Pre-Submission Review · Free

ADU Plan Check

Fort Worth, TX

ADUs are one of the fastest-growing housing types in the country — but every city has different rules for setbacks, size limits, and parking. State laws increasingly require cities to approve compliant ADUs ministerially, but you still need to meet local zoning requirements for the primary structure and overall site. A single code miss can delay your permit by weeks.

  • Check ADU setbacks for your city's specific zone requirements
  • Verify max size limits based on your lot and primary dwelling
  • Confirm parking requirements and potential transit exemptions
  • Catch height, coverage, and FAR issues before plan check

Project Location

Building Dimensions

Setbacks

Coverage & Parking

Additional Notes

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Fort Worth: What You Need to Know

Texas has no statewide ADU law — ADU rules are set entirely at the city level. Fort Worth's local zoning code determines whether ADUs are permitted, and under what conditions (lot size minimums, owner occupancy requirements, size limits, and parking). Some Texas cities have progressive ADU policies, while others effectively prohibit them.

Common issues that delay ADU permits in Fort Worth:

  • Zoning district restrictions — ADUs may only be allowed in certain residential zones. Verify your property's zoning designation allows accessory dwelling units before designing.
  • Setback requirements — Accessory structure setbacks vary by zone and may differ from the primary structure. Check both the city code and any deed restrictions or HOA requirements.
  • Size and height limits — Fort Worth likely caps ADU size (often 800–1,100 sqft) and height. Exceeding these limits triggers denial without a variance.
  • Parking requirements — Most Texas cities require at least one off-street parking space for an ADU. Some zones require covered or enclosed parking.
  • Deed restrictions and HOAs — Even if Fort Worth's code allows ADUs, private deed restrictions or HOA covenants may prohibit them. This is especially common in newer Texas subdivisions.

Use the form above to check your ADU project against Fort Worth's building codes. We verify setbacks, height, lot coverage, and parking requirements before you submit.

How Plan Check Works in Fort Worth

01

Enter your project details

Fill in the form above with your lot size, setbacks, building height, and other dimensions — the same numbers on your architectural plans.

02

We check against Fort Worth codes

Your project is compared against Fort Worth's specific zoning requirements — setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, parking ratios, and FAR limits for your zone.

03

Get a prioritized report

Critical violations, warnings, and advisory items — ranked by what a Fort Worth plan checker will flag first. Fix issues before you submit and save weeks of correction cycles.

Fort Worth Zone Requirements

Zone Front Side Rear Height Coverage
A-10 — One-Family Residential 25' 8' 25' 35' 40%
A-5 — One-Family Residential 20' 5' 20' 35' 50%
A-7.5 — One-Family Residential 25' 6' 20' 35' 45%

Frequently Asked Questions

What setbacks does Fort Worth require for accessory dwelling unit (adu) projects? +

Fort Worth requires a 25' front setback, 8' side setback, and 25' rear setback in the most common residential zone. Specific requirements vary by zone — enter your zone code above for exact numbers.

How long does Fort Worth plan review take? +

Initial plan review in Fort Worth typically takes 4-8 weeks. If corrections are required, each resubmission adds another 2-4 weeks. Running a pre-check before submitting can eliminate the most common correction items and save one or more review cycles.

What is the maximum building height in Fort Worth? +

The most common residential zone in Fort Worth allows a maximum height of 35 feet. Height measurement methods vary — some cities measure to the highest ridge, others to the midpoint of the roof. Check the specific zone requirements for your property.

Is this plan check tool free? +

Yes. Create a free account to run unlimited plan checks against Fort Worth's building codes. The tool checks setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, parking requirements, and flags common issues that Fort Worth plan reviewers look for.

What are the most common adu plan check corrections in Fort Worth? +

The most frequently flagged items in Fort Worth include: No statewide ADU law; IBC/IRC with local amendments; High property tax rate. Our tool checks for all of these automatically.