ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in El Paso, TX
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in El Paso.
An accessory dwelling unit is a new dwelling unit in an accessory building, so it needs a building permit and must meet the ADU zoning rules (owner-occupancy of the principal or accessory unit is required). The storage-building exemption (under 200 sq ft) does not apply because an ADU is habitable living quarters, not storage.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | An accessory dwelling unit is a new dwelling unit in an a… |
| Fee | You pay the established building permit fee under the 18.02.106 schedule; water and wastewater impact fees also apply per 15.22.140 and vary by service area. The ordinance does not print a single dollar amount. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | 20.10.035 Accessory dwelling unit (ADU); building permit under IRC R105 for the new dwelling unit |
| Based on | IRC 2021 as adopted and amended by the city (Ord. No. 019528) + Title 20 Zoning |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the El Paso 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
El Paso'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso | — | Yes | An accessory dwelling unit is a new dwelling unit in an a… |
| Douglas | 186 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Midland | 253 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Gilbert | 325 mi | Yes | Plan on a building permit (plus electrical, plumbing, and… |
| Mesa | 326 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (a casita, garage apa… |
| Chandler | 331 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (a casita, garage apa… |
Other work in El Paso
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in El Paso?
You pay the established building permit fee under the 18.02.106 schedule; water and wastewater impact fees also apply per 15.22.140 and vary by service area. The ordinance does not print a single dollar amount.. 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?
El Paso 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.