Midland ADU Permits & Fees - City Rules

Housing and Building Standards Texas 3 Minutes Read · published February 21, 2026 Flag of Texas

Midland, Texas property owners considering an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) must follow local building and zoning requirements administered by the City of Midland. This guide explains permit pathways, typical fees as published by city departments, enforcement and appeals, and practical steps to apply for an ADU. It references the city municipal code and the Community Development departments to show where to find official rules and forms.[1]

Overview: ADUs and Midland Rules

An ADU is a secondary dwelling unit on the same lot as a primary residence. In Midland, requirements that affect ADU projects include zoning district allowances, lot coverage, setbacks, parking, and building code compliance. Applicants should confirm zoning allowances and any overlay or historic district restrictions with the Planning Division before design work begins.[3]

Confirm zoning allowances with Planning before preparing drawings.

Pre-application Checklist

  • Site plan showing lot lines, existing structures, proposed ADU location, and setbacks.
  • Preliminary floor plan and elevations compliant with International Residential Code (IRC) or International Building Code (IBC) as required.
  • Zoning verification or letter from Planning confirming ADU is permitted in the zoning district.
  • Estimate of permit fees and impact fees, if any; request fee schedule from Building Services.[2]

Applications & Forms

The typical application path uses the City of Midland building permit and planning review process. Specific forms commonly required include the building permit application and any separate zoning or site plan application. The city posts permit applications and instructions on the Building Services or Community Development pages; if a published ADU-specific checklist exists it will be listed there.[2]

If no ADU-specific form is listed, submit a standard residential building permit with required attachments.

Plan Review, Inspections & Timelines

  • Plan review timeframe: varies by workload; contact Building Services for current estimates.
  • Inspections required: foundation, framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, final.
  • Scheduling inspections and checking plan status through the city portal or Building Services desk.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of ADU and building rules is performed by the City of Midland Building Services and Code Enforcement as authorized by the municipal code. Where the municipal code or department pages specify penalties or remedies, those provisions control; where amounts or ranges are not published on the cited pages this guide notes that fact and points to the controlling pages for verification.[1]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited municipal code page for ADU-specific fines; see the municipal code and Building Services for applicable penalty provisions.[1]
  • Escalation: first offence, repeat, and continuing offence procedures are defined in the code or enforcement policies; specific dollar ranges are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary remedies: stop-work orders, orders to remove illegal structures, permit revocation, and civil actions are available under city authority.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: Building Services and Code Enforcement handle inspections, complaints, and orders; contact the Community Development office for reporting noncompliance.[2]
  • Appeals and review: the municipal code and department procedures describe appeal routes and required time limits; where the cited page does not state a numeric time limit this guide notes "not specified on the cited page."
Document every submission and inspection request to preserve appeal rights.

Common Violations

  • Building without a permit — typical consequence: stop-work order and required permit plus penalties (amounts not specified on the cited page).
  • Encroaching setbacks or exceeding lot coverage — likely order to remedy or remove.
  • Failure to provide required parking or utilities — possible citation or denial of final inspection/occupancy.

How-To

  1. Confirm your property zoning and ADU allowance with Planning; request zoning verification.[3]
  2. Prepare site plan, floor plans, and structural details per the applicable building code.
  3. Submit a building permit application with required supporting documents to Building Services and pay the applicable fees identified by the department.[2]
  4. Respond to plan review comments, schedule inspections, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval/occupancy.

FAQ

Do I need a permit for an ADU in Midland?
Yes. A building permit is required for new dwelling units and many conversions; confirm zoning before applying.[3]
How much will permits and fees cost?
Permit fee amounts vary by project scope and are listed by Building Services when you apply; specific ADU fee numbers are not specified on the cited page.[2]
Who enforces ADU rules and how do I report noncompliance?
Building Services and Code Enforcement enforce regulations; contact Community Development to report suspected violations.[2]

Key Takeaways

  • Always verify zoning before design work.
  • Submit complete plans to reduce review cycles.
  • Contact Building Services early for fee estimates and timelines.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Midland Municipal Code - Ordinances and regulations
  2. [2] City of Midland Building Services - Permits and applications
  3. [3] City of Midland Planning Division - Zoning and development

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