ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Pasadena, TX
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Pasadena.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | No size threshold in the code |
| Fee | New one- and two-family residential construction charged at $0.20 per square foot covered by roof; no permit is less than a $50 minimum (Sec. 9-60). |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2 Work exempt from permit (Sec. 9-63); a new dwelling unit is not exempt |
| Based on | 2024 IRC as amended (Pasadena Ord. No. 25-198) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Pasadena 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.
If you skip it
Pasadena'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pasadena | — | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| League City | 12 mi | Yes | construction of a new accessory dwelling unit (a new one-… |
| Pearland | 12 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Sugar Land | 29 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Conroe | 51 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| College Station | 94 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in Pasadena
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Pasadena?
New one- and two-family residential construction charged at $0.20 per square foot covered by roof; no permit is less than a $50 minimum (Sec. 9-60).. 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?
Pasadena 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.