Frisco Development Services at 972-292-5301 |
| Max Size (Detached) | No ADU-specific floor-area cap appears anywhere in Frisco's zoning ordinance — §4.06.03 sets location, permit, rental and setback standards for a Garage Apartment or Guest House but states no maximum size. What binds instead is the district's maximum lot coverage for all buildings: 45% in SF-7, SF-8.5 and SF-10, 40% in SF-12.5, 30% in SF-16, 20% in RE and 55% in OTR (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §2.06.04). Note also that a detached unit in Frisco is a Guest House, which §7.01.01 does not define as a dwelling unit — confirm with Frisco Development Services (972-292-5301) before designing a detached unit with a kitchen |
| Max Size (Attached) | No size cap stated. A Garage Apartment must be built attached to a garage, either above it or on the same level (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.06.03(A)(1)); the garage in turn may be attached to the main structure through an open breezeway (§7.01.01). Lot coverage and the primary-structure setbacks are the real constraint |
| Max Size (JADU) | Not a category in Texas — Frisco's ordinance has no junior ADU designation |
| Max Height | No height limit specific to a Garage Apartment or Guest House. The residential district maximum applies — 40 feet / 2.5 stories in AG, RE, all five SF districts, OTR, PH and 2F (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §2.06.04). The 8-foot figure that appears in Figure 4.06.04.1 is a condition for the reduced 3-foot rear setback on alley-backing lots, not a general accessory-structure height cap — confirm with Frisco Development Services (972-292-5301) |
| Max Units | The ordinance states no numeric cap. §4.06.03 allows "a Garage Apartment or Guest House" as an incidental use on the lot, and §4.07.01(B)(1) permits only one main building for single-family and two-family use per lot "with permitted accessory buildings." Read it as one accessory dwelling and confirm with Frisco Development Services (972-292-5301) |
Setback Requirements [1][2][3][4][5]
Frisco requires a rear setback of about 30 ft for a detached ADU, and no additional parking is required. Owner-occupancy is required.
| Rear Setback | Same as the primary structure. Figure 4.06.04.1 gives the row "Guest House or Garage Apartment" setback note D — "Same as Primary Structure Setback" — front, side and rear, so it does not get the 3-foot rear setback ordinary accessory buildings on alley-backing lots may use (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.06.03(D), §4.06.04(G)). In practice that is 30 feet in AG, RE, SF-16, SF-12.5, SF-10, SF-8.5, SF-7 and 2F, and 8 feet (20 feet for a garage facing an alley) in OTR — Original Town Residential (§2.06.04). The figure is a graphic; confirm your number with Frisco Development Services (972-292-5301) |
| Side Setback | Same as the primary structure, with 15 feet required where the structure is adjacent to a side street (Figure 4.06.04.1, notes C and D). By district the primary side yard is 7 feet in SF-7 and SF-8.5, 10 feet in SF-10, 15 feet in SF-12.5 and SF-16, 20 feet in AG and 6 feet in OTR, with larger corner-lot side yards in each (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §2.06.04). No accessory structure may sit in the side yard setback between the front and rear yard setback lines (Figure 4.06.04.1, note 2) |
| Front Setback | Same as the primary structure (Figure 4.06.04.1, note D) — 25 feet in SF-7 and SF-8.5, 30 feet in SF-10 and SF-12.5, 40 feet in SF-16, RE and AG, and 20 feet plus a 5-foot utility easement in OTR (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §2.06.04). Separately, no accessory structure may project into the front yard beyond the face of the primary structure, porch excluded (Figure 4.06.04.1, note 3) |
| Parking Required | No additional parking is required for a Garage Apartment or Guest House — neither use appears in Frisco's parking schedule at §4.04.08, which sends "Dwellings, single-family and two-family" to §4.04.02(E). That baseline requires a minimum of two enclosed garage parking spaces plus two paved spaces behind the front property line in RE, SF-16, SF-12.5, SF-10, SF-8.5, SF-7, OTR, PH, 2F and TH (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.04.02(E)). Confirm with Frisco Development Services (972-292-5301) before relying on the absence |
| Owner Occupancy | Required in order to rent. "A Garage Apartment or Guest House may be rented or offered for rent provided that the main dwelling unit is owner-occupied" (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.06.03(C)(2)). The unit also may not be sold separately from the entire property including the main dwelling (§4.06.03(C)(1)), and owner-occupancy is written into the definition of Garage Apartment itself (§7.01.01) |
| Min Lot Size | No ADU-specific minimum lot size — the underlying district's minimum lot area applies: 7,000 sq ft in SF-7, 8,500 in SF-8.5, 10,000 in SF-10, 12,500 in SF-12.5, 16,000 in SF-16, 4,500 in OTR, 1 acre in RE and 2 acres in AG (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §2.06.04) |
Permit Process & Fees [6][7]
An ADU permit in Frisco goes through a ministerial, by-right review. Confirm with Frisco Plans & Permits (972-292-5301) — no published review timeline for a Garage Apartment or Guest House was found in a city source. Permit fees: Frisco publishes a Permit Fee Schedule on its Residential Permits page, but the document is served behind a bot check and could not be read — Confirm current building permit and plan review amounts with Frisco Plans & Permits (972-292-5301).
