ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Waco, TX
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Waco.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | No size threshold in the code |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 28-970.5.3 (ADU design and development standards) |
| Based on | IRC 2024 as adopted (Waco Code sec. 6-26, 6-29); Waco Zoning Ch. 28 Art. V Div. 9 (Accessory Dwelling Units) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Waco 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
Waco'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waco | — | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Killeen | 46 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Round Rock | 77 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| College Station | 86 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Mesquite | 90 mi | Yes | New accessory dwelling unit; also requires a Conditional … |
| Austin | 93 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in Waco
Questions people ask
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Waco 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.