Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit Program

COE Pre Approved ADU program

About the Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit Program 

The Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit Program mobilizes property owners to actively participate in our collective effort towards resolving the housing crisis. The program lowers the barrier of entry to constructing infill housing.

The program assists property owners in creating accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by providing architectural plans, expediting the building permit process, and reducing pre-construction fees. The program provides a selection of pre-approved accessory dwelling unit building plans that can be downloaded or purchased through the ADU Pre-Approved Plans Library. 

The ADU Pre-Approved Plans Library offers a variety of styles, sizes and special features such as energy-efficient, accessible and low-cost units. The City of Eugene’s ADU design includes customizable options to allow for variations in exterior materials and roof style.  The program helps the city meet community goals as expressed through Envision Eugene by providing more housing and more diverse options throughout the city.

Program History

Like many other communities throughout the country, Eugene is in a housing crisis. Years of underproduction, high construction costs and low wages have created an environment where many community members struggle to find housing they can afford. The City is classified as a severely rent-burdened city meaning that a majority of community members spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs. 

To address this, the Eugene City Council asked staff to recommend strategies and tools to address the barriers to housing affordability, availability, and diversity. The Pre-Approved ADU program is one tool to work towards that goal. The program offers multiple architectural plans for detached ADUs that have already gone through the building permit review and lowers the pre-development costs for ADUs.

Facts about ADUs in Eugene

ADUs are a way to provide space for your family, friends and out of town guests, an affordable rental unit, or just a private studio space in your own backyard. Some people even build one to live in and rent out their house. There are so many possibilities and we’re here to help you through the process, step by step.


•    ADUs are currently allowed in all neighborhoods.

•    ADUs can be a maximum of 800 sq. ft. or 10% of the lot area in most zones (whichever is smaller).

•    ADUs in most zones only need to meet the design standards required for ADUs and are not subject to other residential design  

       standards.

•    ADUs do not require additional off-street parking.

•    Owner occupancy of either unit is not required.

•    ADUs are not restricted by minimum lot size, lot dimension or maximum density.

•    ADUs are allowed on alley access lots and flag lots.

•    System Development Charges  (SDCs) can be financed through the City for up to 10 years

Documents and Plans for Application Submittal

The following documents have been created to assist you in the preparation of your building permit submittal for your ADU. 


Pre-Approved ADU due diligence checklist

 eBuild User Guide

Accessory Dwelling Unit fact sheet for properties in City limits

Accessory Dwelling Unit fact sheet for unannexed properties within the UGB

For Stormwater Information - Please contact cewepic@ci.eugene.or.us, 541-682-8400 for information

  1. What is an ADU?
  2. What does pre-approval mean?
  3. What is the permitting process?
View All

Resources for inquiries regarding building permits, land use, and public works (SDC's, sewer, etc.)

Thank you!

The City of Eugene Staff would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the architects and design professionals that volunteered their time to help create this program. By offering ADU plans at significantly reduced rates, more community members will have an opportunity to impact the housing shortage.

Contact Us

  1. Planning Division

    Annie Loe

    Urban Designer

    99 W. 10th Avenue

    Eugene, OR 97401


    Email