| Approval Process | By-right building permit — "A Garage Apartment or Guest House may be constructed only with the issuance of a Building Permit" (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.06.03(B)). §4.06.03 requires no rezoning, specific use permit, variance or public hearing. Applications are filed through Frisco's electronic review portal under Residential Additions & Alterations |
| Review Timeline | Confirm with Frisco Plans & Permits (972-292-5301) — no published review timeline for a Garage Apartment or Guest House was found in a city source |
| Permit Fees | Frisco publishes a Permit Fee Schedule on its Residential Permits page, but the document is served behind a bot check and could not be read — Confirm current building permit and plan review amounts with Frisco Plans & Permits (972-292-5301) |
| Impact Fees | Confirm with Frisco Development Services (972-292-5301) — no ADU-specific impact fee schedule was found in a city source |
| Plan Check | Standard residential plan review through Frisco's electronic permit portal. Budget for the facade rule: the exterior of an accessory structure must be built of the same exterior material as the main building and must meet or exceed §4.07.09 Exterior Construction of Main Buildings, with fiber cement siding allowed to satisfy the masonry requirement only on a structure of 200 sq ft or less in a single-family or two-family district (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.06.05). Confirm review timing with Frisco Plans & Permits (972-292-5301) |
| Pre-Approved Plans | No city pre-approved ADU plan library was found — Confirm with Frisco Development Services (972-292-5301) |
Get Free ADU Quotes in Frisco
Tell us about your project and we'll connect you with ADU builders serving Frisco. Free, no obligation — you choose who to work with.
1. Tell us your project
Takes about a minute.
Takes about a minute.
2. We match local pros
Up to 5 independent local ADU builders — never more, and we tell them nothing you don't submit here.
Up to 5 independent local ADU builders — never more, and we tell them nothing you don't submit here.
3. You choose
Compare quotes, verify license & insurance, hire (or don't). No spam either way.
Compare quotes, verify license & insurance, hire (or don't). No spam either way.
🔒 Your info is secure. We share it only with contractors quoting your project. No spam, no obligation.
Just browsing? Search ADU builders near you by ZIP code.
Construction Costs [8]
Building an ADU in Frisco typically costs $135,000-$270,000 ($155-$285 per sq ft); a garage conversion runs $65,000-$150,000.
See what this means for your lot — get 5 free quotes from Frisco ADU builders →
| Average Build Cost | $135,000-$270,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $155-$285 |
| Garage Conversion | $65,000-$150,000 |
| Prefab ADU (Installed) | $95,000-$205,000 |
Finance Your ADU Project
Most ADU projects are funded through HELOCs, construction loans, or cash-out refinancing. Compare rates from top lenders.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Rental Income Potential [9][10]
A 2-bedroom ADU in Frisco rents for around $1,700-$2,350/mo, an estimated 5-8% annual return.
