Title
Update on the Garage Conversion Amnesty Program Permit for single-family homes with unauthorized garage conversions.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Roger Neal
BACKGROUND:
On July 16, 2024, the City Council established the “Amnesty Program Permit” (Program) for unauthorized garage conversions in single-family homes. The purpose of the Program is to ensure that such conversions comply with health, safety, and minimum building code requirements, thereby validating previously unauthorized garage conversions. The 18-month amnesty program terminates on January 31, 2026.
As part of the Program, homeowners were encouraged to submit an Amnesty Program Permit application. Upon successful completion of the final inspection, the permit was issued, thereby removing the home's nonconforming status and allowing permits for future expansions or additions.
An initial list of 1,393 single-family residences with potential garage conversions was identified through a visual survey. City staff subsequently conducted a further assessment of the list using Tyler Munis, MyGov, and Laserfiche databases to determine whether garage-conversion building permits had been issued for each address. As a result, 358 homes were removed from the list, reducing the total to 1,035 potential garage conversions.
DISCUSSION:
At the December 9, 2025, City Council meeting, the City Council received an update on the Program’s progress. As of November 18, 2025, 907 potential garage conversions remained unvalidated, a reduction of 128 from the original total of 1,035.
Following the December 9, 2025, City Council meeting, the list of potential garage conversions was further reduced to 731 due to continued staff research using the Dallas County Central Appraisal District database, Google Street View, and aerial imagery.
To date, the number of potential garage conversions has been reduced to 714 as a result of homeowner requests for permit verification, on-site inspections of questionable conversions, and the issuance of new Amnesty Program permits. This represents a reduction of 679 from the original total of 1,035.
Effective February 1, 2026, all remaining unpermitted garage conversions will be deemed nonconforming structures due to noncompliance with the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO), specifically the requirement for two enclosed parking spaces for single-family residences. Pursuant to Article 6, Section 6.6 (“Nonconformities”) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, building permits for the expansion of nonconforming structures shall not be issued. Maintenance and repair are permitted only as required to meet health and safety regulations or minimum building standards. Any future garage enclosure or structural addition would require the provision of a two-car enclosed garage, as an enclosure without a replacement is prohibited.
Between now and January 31, 2026, staff will continue to conduct on-site visual inspections of questionable garage conversions and review homeowner requests for permit verification.
DISTRICT:
Citywide
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Presentation