Determine your lot’s potential
For Housing

These questions will help you determine your residential lot’s potential build out, whether you’re looking to build a small ADU or a triplex on the lot.

A few notes before you begin:

  • This quiz is only for lots within the City of Austin, Texas.

  • This quiz assumes that your lot is zoned for single family homes. It is not meant to be used for multi-family or commercial projects.

  • This quiz works best on laptops or desktops.

  • This quiz will lead you to some initial information allowing you to answer the basic question of “Can I build multiple units on this lot?” To determine the best use for your lot and the exact buildout envelopes allowed, hire someone like Om Design to draft a building envelope for you.

ZONING.

iS YOUR LOT ZONED SINGLE FAMILY 1, 2, or 3?

Use the City’s website to determine your lot’s zoning.

  1. Click on the button below.

  2. Click on “address” on the top left of the City’s mapping site.

  3. Enter your address in the search bar. It will automatically populate as you type.

  4. When you find your address, hit submit.

  5. Look for “ZType.” If this shows “SF-1,” “SF-2,” or “SF-3,” the answer to this question is yes.

size.

iS YOUR LOT greater than 5,750 sf?

Use the County assessor’s website to determine your lot’s size.

  1. Click on the button below.

  2. Enter your address in the search bar.

  3. When you see your listing click on the blue text to see the characteristics of your lot.

  4. Scroll down to the section titled “Land” where it will show your lot’s square footage.

lot coverage.

is the total area of buildings less than 40%?

Use the County assessor’s website to determine the approximate lot coverage.

  1. Click on the button below and enter your address in the search bar.

  2. When you see your listing click on the blue text to see the characteristics of your lot.

  3. Scroll down to the section titled “Improvement” where it will show your building’s square footage.

  4. To calculate lot coverage take the area of the first floor and divide it by your lot size. (Find lot size under “land”)

NOTE: This method is an approximate calculation and does not account for existing accessory structures that may not be shown on the assessor records.

impervious coverage.

is the total covered area less than 45%?

Get the measuring tape.

If you have a survey (usually provided on purchase of the home) you can use that to estimate areas. Alternatively, you can step outside with a tape measure and add it up by hand.

  1. Measure driveways, walkways, concrete pads, decks and any other areas that water cannot easily pass through.

  2. Add those areas to your building coverage

  3. Then divide by the lot size to get your current impervious coverage.

YOU CAN BUILT IT

How much can you build?

build this

from this

Here at Om Design we specialize in small units and making the most out of the lot you have. We understand that people want affordable housing for generations to come and are committed to helping you create a project that will work with the City’s requirements.