| Avg Rent (1 Bedroom) | $1,300-$1,750/mo |
| Avg Rent (2 Bedroom) | $1,700-$2,350/mo |
| Short-Term Rental | Allowed, but only with a permit. Frisco's short-term rental ordinance names your unit explicitly: an STR is a dwelling "including a single-family dwelling, garage apartment, guest house or a unit in a multi-unit building" rented for less than 30 consecutive days (Frisco Code of Ordinances §18-461). "No short-term rental shall operate within the city without a current, valid short-term rental permit," and every individual unit with cooking, sleeping and bathing facilities needs its own separate permit (§18-462, Ordinance 2021-08-52 adopted 8/17/21). The owner-occupancy condition in Zoning Ordinance §4.06.03(C)(2) still applies on top |
| Est. Annual ROI | 5-8% annual return |
Explore Prefab ADU Options
Prefab ADUs can save 20-40% vs. traditional construction and cut build time in half.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Recent Law Changes
What's Changed Recently
- Texas has no statewide ADU law — SB 673 (89th Legislature, Regular Session) would have preempted local ADU restrictions but died without final passage in 2025, so Frisco's own ordinance is the entire story
- Ordinance 2026-07-44, adopted July 7, 2026, amended the Zoning Ordinance's Land Uses (Section 3) and Definitions (Section 7); the Garage Apartment and Guest House definitions quoted here are the text currently codified after that amendment
- Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.06.03 (Garage Apartment or Guest House) carries the adoption history "Ordinance 19-10-83 adopted 10/1/19; Ordinance 2021-07-47 adopted 7/6/21" — the owner-occupancy and no-separate-sale conditions date from that recodification
- Ordinance 2021-07-47 (July 6, 2021) put the accessory structure standards at §4.06 into their current form, including Figure 4.06.04.1, the setback figure that governs a garage apartment
- Ordinance 2021-08-52 (August 17, 2021) created Chapter 18, Article VIII, requiring a short-term rental permit for any residential unit let for under 30 days and naming garage apartments and guest houses in the definition
Tips for Building an ADU in Frisco
- Frisco's ADU is a garage apartment, not a backyard cottage: §4.06.03(A)(1) requires it to be attached to a garage, above it or on the same level. A freestanding unit is a Guest House, which §7.01.01 defines only as a building to house the owner's guests — get Development Services to confirm in writing before you design a detached unit with a full kitchen
- The setback figure is what costs you the yard: a Garage Apartment takes the primary structure's setbacks, so on a standard SF-7 lot you are 30 feet off the rear line and 25 feet off the front, not the 3 feet an ordinary alley-backing shed can use
- If you plan to rent it, you have to live in the main house — §4.06.03(C)(2) makes owner-occupancy the condition on renting, and the definition of Garage Apartment repeats it
- Budget for masonry. §4.06.05 requires the accessory structure's exterior to match the main building's material and meet the main-building exterior construction standard; the fiber cement exception only reaches structures of 200 sq ft or less
- There is no square-footage cap in the code — your size limit is the district's lot coverage for all buildings, 45% in SF-7, SF-8.5 and SF-10. Measure the house, garage, patio covers and driveway coverage before you draw anything
- Check for easements first: §4.06.04(B) prohibits an accessory structure in any easement, and Frisco's newer subdivisions carry wide rear utility easements
- If short-term letting is part of the plan, pull the Chapter 18 Article VIII permit before you advertise — operating or advertising without one is an offense under §18-462
ADU Builders in Frisco
Looking for an ADU builder in Frisco? ADU projects need a contractor experienced with local zoning, the permit process, and utility connections — not every general contractor has built one. We match Frisco homeowners with experienced local ADU contractors who provide free, no-obligation quotes. Getting at least three bids typically saves 20-40% on the same scope.
Sources & References
All data on this page is sourced from official government records and verified market data. View our full methodology.
- Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.06 — Accessory Structure Standards (Ordinance 19-10-83; Ordinance 2021-07-47) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-01
- Frisco Zoning Ordinance §7.01.01 — Terms and Words Defined (Garage Apartment; Guest House) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-01
- Frisco Zoning Ordinance §2.06.04 — Residential Districts Development Standards Chart Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-01
- Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.04 — Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-01
- Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.07 — Supplementary Regulations Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-01
- Apply for Residential Permits — City of Frisco Development Services (Plans & Permits, 972-292-5301) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-01
- Frisco Code of Ordinances Ch. 18 Art. VIII — Requirements for Owners of Residential Properties Used as Short-Term Rentals (Ordinance 2021-08-52) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-01
- Angi — ADU Construction Cost Data Market Data — Accessed 2026-09-01
- Zillow Rental Manager — Market Rent Data Market Data — Accessed 2026-09-01
- HUD Fair Market Rents Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-01
- Frisco Code of Ordinances Ch. 63 — Zoning Ordinance (table of contents and new laws) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-01
- Texas Legislature Online — SB 673, 89th Legislature Regular Session (bill history) Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-01
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts — Frisco city, Texas Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-01
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU in Frisco?
Yes. ADUs are allowed in "A Garage Apartment or Guest House shall be allowed as an incidental use on the same lot or tract as the main dwelling unit" (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.06.03), in the residential districts the accessory-structure standards apply to — AG, RE, SF-16, SF-12.5, SF-10, SF-8.5, SF-7, OTR, PH, 2F, TH, MF-15, MF-19 and MH (§4.06.01). Frisco's Use Chart at Subsection 3.02 is published as a graphic rather than as searchable text in the online code, so the district-by-district permission could not be read directly — confirm your parcel's district with Frisco Development Services at 972-292-5301 in Frisco. The maximum size for a detached ADU is No ADU-specific floor-area cap appears anywhere in Frisco's zoning ordinance — §4.06.03 sets location, permit, rental and setback standards for a Garage Apartment or Guest House but states no maximum size. What binds instead is the district's maximum lot coverage for all buildings: 45% in SF-7, SF-8.5 and SF-10, 40% in SF-12.5, 30% in SF-16, 20% in RE and 55% in OTR (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §2.06.04). Note also that a detached unit in Frisco is a Guest House, which §7.01.01 does not define as a dwelling unit — confirm with Frisco Development Services (972-292-5301) before designing a detached unit with a kitchen. Owner-occupancy is required: Required in order to rent. "A Garage Apartment or Guest House may be rented or offered for rent provided that the main dwelling unit is owner-occupied" (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.06.03(C)(2)). The unit also may not be sold separately from the entire property including the main dwelling (§4.06.03(C)(1)), and owner-occupancy is written into the definition of Garage Apartment itself (§7.01.01).
How much does an ADU cost in Frisco?
ADU construction in Frisco typically costs $135,000-$270,000. Garage conversions run $65,000-$150,000, and prefab ADUs cost $95,000-$205,000.
How much can I rent an ADU for in Frisco?
Average ADU rents in Frisco are $1,300-$1,750/mo for a 1-bedroom and $1,700-$2,350/mo for a 2-bedroom unit.
Do I need parking for an ADU in Frisco?
No additional parking is required for a Garage Apartment or Guest House — neither use appears in Frisco's parking schedule at §4.04.08, which sends "Dwellings, single-family and two-family" to §4.04.02(E). That baseline requires a minimum of two enclosed garage parking spaces plus two paved spaces behind the front property line in RE, SF-16, SF-12.5, SF-10, SF-8.5, SF-7, OTR, PH, 2F and TH (Frisco Zoning Ordinance §4.04.02(E)). Confirm with Frisco Development Services (972-292-5301) before relying on the absence. Check with Frisco planning department for the latest Texas ADU parking rules, as many states have relaxed requirements in recent years.
How long does it take to get an ADU permit in Frisco?
Frisco does not publish a standard ADU review timeline — confirm with Frisco Plans & Permits (972-292-5301) — no published review timeline for a Garage Apartment or Guest House was found in a city source. Permit fees: Frisco publishes a Permit Fee Schedule on its Residential Permits page, but the document is served behind a bot check and could not be read — Confirm current building permit and plan review amounts with Frisco Plans & Permits (972-292-5301).
Ready to Build in Frisco?
Get free, no-obligation quotes from top-rated ADU contractors in Frisco.
Get Free Quotes →Build ADUs in Frisco?
Homeowners read this page while planning, then ask us to connect them with a local builder. We pass those requests to builders who cover Frisco — a flat fee only on the leads you accept, no subscription, and you contract directly with the homeowner.
See who's waiting in Texas →