Bill may limit cities’ control over ADUs

Irving—The first day legislation could be filed for the 89th Texas Legislative Session more than 1,400 bills and joint resolutions were filed. As expected, those bills included efforts to nullify city regulations regarding land use, particularly the number of units allowed per acre. One bill of interest to the city of Irving is House Bill (HB) 878. 

As filed, HB 878 would prevent cities from prohibiting accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on lots zoned for a single-family home or duplex, and limiting control of building mass, setbacks and height among other things. Texas cities could not require parking or charge any additional fee if an ADU is added to an existing lot. The minimum residential lot requirement would be capped at 2,500 square feet, with a width of 16 feet and a depth of 30 feet. 

City advocates anticipate the filing of many more restrictions on city regulatory authority between now and the mid-March 2025 filing deadline. The flurry of bills filed on the first day is not unusual, though the number of bills filed overall grows every Legislative Session. 

SOURCE City of Irving