Austin Unrelated Persons Regulations

[Dakota Mivshek]

Hi there - 

Been thinking about ATX for some time now and I wanted to see if any one could dumb down the unrelated persons law for me in Austin, TX. Below is copy and pasted directly from the city site. SO - six people is the overarching rule, but below that layer is many more rules. For example, could you rent out a 6 bedroom home in North Loop to 6 unrelated peoples? A SF zoned area?

Also, as a bonus, anyone know if you need a permit to add an air pressurized wall to increase the # of bedrooms in ATX?

§ 25-2-511 - DWELLING UNIT OCCUPANCY LIMIT.

(A)

In this section:

(1)

ADULT means a person 18 years of age or older.

(2)

DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP means adults living in the same household and sharing common resources of life in a close, personal, and intimate relationship.

(3)

UNRELATED means not connected by consanguinity, marriage, domestic partnership or adoption.

(B)

Except as otherwise provided in this section, not more than six unrelated adults may reside in a dwelling unit.

(C)

The regulations in Subsection (D) apply in the area defined in Subchapter F: Residential Design and Compatibility Standards Section 1.2.1.

(D)

Except as provided in Subsection (E), for a conservation single family residential, single family attached residential, single family residential, small lot single family, duplex residential use, or two-family residential use, not more than four unrelated adults may reside on a site, in the following zoning districts:

(1)

Lake Austin Residence District (LA) Zoning District;

(2)

Rural Residence District (RR) Zoning District;

(3)

Single Family Residence Large Lot (SF-1) Zoning District;

(4)

Single Family Residence Standard Lot (SF-2) Zoning District;

(5)

Family Residence (SF-3) Zoning District;

(6)

Single Family Residence Small Lot (SF-4A) Zoning District;

(7)

Single Family Residence Condominium (SF-4B) Zoning District;

(8)

Urban Family Residence (SF-5) Zoning District; and

(9)

Townhouse and Condominium Residence (SF-6) Zoning District.

(E)

The requirements of Subsection (D) of this section do not apply if:

(1)

before March 31, 2014:

(a)

a building permit for the dwelling unit was issued; or

(b)

the use was established; and

(2)

after March 31, 2014:

(a)

the gross floor area does not increase more than 69 square feet, except to complete construction authorized before March 31, 2014 or to comply with the American with Disabilities Act, or

(b)

any interior remodel that requires a building permit does not result in additional sleeping rooms.