Whether you call them granny flats, backyard cottages or garage apartments, Austin leaders made it easier for you to build one.
On Thursday, city council relaxed restrictions for granny flats and garage apartments.
New rules allow homeowners who with an SF-3 zoning to build a secondary home on their property.
That includes about 9,000 properties citywide.
The maximum size of the accessory dwelling units grew to 1,100 square feet.
Units within a quarter-mile of a transit route are no longer required to provide parking.
“Council has shown that they care more about housing people than storing cars. We are really excited that they do that. We can have a city where you don’t have to have a car to get around,” said Eric Goff, Housing Advocate.
Not everyone is allowed to build a granny flat under the new rules.
To find out if your home is zoned SF-3, visit http://www.austintexas.gov/GIS/ZoningProfile/