Zoning & Size Limits
| Requirement | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX |
|---|
| Allowed Zones | Single-family residential — but ADUs are generally NOT by-ri | One-family residential districts ('A-5', 'A-7.5', 'A-10', 'A |
| Max Size (Detached) | 800 sq ft (Dallas caps ADUs at 800 sq ft) | 1,000 sq ft |
| Max Size (Attached) | Greater of 700 sq ft or 25% of the main dwelling's floor area (Dallas City Code §51A-4.510) | Limited by the district's floor-area and lot-coverage rules |
| Max Height | 35 feet | May not exceed the height of the primary residence |
| Parking Required | Confirm with Dallas Planning & Development — an additional o | Off-street parking per district standards (confirm with Deve |
| Owner Occupancy | Required — either the primary dwelling or the ADU must be ow | Effectively required — an ADU may not be a separate independ |
Setback Requirements
| Setback | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX |
|---|
| Rear Setback | 15 feet | Must meet the rear setback of the underlying district (commonly 5–10 ft for accessory structures) |
| Side Setback | 5 feet | Must meet the side setback of the underlying district (commonly 5 ft) |
| Front Setback | 20 feet | Must be behind the front building line of the prim |
Permits & Timeline
| Detail | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX |
|---|
| Permit Timeline | 50-75 days | About 4–9 weeks from complete application to permit issuance (confirm current queue with Development Services) |
| Permit Fees | $2,200-$3,800 | $2,400-$4,000 (building permit + plan review; varies with valuation and square footage) |
| Impact Fees | $900-$1,600 | $1,000-$1,800 typical water/sewer connection charges (confir |
| Pre-Approved Plans | Available for detached ADUs | No formal pre-approved ADU plan set; standard plan |
Construction Costs
| Cost | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX |
|---|
| Avg Build Cost | $115,000-$230,000 | $120,000-$240,000 |
| Cost Per Sq Ft | $130-$250 | $120-$240 |
| Garage Conversion | $55,000-$135,000 | $55,000-$135,000 |
| Prefab ADU | $80,000-$185,000 | $85,000-$195,000 |
Rental Income Potential
| Rental | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX |
|---|
| 1BR Avg Rent | $1,150-$1,700/mo | $1,100-$1,650/mo |
| 2BR Avg Rent | $1,450-$2,200/mo | $1,400-$2,100/mo |
| Short-Term Rentals | Not permitted in most areas | Restricted in most areas |
| Est. ROI | 6-8% annual return | 6-9% annual return |
Which City Is Better for ADUs?
Dallas scores 6/10 while Fort Worth scores 5/10 on our ADU-friendliness index.
Dallas edges ahead overall. Both cities offer viable ADU development opportunities — the best choice depends on your specific property, budget, and goals.
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