ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Amarillo, TX
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Amarillo.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | No size threshold in the code |
| Fee | Building permit fee per residential dwelling value-based table (Sec. 4-1-21); this fee already includes the associated electrical, HVAC and plumbing permits for the project. Dollar amounts not shown in this material. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | [A]105.1 |
| Based on | IRC 2021 as adopted and amended by City of Amarillo (Ch. 4-3); IBC 2021 [A]105 as amended |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Amarillo building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Amarillo's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo | — | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Midland | 220 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Abilene | 224 mi | Yes | Construction of a new accessory dwelling unit (garage apa… |
| Denton | 301 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Lewisville | 315 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| McKinney | 326 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in Amarillo
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Amarillo?
Building permit fee per residential dwelling value-based table (Sec. 4-1-21); this fee already includes the associated electrical, HVAC and plumbing permits for the project. Dollar amounts not shown in this material.. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Amarillo can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.