The Residential Design and Compatibility or "McMansion" regulations, were designed to minimize the impact of new construction, remodels, and additions to existing buildings on surrounding properties in residential neighborhoods by defining an acceptable building area for each lot within which new development may occur. 

The standards were adopted to protect the character of Austin's older neighborhoods by ensuring that new construction, remodels, and additions are compatible in scale and bulk with existing neighborhoods.  There may be additional pertinent regulations to consider. To see if they apply to a particular property or neighborhood, please refer to the following resources.

The regulations and boundary area are contained in Chapter 25-2, Subchapter F of the City Code.
 

Parking Exemptions

A single-family residential use is only eligible for a 200-square-foot parking exemption if the garage is positioned less than 10 feet to the rear of the principal structure and is either completely detached or connected by a breezeway. 

For single-family residential use, the 200-square-foot exemption for an attached garage is not applicable since it does not require accessible parking spaces. However, commercial uses that have required accessible parking spaces remain eligible for this parking exemption. 

The 450-square-foot exemption for a carport or detached garage may still be used for single-family residential uses but may not be combined with the 200-square-foot exemption. 
 

Resources