ADU Rules in Wichita Falls, Texas

Overview

Wichita Falls is a Wichita County city of approximately 105,000 people in north Texas, situated near the Red River and the Texas-Oklahoma border. The city is the regional center for a broad agricultural and oil-producing area. Sheppard Air Force Base — the US Air Force's largest training installation and a NATO pilot training center — is the dominant economic driver alongside regional healthcare, retail, and education.

Texas has no statewide ADU preemption law — local zoning governs. Wichita Falls' zoning ordinance is the primary regulatory document. The Sheppard AFB AICUZ is the critical special overlay for ADU planning in many parts of the city.

Sheppard AFB AICUZ: Critical Overlay

Sheppard Air Force Base trains thousands of pilots annually — including NATO allied pilots — generating intensive and sustained aircraft noise over portions of Wichita Falls, particularly to the north and northeast of the city. The AICUZ establishes:

Noise Contour Zones

• 65–70 dB DNL: Noise-affected; residential construction discouraged; sound attenuation required for new residential structures; disclosure recommended at property sale
• 70–75 dB DNL: High noise; new residential construction strongly discouraged; ADUs may be prohibited in some subzones
• 75+ dB DNL: Severe noise; new residential construction including ADUs generally prohibited under USAF/DoD compatibility guidelines

Accident Potential Zones (APZ)

• Clear Zone: Immediately adjacent to runway ends; no development of any kind permitted
• APZ I: High accident potential; residential uses including ADUs are generally incompatible per DoD guidelines
• APZ II: Reduced accident potential; residential density restrictions apply

Northern and northeastern Wichita Falls residential neighborhoods are most likely to fall within AICUZ noise contours or APZ zones. The City of Wichita Falls incorporates AICUZ overlay designations into its zoning map.

Always verify your parcel's AICUZ status with the Wichita Falls Planning Department before planning an ADU.

Joint Land Use Study (JLUS)

Wichita County and the City of Wichita Falls participate in a Joint Land Use Study for Sheppard AFB that recommends compatible land use policies around the installation. The JLUS guides zoning decisions near the base.

Zoning Ordinance: ADU Provisions Outside AICUZ Zones

Outside of AICUZ-restricted areas, Wichita Falls' zoning ordinance governs ADUs in single-family residential districts. Typical provisions:

• Detached accessory dwellings: Garage apartments, guest houses permitted in qualifying districts with sufficient lot area
• Attached secondary units: Permitted as additions or internal conversions in some residential districts
• Minimum lot size: A qualifying lot area threshold required before an ADU is permitted
• Maximum ADU size: Typically a percentage of primary dwelling floor area or a fixed cap
• Setbacks: Rear and side setbacks approximately 5 ft for accessory structures
• Height: One to one-and-a-half stories for most detached accessory structures

Tornado Alley: Wind Hazard Considerations

Wichita Falls is in the heart of Tornado Alley. The April 10, 1979 "Terrible Tuesday" F4 tornado killed 42 people and destroyed or severely damaged approximately 20,000 structures — one of the most destructive tornadoes in Texas history. Key construction considerations for ADUs:

• Texas Building Code wind requirements: New construction must meet minimum wind speed design criteria for the north Texas region
• Enhanced wind resistance: Consider exceeding code minimums with framing, sheathing, and roof attachment specifications designed for high-wind events
• Storm shelter planning: Consider incorporating a safe room or storm shelter — particularly important for detached ADUs, which are more vulnerable than attached structures
• Roof design: Hip roof configurations generally perform better in high-wind events than gable roofs

Flood Considerations

Wichita Falls has FEMA-mapped floodplains associated with the Wichita River and its tributaries, including Holliday Creek and other local drainageways. Check msc.fema.gov for your parcel's flood zone designation before planning an ADU.

Permit Process

1. Verify zoning district and AICUZ overlay status with Wichita Falls Planning & Development
2. If in AICUZ zone, confirm ADU compatibility before proceeding
3. Check FEMA flood zone status at msc.fema.gov
4. Prepare site plan, floor plans, and elevations
5. Submit building permit application to Wichita Falls Building Inspections
6. Pay fees; schedule inspections through certificate of occupancy

Contact

• Wichita Falls Planning & Development: wichitafallstx.gov/278/Planning-Development | 940-761-7453
• Wichita Falls Building Inspections: wichitafallstx.gov | 940-761-7430
• Sheppard AFB Public Affairs (AICUZ): sheppard.af.mil
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center: msc.fema.gov

Disclaimer: AICUZ boundaries, tornado risk, and zoning regulations are subject to change. This page reflects general guidance as of the date noted. Given the significant impact of the Sheppard AFB AICUZ on portions of Wichita Falls, always verify your parcel's overlay status directly with the City of Wichita Falls Planning Department before investing in ADU design or construction.