ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in League City, TX
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in League City.
construction of a new accessory dwelling unit (a new one-/two-family dwelling structure)
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | construction of a new accessory dwelling unit (a new one-… |
| Fee | Building permit, plan review and inspection fees per the buildings and building regulations fee schedule (Sec. 22-7). No numeric amounts in code. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 22-15 (IRC adopted, incl. permits); IRC R105.1 |
| Based on | IRC 2021 as amended |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the League City 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
Building without a permit is a misdemeanor; each day is a separate offense (Sec. 22-10).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| League City | — | Yes | construction of a new accessory dwelling unit (a new one-… |
| Pasadena | 12 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Pearland | 14 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Sugar Land | 32 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Conroe | 62 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| College Station | 104 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in League City
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in League City?
Building permit, plan review and inspection fees per the buildings and building regulations fee schedule (Sec. 22-7). No numeric amounts in code.. 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?
League City 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.