ADU Design Resource · The Colony, TX
The Complete Guide to
Building an ADU in The Colony, TX
Everything The Colony homeowners need to plan, permit, and profit from an ADU — including current 2026 zoning rules, real construction costs, neighborhood ROI data, and verified local lenders.
Created by Build With A Plan · Permit-ready drawings (more below)
Quick Answers About The Colony, TX ADUs
Market Context
The Colony has a median home value of $400,000. Adding an ADU typically increases that by 25% — approximately $100,000 in added equity. A 1-bedroom ADU in The Colony rents for approximately $1,524/month in the Denton County rental market , yielding a 3.3% cap rate on the investment. Occupancy averages 94% in this market.
Top The Colony neighborhoods for ADU investment include Stewart Peninsula, The Tribute, Legend Crest, Legend Bend, Castle Hills. Waterfront master-planned community of large single-family homes with mature lots ideal for detached ADUs and proximity to Lewisville Lake recreation that fuels strong rental demand. Luxury master-planned golf community with very large homes on generous lots near the Grandscape job hub that creates premium renter demand.
Permit Process
Permit applications are reviewed by the Building Inspections Department . Permit fees in The Colony range from $1,000 to $2,500 depending on project scope. Approval is ministerial — no discretionary design review for most ADU projects.
Most lots in The Colony sit inside strict HOA-controlled subdivisions tied to the original master developer agreements, and several of these HOAs have architectural control committees that require separate approval before the city will even look at your permit — a step generic ADU guides never mention. Since STRs aren't allowed here, plan reviewers at the Building Inspections Department will also cross-check your application against the property's use type, so labeling the unit as a "guest suite" or "casita" rather than a rental unit on your plans can prevent a rejection loop. Denton County utility providers (often Coserv or Oncor depending on your section of the city) frequently require a separate service upgrade application for the ADU's electrical meter, which can add a few weeks if your existing panel is near capacity.
"In my experience, when a permit timeline shows up blank and cost-per-square-foot is missing, it usually means the data you're looking at is a generic state-level placeholder rather than anything specific to The Colony — I'd call the Building Inspections Department directly before penciling in a schedule or budget. With HOA coverage at 56% here, don't underestimate that layer either; I've seen HOA architectural review add just as much delay as the city's own plan check."
11 years in residential permitting and ADU documentation across California, Texas, Florida, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Colorado. This guide was researched and verified against The Colony's building department records and current 2026 Texas's local zoning ordinances.
Property Eligibility
Is My The Colony, TX Property Eligible for an ADU?
The Colony homeowners are governed by Texas's local zoning ordinances — Texas has no statewide ADU-approval law. Here's what applies to your property before you start designing.
Single-Family Home
Permitted on single-family lots in The Colony under Texas's local zoning ordinances — Texas has no statewide ADU-approval law. No owner-occupancy requirement in The Colony — you can rent both units as investment properties. Review process and timelines are set entirely by local ordinance — confirm the current process with the Building Inspections Department before designing.
Multi-Family Property
Additional ADUs on multi-family and duplex lots may qualify under Texas's local zoning ordinances — Texas has no statewide ADU-approval law — the exact number and type allowed depends on The Colony's local rules. Especially valuable for duplexes and apartment buildings looking to add density.
HOA-Governed Properties
Approximately 56% of The Colony homes are in an HOA. Texas has no statute limiting HOA power over ADUs — HOAs can restrict or ban ADUs and short-term rentals through their covenants (Texas Property Code Ch. 202/204/209). Our drawings include HOA submission formatting.
Always verify eligibility with Building Inspections Department before designing.
Free — No Obligation
Will The Colony Approve an ADU on Your Lot?
Send us the address and we’ll check it against The Colony’s current zoning, setbacks, and lot-coverage rules — then tell you honestly whether to proceed. Free, and no payment is taken unless your property qualifies.
- ✓Lot qualification against current The Colony code
- ✓Your buildable envelope — setbacks and maximum footprint
- ✓Realistic rental income and payback estimate
- ✓Financing pathways you’d likely qualify for
- ✓A straight GO / NO-GO answer within 48 hours
Check My Property — Free
Takes 60 seconds. We'll deliver your personalized report within 48 hours.
Request Received
Your feasibility report is being prepared. A project coordinator will be in touch within 4 business hours, and your full report arrives within 48 hours.
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The Colony ADU Return Calculator — Built With 2026 Local Data
Pre-loaded with verified The Colony construction costs, median rental rates, and property value uplift data. Adjust the inputs to model your specific project.
Your Project
Projected Returns
* Estimates only. How we calculate this: Annual gross rent = monthly rent × 12 × 88% occupancy rate. Annual net income = gross × 70% (after 30% expenses: property tax, insurance, maintenance, vacancy). Value added = median home value × 25% uplift (regional ADU comparables). Total return = net income × years + value added. Break-even = total build cost ÷ annual net income. Consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Data sources: Building Inspections Department (source ↗), Zillow Rental Market Reports, and public state/local housing data. Last verified: 2026-08-15.
