Guest Houses and Additions in Highland Park and University Park
Highland Park and University Park aren't part of the City of Dallas. Each has its own zoning code, its own permit office and its own rules for guest houses. University Park allows ADUs for family members. Highland Park doesn't allow kitchens in detached buildings. We know both, and we'll tell you which path fits your lot.
Park Cities homes come with high standards, tight lots and rules that surprise people. A guest house that's fine a mile away in Dallas may not be allowed here. The good news: there's almost always a way to get Mom close or give a growing family more room. It just depends on which side of the line you live on. (For City of Dallas rules, see our Dallas ADU permit guide.)
University Park: ADUs Allowed for Family
University Park lets you build an ADU on a single-family lot, with a kitchen and bathroom. The catch is who can live there.
- Who: immediate family, or full-time household employees
- Rent: not allowed
- Utilities: no separate meters
- Paperwork: a deed restriction, approved by the city attorney and recorded with Dallas County, before the building permit
- Placement: in the rear half of the lot, at least 3 feet from side and rear lines and 6 feet from the house
- Coverage: the house plus accessory buildings can't cover more than 50% of the rear half of the lot
For a parent who needs to move close, that's a clear path. See in-law suites.
Highland Park: No Kitchens Out Back
Highland Park is stricter. A detached accessory building can't have a kitchen and can't be rented. Living quarters out back are limited to household employees who work on the property.
That's why most Highland Park families get room for a parent with an attached suite: a home addition with its own entry, bedroom and bathroom, built into the main house. See home additions.
Detached buildings still work well for a pool house, office or studio. They sit in the rear yard, at least 3 feet from side lines and 10 feet from the house.
Side by Side
University Park
Highland Park
Detached unit with a kitchen
Yes (family only)
No
Can it be rented?
No
No
Best path for a parent
Detached in-law suite
Attached suite (addition)
Paperwork
Deed restriction before permit
Standard building permit
Distance from main house
6 ft min
10 ft min
Additions That Match Park Cities Homes
Whether it's a primary suite, a second story or an attached in-law wing, the addition has to look like it was always there. We match rooflines, brick, stone, windows and trim, and we plan around the lot coverage limits from the start.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a guest house in Highland Park?
You can build a detached building, but it can't have a kitchen or be rented. For a parent or relative, an attached suite added onto the house is usually the better path.
Can I build an ADU in University Park?
Yes, for immediate family or full-time household employees. It can have a kitchen and bathroom, but it can't be rented or have its own utility meter.
Do I need a deed restriction in University Park?
Yes. The city requires a recorded deed restriction limiting who can live in the ADU before it issues the building permit. We help you prepare it.
Are Highland Park and University Park part of Dallas?
No. They're separate cities inside Dallas, with their own codes and permit offices. Dallas's Board of Adjustment rules don't apply there.
Do you build pool houses in the Park Cities?
Yes. In Highland Park, a pool house without a kitchen is often the simplest detached project. See pool & guest houses.
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