Introduction | Welcome | Basic Steps | Design Considerations | Getting Approval
Architect Services | Contractor Services | Lending Assistance | Renting-Out An ADU
Zoning Information | Online Evaluation Form | Helpful Links

Introduction
If you are reading this message, chances are you have already spent some time thinking about the benefits of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), and whether or not one is right for you. You have looked into the opportunity and discovered that an ADU can provide for you or your families’ immediate or future housing needs, or help your financial situation. You may have considered whether it would be best for you to create one inside your home, build a detached one on your property (if it is allowed in your city), or buy a house with an ADU already developed. But, you also have some questions. There are still things you need to know or people you need to talk to.

What is the ADU Homeowner Packet?
There are a number of steps involved and decisions to make in developing and operating an ADU. We have spent a good amount of time learning about what is involved from homeowners who have already been through the process, and know (first-hand) what it is like. Generally speaking, an ADU project will be similar to a remodel or addition to your home. This packet is organized to touch on the areas that we think you will be most interested in. Remember, we have tried to cover a broad variety of situations in each of the topic areas, so while there is a lot of information, not all the steps or information may apply to your project. We have tried to write sections in a manner that explains steps in detail for individuals with little or no experience with construction projects. Therefore, individuals who have already been through a construction project may find some of the sections ‘wordy’ or elementary to them. We believe the information in this packet will give you a good head start in the initial planning and organization of your project, as well as an important reference as your project progresses. As this program continues, we hope its users will provide us with additional insights and tips, which we can pass along to other users.

Topics
This Homeowner Packet is organized into the following topic areas:

• Basic Steps for Creating an ADU
  Identifies the general steps involved with creating an ADU. Some of these steps may not apply to your ADU project.
  
  

• Design Considerations
  Identifies the elements of ADU design, such as size, entry, parking, utilities, and exterior appearance. Some of these are regulated by city codes and some are not.
  
  

• Getting Approval for an Unregistered ADU
  If there already is an ADU on your property, it identifies some reasons why you would want to consider registering your ADU and the process for getting an unregistered ADU unit approved and registered.
  
  

• Architect Services
  Discusses whether you need an architect, and provides help about how to assess and select an architect and the services you want.
  
  

• Contractor Services
  Discusses whether you need a contractor and how to find the right one for your project. Helps you understand what should be in a construction contract, and takes you through the steps in managing the construction process.
  
  

• Lending Assistance
  Discusses pre-loan approval and loan approval, and identifies public financial assistance and opportunities.
  
  

• Renting-Out an ADU
  Identifies how to find and screen tenants, decide about a rental agreement, and choose between deposits and fees. It also identifies issues such as sharing facilities (e.g. laundry) with your tenant.
  
  

• Additional Resources
  Provides contact information about ARCH (for those living in East King County), and the City of Seattle (for those living in Seattle).
  
  

• Zoning Information
  The zoning information includes two basic documents: 1) a ‘summary matrix’, which indicates the main provisions of local ADU ordinances and compares them among the eastside cities. For example, when you look at the zoning matrix you will see that owner occupancy is required by all the cities. This means that the owner must live in either the primary house or ADU. 2) A ‘zoning profile’ for your city, which gives you more detailed information about the city’s zoning requirements for ADUs. For example, in the City of Bellevue, your ADU must be at least 300 square feet in size, but cannot be greater than 800 square feet in size.

Resource Assistants
A resource center has been established at both ARCH and the City of Seattle to assist you with general questions you may have about ADUs or the information provided in this ADU Homeowner Packet. If the questions require a more technical response, the resource assistants may refer you to a more appropriate person or agency for response.

A. If you live in a city in East King County, or in the unincorporated area around one of the East King County cities, contact the ARCH office or visit their web-site:

Who to Contact For East King County Residents

Kolya McCleave Housing Planner
A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH)

Mailing Address:
ARCH
16225 NE 87th Street, Suite A-3
Redmond, WA 98052

Phone: (425) 861-3677 Fax: (425) 861-4553
 

B. If you live in the City of Seattle, or in the unincorporated area around Seattle, contact the City of Seattle office or visit their website www.ci.seattle.wa.us

Who to Contact For Seattle Residents

Gary Clark, Senior Community Development Specialist
City of Seattle

Mailing Address:
Gary Clark
City of Seattle
Office of Housing
618 Second Avenue, 8th Floor
Seattle, WA 98104

Phone: (206) 684-0344 Fax: (206) 233-7117
Email: Gary Clark gary.clark@ci.seattle.wa.us

City of Seattle Website:
This ADU HomeOwner Packet, a variety of other housing and ADU information, and links to related information can also be found on the City of Seattle Website.

Please Tell Us How You Learned About This Packet
Part of the success of this program will be based on how well we area able to get information to homeowners about ADUs. It will be very valuable to us to know how you leaned of this information. This will help us re-evaluated our marketing tools. We would also like to know if you have any suggestions for the packet to make it better for all users. Please take a few moments to fill out the online evaluation form.

Introduction | Welcome | Basic Steps | Design Considerations | Getting Approval
Architect Services | Contractor Services | Lending Assistance | Renting-Out An ADU
Zoning Information | Online Evaluation Form | Helpful Links

Updated: May 2001 | Questions? Contact Max Bigby, Planner | ARCH Homepage |