Custom ADUs in Vancouver
Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit in Vancouver is a great way to add function and value to your home. If you're looking for a vacation home or a granny flat, one great solution is to build a custom ADU on your lot.
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Working within the square footage limitations for Vancouver ADUs and tiny homes can be challenging. Renew Design + Build can create a design that fits your lifestyle, aesthetics, and intended use, whether you're hosting a loved one or a world traveler.
Vancouver ADU Designers
Creating the right design for a guest house or secondary dwelling requires an attention to detail and understanding of your unique situation. At Renew Design + Build, we'll spend time working with you to figure out what you need from the space. We'll create an ADU floor plan that fits your needs, and provide high-quality 3D renderings so that you can see exactly what the finished product will look like. When it's time to start construction, your ADU designer will work with the construction team to make sure your project turns out exactly like you envisioned.
Renew Design + Build is an ADU Builder in Vancouver, WA
Renew Design + Build has been building guest homes and ADUs since 2013. As a general contractor in Vancouver, many of our projects involve accessory dwellings and guest homes.
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Our full-service design-build team has a passion for unique projects. Over the past decade, we've intentionally crafted our company to provide great service.
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If you're wondering whether you can build an ADU, we can help you explore options and find an answer. Schedule a free consultation or call (360) 253-2000 to discuss your project.
Local Vancouver ADU Builder
Our ADU projects are tucked away within Vancouver neighborhoods like East Vancouver, Five Corners, and Orchards. Whether you're preparing for aging in place with a mother-in-law apartment in Felida, adding a guest house in Mount Vista, or building a tiny house in downtown Vancouver, we can help you through designs, usability, permitting, and construction.
Luxury Home Building FAQs
What ADU regulations apply to our property in Vancouver?
Vancouver allows up to two ADUs per residential lot, which can be attached to your home, detached as a separate structure, or a combination of both. ADUs in Vancouver cannot exceed 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, and no additional on-site parking is required. No owner-occupancy requirement exists, giving you flexibility to rent both your primary home and ADU if desired. Your specific lot's zoning, setbacks, and lot coverage requirements will determine the exact configuration options available for your property.
How long do ADU projects typically take in Vancouver?
Most ADU projects take 4-8 months from initial consultation to completion, including design development, permit approval, and construction. Vancouver requires all ADU applications to be filed with the Assessor's Office before construction is completed. Washington state law requires permit decisions within 60 days of receiving a complete application, though actual timelines vary based on jurisdiction workload and project complexity. We provide detailed timelines during planning that account for local approval processes and coordinate all necessary inspections throughout construction.
What is the typical investment range for custom ADUs in Vancouver?
Our custom ADUs in Vancouver typically range from $300,000 to $700,000, depending on size, features, foundation requirements, and finish quality. Factors affecting cost include utility connections, site preparation needs, accessibility features, and regulatory compliance requirements. Vancouver requires ADUs to connect to public sewer and water unless a sewer waiver is obtained. We develop detailed budgets early in the process that account for all permit fees, impact fees, and connection costs specific to Vancouver and Clark County requirements.
Can ADUs include full kitchens and separate utilities in Vancouver?
Yes, ADUs must include complete, independent living facilities including a full kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping areas to meet Vancouver's definition of an accessory dwelling unit. Separate utility metering can be arranged for electricity, gas, water, and sewer services. Separate metering simplifies management whether the ADU houses family members or rental tenants and ensures clear boundaries between main home and ADU utility costs. We coordinate all utility connections and requirements with Clark Public Utilities and other service providers during the permitting process.
Do I need to live on the property if I build an ADU?
No, Vancouver does not require property owners to live on the property where an ADU is located. Washington state law does not enforce owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs permitted between 2020 and 2025, allowing for greater flexibility in usage. This gives you options to rent both your primary home and ADU, use the ADU for family members while renting the main home, or any other configuration that meets your needs.
What size ADU can we build on our Vancouver property?
Vancouver limits individual ADUs to a maximum of 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, with a minimum size determined by Washington State Building Code requirements. If you're building two ADUs on the same property, each unit is subject to the 1,000 square foot maximum. The actual size will also depend on your lot coverage limits, setback requirements, and height restrictions for your specific zoning district. We help determine the optimal size and configuration during the design phase based on your property's unique characteristics and your functional needs.
What types of ADU configurations are allowed in Vancouver?
Vancouver allows ADUs to be located within your existing home (such as a basement conversion), attached to your primary structure (as an addition), or detached as a separate building on the same lot. Existing garage structures or other outbuildings may be converted to ADUs. We can help evaluate which configuration works best for your property considering factors like lot size, existing structures, access, utilities, and your intended use of the space.
Are there special design requirements for ADUs in Vancouver?
Vancouver's current regulations no longer require an ADU to be visually subordinate to or architecturally compatible with the principal dwelling. However, the ADU must comply with all standard setback requirements, height limits, and lot coverage maximums for your zoning district. Any addition to an existing house or construction of a new ADU cannot exceed the allowable lot coverage or encroach into required setbacks as prescribed in the underlying zone. We design ADUs that enhance your property while meeting all technical requirements and creating beautiful, functional spaces.
What permits and fees should we expect for an ADU project?
ADU projects in Vancouver require building permits and must go through the city's review process. Energy forms are required for new dwellings, and when building a new home and an ADU simultaneously, separate energy compliance forms are required for each dwelling. You may need to contact Clark Public Utilities to verify transformer capacity and obtain required clearances for overhead lines if building a detached ADU. Permit fees vary based on project scope and valuation. We handle all permit applications and coordinate with city departments to ensure smooth approval and compliance throughout your project.
Can we use our ADU as a rental property or Airbnb?
Yes, Vancouver allows ADUs to be used as rental properties, including short-term rentals, as there is no owner-occupancy requirement. Up to two ADUs may be created in conjunction with each parcel, and the property owner is not required to live on the property. You should verify that short-term rental use complies with any applicable Vancouver business licensing requirements and homeowners association restrictions if applicable. We can design your ADU to maximize rental appeal while meeting all building code and accessibility requirements.