ADU Rules in Arlington, Texas

Overview

Arlington is a major city in Tarrant County, situated midway between Dallas and Fort Worth in the heart of the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. Known as the home of AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys) and Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers), Arlington is a large suburban city with approximately 400,000 residents. It is one of the largest US cities without a fixed-route public transit system connecting to the regional rail network.

As a home rule charter city, Arlington governs ADU construction through its local Zoning Ordinance. Texas has no statewide ADU preemption law, so local zoning fully governs.

Zoning Districts and ADU Allowances

Arlington's Zoning Ordinance establishes various single-family residential districts that cover most of the city's residential land area. These districts generally include:

• SF-6, SF-8, SF-10, SF-15 (single-family districts with varying minimum lot sizes): ADUs are permitted as accessory uses to the primary single-family dwelling in applicable districts
• ADUs are typically classified as "accessory dwelling units" and must be subordinate in size and character to the primary residence
• Detached ADUs must be located on the same lot as the primary dwelling
• Planned Development (PD) districts require review of PD conditions for ADU allowances

Development Standards

Typical ADU development standards in Arlington:

• Maximum size: ADUs must be subordinate to the primary dwelling; specific size caps vary by district; verify with Development Services
• Height: Detached accessory structures generally limited to one story or approximately 20–25 ft
• Rear setback: 5 ft minimum from rear property line
• Side setback: 5 ft minimum from side property line
• Front placement: ADUs must be located behind the primary dwelling's front building line
• Lot coverage: Maximum total lot coverage applies; typical single-family districts cap coverage at 40–50%
• Parking: Off-street parking requirements apply; given Arlington's auto-dependent character, parking adequacy is particularly important

Transportation Context: No Regional Rail Access

Arlington's lack of commuter rail or light rail connection to the broader DFW regional transit network has implications for ADU planning. Unlike Dallas (DART) or Fort Worth (TEXRail/Trinity Metro), Arlington ADU residents are entirely dependent on automobiles. This makes:

• Adequate on-site parking critical for ADU marketability
• Proximity to major arterials (I-20, I-30, SR-360) important for resident access
• Rideshare services the primary alternative to car ownership

Trinity River Corridor

The West Fork of the Trinity River passes through southern Arlington, and portions of the city are within FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas. The Trinity River Vision project has ongoing flood control improvements in the area. Properties near the Trinity River should verify flood zone status before planning ADU construction. A floodplain development permit from the City of Arlington is required for construction in regulated floodplains.

Entertainment District Considerations

The AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field area (Arlington Entertainment District) is primarily commercial and does not directly affect residential ADU development. However, traffic and parking impacts from major events can affect the surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Permit Process

1. Verify your zoning district at arlingtontx.gov — use the online GIS map or contact Planning and Development Services
2. Confirm ADU allowance and specific development standards for your district
3. Check for floodplain overlay using FEMA's Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov)
4. Prepare site plan and construction documents
5. Submit building permit application to Arlington Development Services
6. Plan review for zoning and building code compliance
7. Inspections at foundation, framing, rough-in systems, and final

Contact

• Arlington Planning and Development Services: arlingtontx.gov/planning | 817-459-6502
• Arlington Building Inspections: arlingtontx.gov/buildinginspections | 817-459-6502
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center: msc.fema.gov

Disclaimer: Arlington ADU regulations are subject to change. This page provides general guidance only. Always verify current rules with the City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Department and consult a licensed Texas professional before proceeding.