3 Benefits to Building an ADU or Home Additions
There are three key benefits to building an ADU or home addition. First, building an ADU or home addition increases your property’s livable space. Second, building an ADU or home addition could provide you and your family with passive income if leased to tenants. In some cases, the passive income earned by renting out the unit could cover the cost of construction within a few years. Third, building an ADU or home addition usually adds value to your property – resulting in a bigger profit when you eventually choose to sell.
Understanding ADUs
Discover the world of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs) in Snohomish County. Whether attached or detached from the primary residence, these living spaces are designed to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. Ranging from 800 to 1,200 (max) square feet in built footprint, ADUs in Snohomish County offer the perfect balance of comfort and functionality. There are however many hidden costs involved with an ADU.
Is It Better to Add On or Build Up for a Home Addition?
Whether you choose to build up or add on will depend on your budget and the timeline for your project. It will also depend on the planned size of your addition, the age of your home and the square footage of your property. The addition's intended use will also dictate whether adding on or building up makes more sense.
From a financial perspective, building out tends to be less expensive than building up. It is also usually less disruptive, because homeowners may not need to move out while construction is underway. Though typically the most expensive option, building a detached ADU is least disruptive to one's everyday life. This is because construction is isolated to another part of your property entirely.
What Are the ADU Laws in Snohomish County?
Until recently, Snohomish County limited homeowners to a single ADU per lot. It also required extra off-street parking, demanded evidence of owner-occupancy and restricted where rural homeowners could build ADUs on their properties. Last summer, the Snohomish County Council altered existing ADU regulations in urban, suburban and rural areas of the county.
In his June 2021 article “Snohomish County Liberalizes Backyard Cottage and Basement Apartment Rules” for The Urbanist, Stephen Fesler summarizes recent reforms. Fesler writes that urban homeowners in Snohomish County may now build “one AADU and one DADU…per lot with a single-family residence.” Rural homeowners in Snohomish County can build one ADU, as long as the lot is large enough to accommodate the new dwelling unit.
Mobile homes classified as detached ADUs “are only permitted on lots that are 10 acres in size or more.” Attached and detached ADUs may be no larger than 1,200 square feet “excluding garages, porches, and unfinished basements.” In passing these new reforms, the Council eliminated parking requirements for urban areas. The Council also reduced off-street parking to a single space per ADU in rural areas.
Book a Call to Discuss Your ADU or Home Addition Plans
We get it, you are busy, and honestly we are too. Book an initial call and one of our team members will give you a call at a time that works best for your schedule. Typically the call will last 15-20 minutes. During this call we will try and answer your questions as well as gather information about your unique project, such as:
- location
- length of time in your home
- aspects of your space that are not working for you
VanderBeken Remodel Service Area for ADUs and Home Additions in Snohomish County
Our service area for ADUs and Home Addition remodels in Washington extends to various cities and towns in Snohomish County including:
- Edmonds, WA
- Everett, WA
- Lake Stevens, WA
- Marysville, WA
- Mill Creek, WA
- Mukilteo, WA
- Snohomish, WA
Founded in 2007, VanderBeken Remodel is based in Marysville, WA and is passionate about building beautiful spaces for fantastic people in Snohomish County!
