Rules vary across Lane, Linn, Benton & Douglas counties — Bari confirms your lot’s specifics at your free consultation.
Oregon has made building an ADU dramatically easier than it used to be — but the rules still trip people up. Here’s a plain-English overview for the Eugene and Lane County area. (Rules change, so we always confirm the current requirements for your exact parcel before we design.)
The two big changes in your favor
- No owner-occupancy requirement. In most cases you no longer have to live on-site to have an ADU — you can rent both the main house and the ADU.
- No extra off-street parking required. The old rule that forced you to add a parking space for the ADU is gone in most situations.
Setbacks, size & height
ADUs still have to respect property-line setbacks, a maximum size (tied to your lot and the primary home), and height limits — especially for a unit above a garage. These are exactly the constraints a good design solves quietly, so your unit is both legal and livable.
System Development Charges (SDCs)
This is the line item people forget. The City of Eugene assesses SDCs — one-time fees for water, sewer, stormwater, and transportation — on new dwelling units. They’re real money and worth planning for up front; we’ll factor them into your estimate so there’s no surprise at the counter.
The permit process
Plans go to the City of Eugene, Springfield, or Lane County depending on where you are, get reviewed, and come back with comments or approval. It can feel like a maze if you’ve never done it. We handle the whole thing — you never chase paperwork or sit on hold with a planner.
Thinking about a project?
Bari will look at your lot and give you an honest estimate — free, no pressure.
Begin Your Project →