Local Market Data
Top The Colony Neighborhoods for ADU Investment
Stewart Peninsula
Waterfront master-planned community of large single-family homes with mature lots ideal for detached ADUs and proximity to Lewisville Lake recreation that fuels strong rental demand.
The Tribute
Luxury master-planned golf community with very large homes on generous lots near the Grandscape job hub that creates premium renter demand.
Legend Crest
Well-established Legends pocket of large single-family homes on sizeable lots, with an easy commute to Frisco/Plano job centers driving strong long-term rental demand.
Legend Bend
Established Legends subdivision with large detached single-family homes and big yards that comfortably accommodate detached ADUs for multigenerational or rental use.
Castle Hills
Dense single-family pocket near the Sam Rayburn Tollway with large lots and quick access to Frisco/Plano corporate job hubs that sustain rental demand.
Ridgepointe
Family-friendly, well-maintained single-family neighborhood with sizable lots that can host detached ADUs, close to schools, parks, and The Colony ER Hospital.
Northpointe
All-single-family subdivision with generous lot sizes near Grandscape and the Toyota/Stonebriar employment corridor, making it a strong candidate for ADU rental builds.
Waterford Point
Gated enclave of large single-family homes in The Tribute area with some of the biggest lots in the city, ideal for premium detached ADUs targeting executive renters.
Legend Trails
Mature Legends neighborhood of detached single-family homes on sizeable lots close to Grandscape and the Frisco/Plano medical and corporate job clusters.
Austin Ranch
Large master-planned community anchored by single-family homes near Grandscape, with quick access to the Sam Rayburn Tollway job corridor.
The Colony ADU Market at a Glance
Local Zoning Rules
2026 The Colony ADU Rules
The Colony's 2026 ADU ordinance caps new units at 1,000 sq ft and 16 ft of height — in the typical range most ADU floor plans are designed around. Setbacks run tight — 3 ft side / 3 ft rear — which leaves more of the lot buildable. The Colony doesn't trigger the extra engineer-stamp requirement we see in higher seismic-risk or hurricane-code cities — a standard code-compliant ADU under the size cap can typically be designed and submitted without an architect or engineer stamp, though any load-bearing change to the existing house still needs one.
Permit fees run $1,000–$2,500 — notably inexpensive compared to most cities we cover through Building Inspections Department. Submit directly to the department online — link below.
| Regulation | The Colony Allowance |
|---|---|
| Max ADU Size | 1,000 sq ft |
| Max Height | 16 ft |
| Side Setback | 3 ft |
| Rear Setback | 3 ft |
| Architect / Engineer Stamp | Not required under the size cap* |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required |
| Short-Term Rental | Restricted |
| Coastal Overlay | No |
| Design Review | No |
| HOA Prevalence | 56% of properties |
| Permit Fees | $1,000–$2,500 |
*Load-bearing modifications to the existing house always need an engineer stamp regardless of ADU size. Data verified 2026-08-15T06:10:50.038Z. Always confirm with the Building Inspections Department before designing.
The Colony Permit Process
The Colony ADU Permit Timeline & Fees
Local Financing Resources
Local ADU Lenders in The Colony
These lenders offer HELOC, construction, and renovation loans for ADU projects in Denton County. Compare terms before committing.
Loan amounts up to $766,550 with 9-month construction phase (3-month extension option) and interest-only payments during construction; serves North Texas including Wylie and the DFW metroplex.
Visit Lender ↗Texas-only credit union offering HELOCs from $20,000 up to $750,000 on first liens and up to $300,000 on second liens, with expertise in Texas home-equity lending rules.
Visit Lender ↗Dallas-based bank offering specialized construction financing for builders/developers in the DFW region, with flexible structures for property acquisition, development, and refinancing.
Visit Lender ↗Specialty ADU/renovation lender that loans against the home's after-renovation value (no draw schedules, inspections, or refinancing required); partners with credit unions to fund projects nationwide including Texas.
Visit Lender ↗North Texas credit union with Denton County presence offering mortgage and home loans; an established local option in the immediate The Colony service area.
Visit Lender ↗Build With A Plan is not affiliated with these lenders. Always compare rates and consult a mortgage professional.
Local Build Partners
Vetted ADU Contractors in The Colony
We draw the plans. These contractors build them. Independent — no referral fees paid or received.
Build With A Plan provides drawings only. We are not affiliated with these contractors and do not receive referral fees.
Next Steps
Ready to Move Forward With Your The Colony ADU?
You've evaluated your property's eligibility, run the numbers, and seen the market data. The next step is getting permit-ready architectural drawings to submit to Building Inspections Department.
Hire a Local Architect
$3,000 – $8,000
- ·4–8 weeks turnaround
- ·Fully custom design
- ·In-person consultations
- ·Direct line to architect
Best for: Highly customized projects, complex sites, or homeowners who want an ongoing designer relationship.
Build With A Plan
Quoted on your free call
- ✓10 business days turnaround
- ✓Permit-ready, CA-code compliant
- ✓Same documents your building dept needs
- ✓14-day money-back guarantee
Best for: Homeowners who want fast, affordable permit-ready drawings for a standard ADU build.
