How to Build an ADU On Your Land

Want to know what to know when building a stick-built ADU "Tiny Home"? Here, we will explore what you need to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to your existing residential home and build a single-family residence from the ground up, incorporating either an attached or detached ADU. Let's get started!

Hand Holding Accessory Dwelling Unit Acronym ADU

First things first, what is an ADU? The acronym ADU stands for Accessory Dwelling Unit and is sometimes called a "Tiny Home". However, the most commonly thought of with a Tiny Home is that they are on wheels. With regards to an ADU, that is not the case. ADUs are on-site, stick-built homes built on a concrete foundation like any other residential home. These can be attached or detached units in addition to your existing or to-be-built residential home. It all depends on the space availability on your lot or land and what the jurisdictional guidelines allow. 

Know What to Research Before Building an ADU On Your Land

Researching what you need to build an ADU On Your Land is essential to any project. When completed properly, mistakes and budget overages during the construction process are minimized. Notice we said minimized, not removed. There is always a risk in building that you will incur overages; however, you can mitigate these and plan for unknown costs by including a 10% contingency in your budget. Call this a peace of mind contingency; the important thing is that you don't pay for it if you do not use it! 

A quick overview of items to research includes the sources of utilities (power, sewer, water, and gas) and whether the services can accommodate an additional dwelling. You may need to upgrade your water meter, or you may need to upgrade a septic system, depending on your jurisdiction's requirements. You may also encounter a scenario where you require a 400-amp electrical service, but your current service is only 200-amps. Further research will be conducted in collaboration with your jurisdictional building and planning department. They will help in answering questions regarding building regulations and property setbacks. They can also guide you to other departments you need to contact for other vital rules pertaining to your specific home build and property. Also, remember to research any community CC&Rs or Homeowner Association (HOA) regulations because you may also need approval from your HOA.

Adding an ADU to Your Existing Home: Attached and Detached

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) can be attached to your existing single-family home and built by a general contractor specializing in remodeling and renovation. You can add an Accessory Dwelling Unit above your garage or on the ground floor, attached to your current residence, for ease of access and to accommodate aging parents. Either way, you will want a General Contractor who knows the ins and outs of adding additional square footage to an existing home. An attached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a great option when a small lot is zoned to allow for an ADU.

Detached ADUs can be utilized when you have a larger lot that accommodates a separate unit, providing more privacy for you and the person(s) living in your newly added ADU. This option is excellent for rental situations where you will not know the tenants and want to keep your space. If you are an investor who rents both a single-family residence and an ADU, give both tenants the feeling of having their own space. Building a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) can be constructed by a General Contractor specializing in remodels and renovations or a new home builder offering ADUs as an option. Attention investors, ensure zoning permits rentals in addition to your CC&Rs and Homeowners Association rules. In some circumstances, you may be able to have short-term rentals, while in others, you may need to stick with long-term rental units, such as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). In your initial due diligence research, which we discussed earlier in this article, you will want to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that your intended use is permitted.

Building an ADU in Oregon

In recent years, the state of Oregon has passed legislation related to Middle Housing, which aims to promote denser developments to conserve land resources and provide more affordable housing. This includes the introduction of Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs). The objective is to offer more homes per acre, including smaller Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) that typically have lower rents than traditional homes. This initiative aims to provide more affordable housing for Oregon's workforce, as this type of housing is urgently needed. Starting from December 1, 2023, landowners in Deschutes County whose properties meet the specified criteria can apply for approval to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on land located outside city limits in some areas.

If you want to learn more about the option of building a new customized home or ADU on your land, even if it's just to explore if this is an option to consider, contact us by email at mybuilder@visionmakerhomes.com or give us a call at 541-678-3607 to learn more. We're here to help when you're ready!