Austin’s additional-dwelling-unit guidance separates the application review from later permit activation. The application route also has a local inactivity rule that matters after a permit is active. These steps describe Austin’s process; they do not determine whether a particular property qualifies or how long a project will take.
Prepare and submit the application
Check the City’s current ADU eligibility information and address requirements before filing. Austin says a new unit needs a unique address or building number before the residential building-permit application is submitted. The City routes the work through its Residential New Construction and Addition Building Permit Application. Resolve any expired building or trade permits shown in the property’s permit history before applying for residential plan review.
Residential Intake checks whether the required documents are present. After that intake check, the City contacts the named applicant with a plan-review fee invoice. Review begins after the invoiced plan-review fee is paid through Austin Build + Connect. The amount depends on the property and work scope, and additional plan-review charges may apply. This first payment is separate from building and trade permit fees.
If reviewers issue a Master Comment Report, respond with the requested corrections and submit the full plan set. Austin’s residential review guidance says an invoice may accompany the Master Comment Report for the second or a later update. A Preliminary Plan Review is also available before permit submission; it can identify questions for the construction plans but does not guarantee approval.
Activate permits before construction
After the application is approved, Austin generates pending building and related trade permits. Contractors must pay the permit fees and activate those permits before construction begins. The City determines those permit fees at this later stage, so do not combine them with the earlier plan-review invoice when budgeting.
Keep the active permit status visible during construction. Austin says an active permit expires on its 181st day if no inspection has been scheduled or received. An inspection extends the expiration date by 180 days. A canceled inspection or an inspection recorded as failed or no work performed does not extend the date. Check the permit record for its actual status and date; the general rule does not replace the terms of a particular permit.
Schedule required inspections as work proceeds. A passing final building inspection closes the permit as final, after which the building inspector issues the Certificate of Occupancy. Keep that record with the approved permit and plans.
Confirm project-specific requirements
Austin does not publish one ADU fee total or review duration for every project in these guides. Confirm the current checklist, exact building and trade permits, applicable fees, inspection sequence, and any property-specific conditions with the City. For general preparation and closeout questions, see plans, inspections, and completion documents.