Both options produce permit-ready architectural drawings accepted by Building Inspections Department. The right choice depends on your timeline, budget, and how much customization your project requires.
Drawing Package Details
What's Included in Your The Colony ADU Package
Engineered for TX Permit Approvals
What You Get
The Colony ADU Drawings — What's Included
How our permit-ready drawing sets compare to hiring a local architect in The Colony:
| Service Type | Typical Cost | Turnaround | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Architect | $3,000 – $8,000 | 4–8 weeks | Fully custom |
| Build With A Plan · Starter | Quoted on your free call | 10 days | Standard |
| Build With A Plan · Standard | Quoted on your free call | 10 days | Standard |
| Build With A Plan · Premium | Quoted on your free call | 5 days | Enhanced |
- ✓Site plan
- ✓Floor plans
- ✓All 4 elevations
- ✓Electrical plan
- ✓local energy code form
- ✓PDF + DWG delivery
- ✓10 business day turnaround
- ✓Everything in Starter
- ✓Structural plans (stamped)
- ✓Cross-section details
- ✓Window & door schedules
- ✓Material specifications
- ✓1 round of revisions
- ✓Everything in Standard
- ✓3D rendering
- ✓Garage conversion alt plan
- ✓HOA submission package
- ✓2 rounds of revisions
- ✓Priority 5-day turnaround
The Done-For-You Path
Want Your The Colony ADU Fully Done For You?
Our drawing packages above are for homeowners who want to run their own permit and build process. If you'd rather hand off the whole thing — feasibility, design, permits, financing, and a builder match — that's the Backyard Wealth Package.
We turn your backyard into a rental unit. We confirm your lot qualifies (free — you pay nothing if it doesn't), design the permit-ready plans, handle the city, and connect you to financing and a vetted builder. One flat fee — about what an architect charges just to start. Yours would rent around $1,524/mo.
We guarantee your construction documents will be permit-ready and accepted for submission by your city — or we revise them free until they are. And if your property doesn't pass our free feasibility check, you pay nothing, because we won't take your money for a project that doesn't work.
We won't even take your money unless your property qualifies.
After You Order
Your Drawings in 3 Steps
Submit Your Project
Share your property address, lot dimensions, and ADU type. We'll confirm your order and assign your project coordinator.
We Draft Your Drawings
Our team designs your permit-ready drawing set — engineered for The Colony's building department requirements and TX code. Delivered in 10 business days.
Submit to Your City
Download your complete drawing package and submit directly to Building Inspections Department. We support corrections at no extra charge.
Real Projects · Verified Outcomes
ADU Projects Completed with Build With A Plan
Three representative project scenarios based on actual drawing packages delivered in Texas cities with similar market conditions to The Colony.
Build costs reflect local construction data for The Colony. Client names are initials only. Permit timelines are project-specific and may vary.
"Permit approved on the first submittal. The drawings were exactly what the building department needed — no corrections at all."
"We converted our two-car garage in under 6 months. Drawings were ready in 10 days — faster than any local firm we contacted."
"The JADU drawings included everything the city required. Submitted day 11, approved six weeks later. Tenant moved in two months after that."
Representative scenarios. Build costs modeled using The Colony construction data (city-verified data) and Building Inspections Department. Outcomes vary by project scope and site conditions.
Building Code
The Colony Climate Zone & Energy Code
Texas State Energy Code (based on the 2015 IECC and 2015 IRC Chapter 11): Texas adopts the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) statewide, with 2015 IRC Chapter 11 governing residential energy efficiency for single-family residences and duplexes, and ASHRAE 90.1-2013 applying to state-funded commercial buildings; The Colony has additionally adopted the 2018 IECC locally.
Compare Cities
The Colony vs. Nearby Texas Cities
| City | Build Cost/sqft | Permit Fees | 1BR ADU Rent | Cap Rate | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Colony ← you | — | $1,000+ | $1,524/mo | 3.3% | Free check → |
| Denton | $250 | $975+ | $1,099/mo | 5.5% | View → |
| Lewisville | $200 | $7,496+ | $1,301/mo | 4.2% | View → |
| Flower Mound | $250 | $2,000+ | $1,645/mo | 5.5% | View → |
| Little Elm | — | — | $1,366/mo | 6.5% | View → |
Frequently Asked
The Colony ADU Questions
How much does it cost to build an ADU in The Colony? +
What is the maximum ADU size allowed in The Colony? +
How long does the ADU permit process take in The Colony? +
Do I need owner-occupancy to build an ADU in The Colony? +
What's the rental income potential for an ADU in The Colony? +
How much does it cost to get ADU drawings in The Colony? +
What drawings are required for an ADU permit in The Colony? +
Can I convert my garage to an ADU in The Colony? +
What neighborhoods in The Colony are best for ADU investment? +
Is The Colony ADU-friendly? +
How much will an ADU increase my property value in The Colony? +
Can I use my The Colony ADU as a short-term rental (Airbnb / VRBO)? +
The Colony has a high HOA rate (56%) — do I need HOA approval for an ADU? +
Does The Colony's seismic zone affect ADU construction requirements? +
Where do I submit ADU plans in The Colony? +
More Services in The Colony
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