What's the total ADU permit fee in Austin?

Total Austin ADU permit fees in 2026 run roughly $6,600–$14,500 depending on size, type, and any utility hookups required.

How long does Austin ADU permit review take?

Standard Austin ADU plan review takes 6–16 weeks. Pre-approved plans and complete submittals can shorten that significantly.

What fees are NOT included in the base Austin permit cost?

Utility connection fees (water, sewer, electric), school impact fees, drainage and fire-line upgrades, and any private-engineering studies typically add 30–60% to the base permit number.

Can I get my Austin ADU permit fees reduced or waived?

Some jurisdictions offer fee reductions for deed-restricted affordable ADUs, JADUs under 500 sq ft, or projects using pre-approved plans. Check Austin's current ADU ordinance for available waivers.

ADUCosts

Austin, TX

Austin ADU Permit Fee Calculator (2026)

Name: aduglossary.com — Austin TX ADU Resources
Price range: $

Instant fee breakdown for Austin, Texas. Total range: $6,600–$14,500.

Austin, Texas ADU Permit Fees

Total estimated range: $6,600–$14,500

Plan Check

$600–$1,500

Building Permit

$1,000–$3,000

Impact Fees

$3,000–$10,000

School Fees

N/A

Utility Hookups

$2,000–$5,000

Source: City permitting schedules and FeeBuilder surveys, updated April 2026.

Austin permit process at a glance

Permitting office: Austin Development Services Department

Typical plan review: 12-22 weeks

Austin's HOME (Home Options for Middle-income Empowerment) ordinance in 2023 reduced minimum lot size to 5,750 sq ft and now allows up to three units per lot. Austin Energy Green Building participation is functionally required for new construction and adds modest cost. The bigger wildcards are the Watershed Protection Ordinance (drainage and impervious-cover limits — many close-in lots are already at the impervious-cover cap) and the city's slow plan review path, which has run 12-22 weeks for most of 2024-2026.

Sample real-world fee example

Scenario: 700 sq ft detached ADU on a typical Austin lot

Plan check (mid)	$800
Building permit (mid)	$1,300
Utility connection (low end)	$2,000
Misc fees (records, inspections)	$1,500
TOTAL (rough mid example)	~$5,100

Common Austin ADU permit mistakes

Missing the Watershed Protection Ordinance impervious-cover analysis at intake — close-in Bouldin/Travis Heights lots are often near the 45% cap already.
Skipping Austin Energy Green Building submittal documents.
Not budgeting for the slow Development Services queue — 12-22 weeks has been the norm through 2024-2026.
Forgetting the HOME ordinance multi-unit path — many homeowners build one unit when up to three are now allowed.

How Austin compares nearby

City	Total fee range	Link
Austin	$6,600–$14,500	(this page)
Denver	$6,300–$11,500	View →
Raleigh	$5,300–$11,700	View →

Full Austin cost guide ROI calculator Compare all 18 cities

Ready to Start Your ADU Project?

Join hundreds of homeowners who used our guides to navigate their ADU build successfully.

✓ Free comprehensive guide ✓ Vetted contractor list ✓ No credit card needed