Accessory Dwelling Unit in Portland

We transformed this underused patch of grass into a highly functional 2-bedroom accessory dwelling unit in Portland. 

This lot is the most common size lot in Portland.  It is 100 feet by 50 feet.  The house sits almost right in the middle of the lot, and only gives the minimum setback of 5 feet on both north and south sides.  The majority of property sizes are just like this one in Portland.  We were able to create a sidewalk on the north side creating access to the separate accessory dwelling unit behind the main house.  There are many creative solutions for typical Portland lot layouts that make it possible to design and build a custom ADU that fits with the overall lot very well.

We incorporated elevated awning windows and strategically positioned bedroom windows not only provided ample natural light, but also created a distinct separation between the ADU and the main house.  This ensured a sense of privacy for this accessory dwelling unit.

We went with polished concrete floors on this project since the main purpouse of this accessory dwelling unit was to be a rental.  The concrete floors hold up a long time, require almost no maintenice, and are very similar in overall price to a laminate floor or other flooring options.  

Since the accessory dwelling unit is fairly small square footage wise, we were able to heat and cool the unit with a mini split for the whole unit.   We added buddy heaters to both bedrooms, as well as ceiling fans in the bedrooms to circulate the cool air.  This is usually enough for a small space like this, especially if you have fans that can circulate the indoor air.

This project shows what you can do with a typical small backyard in Portland Oregon.  By deciding to build an accessory dwelling unit in Portland, homeowners are given a great opportunity to maximize the use of their property.  As the demand for flexible and functional living spaces rises, backyard ADUs emerge as a practical and stylish solution.

Portland and a lot of the surrounding cities are very ADU-friendly.  Current policies have spurred a surge in these compact yet versatile structures.  They offer  homeowners solutions for  multigenerational living, additional living space,  home offices, or rental income units.

Whether you envision a cozy guest cottage, a private retreat, or a rental income opportunity, accessory dwelling units redefine the possibilities of homeownership in Portland. We specialize in crafting custom ADU solutions, guiding you through both the design and construction process for a seamless experience.  Contact us to explore the potential of adding an accessory dwelling unit to your property, and reimagine what your property can do for you. 

Here is a link to the city of Portlands rules for building an ADU on your property.  

Check out some of our other ADU construction projects that we have completed recently.