If you’ve ever thought about building a small guest house in your backyard, you might be interested in a recent decision by the Burleson City Council.
On October 19, the City Council approved changes to the city’s zoning ordinance that will allow homeowners to build what are officially called Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs.
That’s government-speak for a second, smaller living space on the same property as your primary residence.
Think of a little guest house out back. A place for Mom or Dad to live nearby without actually living with you. Maybe somewhere for an adult child who’s trying to get on their feet. Or even a place to generate some additional rental income.
There are quite a few possibilities here.
But before you start calling contractors, there are some rules you need to know about.
What Exactly Did Burleson Approve?
Under the new ordinance, qualifying homeowners can have one accessory dwelling unit on their property.
Here are some of the important requirements:
Size: The ADU cannot exceed 900 square feet or 50% of the main home’s floor area, whichever is smaller.
Owner occupancy: The property owner must occupy either the main house or the ADU.
Parking: One additional parking space is required.
Utilities: The ADU cannot have separate utility meters.
Address: The guest house cannot have its own separate address.
Short-term rentals: ADUs cannot be permitted as short-term rentals.
So, if you’re thinking about building a little Airbnb empire in your backyard, that’s not what the city has in mind.
However, a guest house for family members or a long-term rental could be an entirely different story.
And that’s where I think this gets interesting.
Could This Increase Your Property Value?
Possibly. And that’s probably the first question I’d ask if I owned a property where this was an option.
A well-designed guest house could make a home more attractive to certain buyers, especially those looking for multigenerational living arrangements.
We’re seeing more families interested in keeping aging parents close, helping adult children with housing, or simply having additional space for extended family.
An ADU could help meet those needs.
There’s also the possibility of rental income, assuming the property meets the city’s requirements and any other applicable restrictions.
But here’s something I want to emphasize:
Just because you spend $100,000 building a guest house doesn’t mean your property value automatically increases by $100,000.
Real estate doesn’t work that way.
The value of an ADU will depend on things like its quality, functionality, location, the property’s overall appeal, and what buyers in that particular neighborhood are willing to pay.
It could be a terrific investment. It could also be an expensive improvement that doesn’t return every dollar you put into it.
I’d want to look at the numbers before making that decision.
Here’s the Catch: What If You Live in an HOA?
This is where things could get a little complicated.
The City of Burleson may now allow accessory dwelling units, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your homeowners association does.
Many neighborhoods have recorded deed restrictions, commonly called CC&Rs, that regulate what can be built on a property.
Some may prohibit additional residences altogether. Others may restrict detached structures, building materials, setbacks, or how a property can be used.
And those restrictions don’t automatically disappear just because the city changes its zoning ordinance.
City approval and HOA approval are two different things.
For example, Burleson might allow you to build a 700-square-foot guest house, but your HOA’s recorded restrictions could prohibit a second dwelling on the property.
Generally speaking, you’d have to comply with both.
Of course, Texas law can override certain HOA restrictions, so the exact language of the deed restrictions and applicable state law matter.
My advice? Before spending money on plans, permits, or contractors, check your recorded deed restrictions and talk with your HOA or architectural control committee.
You might save yourself a pretty expensive headache.
What About Existing Homes With Large Lots?
Now this is where I think the new ordinance could create some interesting opportunities.
Burleson has quite a few established neighborhoods with larger lots. Some of those properties may be particularly well-suited for a detached guest house.
And unlike a new subdivision where nearly every lot is designed around a similar floor plan, older neighborhoods can offer a lot more variety.
A buyer who wants room for a parent, adult child, or extended family member might start looking at those properties differently.
It could even change how some homeowners think about their current house.
Instead of selling because they need a different living arrangement, they may have another option.
That doesn’t mean every large lot qualifies. Setbacks, easements, utility access, lot coverage, permitting requirements, and deed restrictions still matter.
But it does give homeowners another possibility to explore.
My Take
I like this change.
Not because I think everybody should run out and build a guest house, but because I like giving property owners more options.
Housing needs change over time.
The house that worked perfectly when your kids were little might not work quite as well when you’re caring for an aging parent. Or when one of those kids graduates from college and discovers that rent isn’t nearly as much fun as they thought it would be.
An accessory dwelling unit might be part of the solution.
Will it make sense for every homeowner? Absolutely not.
Will it add value to every property? Not necessarily.
But for the right property and the right situation, I think it could be a very attractive option.
And as a Realtor who works in Burleson and the surrounding communities, I’ll be interested to see how buyers respond to homes that offer this kind of flexibility.
One last thing: If you’re considering adding a guest house, I’d be happy to help you evaluate how it might affect your property’s marketability and resale value before you start spending money.
Because the best time to find out whether an improvement adds value is before you build it.
Jeff Kelly is a local Realtor serving Burleson, Fort Worth, and the surrounding 817 communities. He writes The 817 Journal to share local real estate news, community developments, and the occasional opinion.
Source: City of Burleson — Adopted Zoning Ordinance CSO#6295-10-2026