ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Midland, TX
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Midland.
Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory dwelling unit needs a building permit. A new dwelling unit is new construction under R105.1, and none of the R105.2 exemptions (detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft, etc.) cover a habitable dwelling unit. Midland's zoning also regulates ADUs directly (Sec. 11-1-4.09), requiring a scaled site plan showing the principal dwelling and the proposed ADU, so a permit and site-plan review apply on top of the building permit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Fee | The code does not print a dollar amount; fees are set in the current adopted Fee Schedule (R108.2). |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.1 (construct a building); zoning Sec. 11-1-4.09 Accessory Buildings and Uses |
| Based on | 2018 IRC as adopted by City of Midland (Sec. 4-11-2); zoning Sec. 11-1-4.09 |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Midland 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
Midland'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland | — | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Abilene | 142 mi | Yes | Construction of a new accessory dwelling unit (garage apa… |
| Amarillo | 220 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| El Paso | 253 mi | Yes | An accessory dwelling unit is a new dwelling unit in an a… |
| Killeen | 266 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| San Antonio | 277 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
Other work in Midland
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Midland?
The code does not print a dollar amount; fees are set in the current adopted Fee Schedule (R108.2).. 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?
Midland 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.