Bend ADU Guide
A resource for homeowners.
Accessory Dwelling Units
Additional housing for Central Oregon
With the adoption of House Bill 2001, homeowners have more options to add additional housing to their lots. This can provide homeowners with income to offset their mortgage and add more workforce housing to our community.
This guide is meant to answer some questions about the process of building, financing, and renting an ADU. It is not meant to be a comprehensive guide but it will direct you to resources that will help you as you build an ADU on your property in the city of Bend.
Starting December 1, 2023, ADUs can be permitted in certain zones in rural Deschutes County. For information, visit the Deschutes County website.
ADU Design & Construction
Explore key steps in planning and building your ADU.
ADU Financing & Costs
Learn about financing options, budgeting tips, and real-world cost estimates.
ADU Permitting & Zoning
Understand Bend’s ADU zoning rules, permitting requirements, and approval process.
ADU Property Management
Find guidance on managing your ADU as well as tips on maintenance and compliance.
Types of ADUs
Detached
Free-standing structure, such as a backyard cottage
Attached
Shares at least one wall with the primary home
Interior Garage
Built from existing converted space (an attic or basement)
Inside Garage
Converted former garage space
Above Garage
Unit built above the garage
City of Bend's Pre-Approved ADU unit program
The Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit Program encourages the construction of ADUs by offering a faster path through the building permit process while also reducing pre-construction costs. This is possible because the program allows property owners to use an ADU building plan that has already passed Building Plan Review and meets building code.
Bend Chamber Pre-Approved ADU design library
The Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Library is the result of the Bend Chamber’s continued efforts and shared values with the City of Bend to encourage and incentivize the construction of ADUs. The City’s housing strategy encourages the development of more diverse housing units and recognizes that ADUs are an integral part of the housing continuum.
Workforce Housing Initiative
Increasing the supply of affordable and attainable housing to support Bend’s growing population is one of our guiding policy principles. Adding an ADU to your property is one of several ways to help add workforce housing to our community. Click below to learn more about the Chamber’s Workforce Housing Initiative.
Thank you Leadership Bend class of 2022
This guide was created by members of the Leadership Bend Class of 2022. Our team met with Katy Brooks, Bend Chamber CEO, to find out what kind of project would make the most impact in our community. She said that after each of the Workforce Housing webinars, attendees asked what they could do personally to help alleviate the housing crisis. We felt it made sense for us to create a project that utilized our individual strengths and realms of influence: city zoning and permits, design, construction, financing, property management, and marketing (and someone who’s been through the process!) to create a resource for those people who wanted to help.
Leadership Bend Contributors:
- Sean Bearden — Hayden Homes
- Eric Berlin — First Interstate Bank
- Chloe Crabtree — PrideStaff
- Heather Dion — CASA of Central Oregon
- Jennifer Gordon — Bend Chamber of Commerce
- Matthew Guthrie — BBT Architects
- Matt Kelly — Ten Over Studio
- Cynthia Maree — St. Charles Health System
- Jeff Sanders — Mid-Oregon Credit Union
- Ryan Schomburg — Guiding Vision
- Meli Wellington — Arbor Mortgage Group
- Jo Wells — City of Bend
The Bend Chamber is actively supported by these Signature Investors
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