Des Moines
ADU Builder.

Frequently asked

• How much does an ADU cost in Des Moines, WA in 2026?

  Turn-key ADUs in Des Moines run $300–$400 per square foot all-in for 2026 contracts. A 600 sqft one-bedroom DADU typically closes between $180K and $240K including permits, side-sewer connection, and electrical service work. Cost swing factors in Des Moines: soils (pier-and-beam adds $18–32K over a slab), required stormwater detention on lots over 2,000 sqft of impervious, and whether a panel upgrade to 200A is needed. Our Des Moines feasibility report gives you a ±15% number in two weeks for $1,500, credited to the build contract.

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• How long does the ADU permit take in Des Moines?

  Median Des Moines ADU permit issuance is currently 8–16 weeks from a clean submittal in 2026, faster on pre-engineered catalog plans. The bottlenecks are almost never zoning — they are side-sewer capacity letters, drainage review on lots with steep slopes, and addressing. We pull a pre-application meeting with Des Moines planning before drawings start, which typically saves one full review cycle (4–6 weeks). RCW 36.70A.681 requires WA jurisdictions to permit ADUs ministerially when zoning is met, which has trimmed median timelines roughly 30% versus 2022.

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• What size DADU can I build on my Des Moines lot?

  Under HB 1337 / RCW 36.70A.681, Des Moines must allow at least one DADU up to 1,000 sqft on any residential lot zoned for single-family, with height to 24 ft and standard 5 ft side/rear setbacks unless local code is more permissive. Many Des Moines zones allow a second ADU (stacked DADU or AADU + DADU). Your ceiling is usually lot coverage, not the 1,000 sqft cap — primary footprint + DADU + impervious drive often hits the coverage ratio first. Our zoning lookup checks both.

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• Do I need to live on the property to build a Des Moines ADU?

  No. Owner-occupancy requirements were preempted statewide by RCW 36.70A.681 — Des Moines cannot impose an owner-occupancy condition on either unit. You can build a DADU and rent both units, build for a family member while living off-site, or build to sell. Short-term rentals (≤30 days) are still governed by local STR codes; long-term rentals (30+ days) face no special restriction beyond standard landlord-tenant law (RCW 59.18).

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• Can I subdivide and sell the ADU separately in Des Moines?

  Yes, in most Des Moines zones, since the 2023 unit-lot subdivision and condominiumization changes paired with HB 1110. Two pathways: (1) unit-lot subdivision — carving a fee-simple lot around the DADU, requires a short plat (~4–6 months) and shared-driveway easements; (2) condominium declaration under RCW 64.34 — faster (~2 months) but lenders sometimes resist a 2-unit condo. We model both at feasibility because the right answer depends on hold-vs-sell horizon and current lender appetite.

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• What rental income will a Des Moines ADU generate?

  2026 Des Moines comps for a 1-bedroom DADU built to current finish standards land $1,950–$3,200/mo long-term, with mid-term (30–90 day) 10–25% higher. Net operating income after vacancy (5%), management (8%), maintenance reserve (5%), and property tax/insurance increment typically hits 62–70% of gross. At today's construction cost and rent comps the unleveraged cap on a new Des Moines DADU pencils 4.8–6.4%, with leveraged cash-on-cash 7–11% using a HELOC or renovation loan.

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• Will an ADU raise my Des Moines property taxes?

  Yes, but predictably. The county assessor adds the marginal improvement value (typically 55–70% of construction cost, not 100%) to your assessed value, and the levy rate applies to that increment under RCW 84.40.0301. For a $210K-cost DADU in Des Moines, expect roughly $1,900–$3,100/yr of additional property tax depending on your levy code area. The primary residence assessment is not reopened — only the new improvement is added.

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• What's the first step to build an ADU in Des Moines?

  Start with a paid feasibility study — not a plan set. The 12–20 page report covers Des Moines zoning analysis, setbacks and lot-coverage math, water meter sizing, side-sewer capacity, electrical service amperage, critical-areas screening, three layout options, and a ±15% budget. $1,500, credited to the build contract. This step eliminates the two most expensive surprises — undersized water service and an unmappable side sewer — before you spend $15K+ on full design.

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• Can I build a basement ADU in Des Moines?

  Yes when ceiling height, light/ventilation, and emergency egress meet IRC R310. Des Moines basements that fall short on ceiling (need 7'-0" min, 6'-8" at beams) or egress window opening (5.7 sqft net clear, 24" high, 20" wide, sill ≤44" AFF) typically need underpinning or window-well excavation. Cost band on a clean Des Moines basement conversion is $145–$220K including new full bath, kitchenette, separate exterior entry, fire separation, and dedicated panel feeder.

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• What financing works for a Des Moines ADU in 2026?

  Five common Des Moines structures: (1) HELOC against the primary, fastest, 8.0–9.5% APR, no separate appraisal; (2) renovation loan (Fannie HomeStyle / Freddie CHOICERenovation), single-close, uses after-built value, 7.1–7.9%; (3) cash-out refi, only if existing mortgage is above market; (4) construction-to-perm, best for ground-up DADUs with 12-month draw; (5) WSHFC ADU pilot at ~3.5–4.25% for owner-occupants ≤120% AMI. We coordinate with five Des Moines-area credit unions and three banks with ADU-experienced underwriters.

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• Do I need a sprinkler system for my Des Moines ADU?

  Usually no. Per IRC R313 and WA state amendments, single-family dwellings and ADUs under 5,000 sqft of fire-flow calculation area generally do not require residential sprinklers in Des Moines. Triggers that flip the answer: total combined floor area of primary + ADU exceeding 5,000 sqft, structures over three stories above grade, lots beyond fire-flow distance, or specific local fire-marshal interpretations on shared-wall AADU configurations. Verified at feasibility against the Des Moines fire marshal's current rule sheet.

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• Can I use my Des Moines ADU as a short-term rental?

  Sometimes. WA preemption under RCW 36.70A.681 forces Des Moines to allow ADUs but does not preempt short-term-rental ordinances. Some Puget Sound jurisdictions require owner-occupancy on at least one unit for STR, cap STR nights per year, or require a separate STR permit and lodging-tax registration with WA DOR. Long-term (30+ day) rentals always work. Check our Des Moines-specific STR rules before underwriting any STR-dependent pro forma.

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• What permits do I need to build an ADU in Des Moines?

  Standard Des Moines ADU permit stack: building permit (covers structural, mechanical, plumbing under combined review), side-sewer permit (separate, issued by Des Moines utilities), water meter capacity check (may trigger upsize fee), electrical permit (issued by L&I in most Des Moines unincorporated areas, by the city in Des Moines proper), and where applicable: drainage review, addressing, demolition, right-of-way for utility cut. We pull all permits on your behalf and itemize fees as a pass-through, not a markup.

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• How tall can my Des Moines DADU be?

  Most Des Moines zones now allow 24 ft to midpoint of roof for DADUs under HB 1337, with some pre-existing zones permitting up to 30 ft on larger lots. Height is measured from existing grade or ABE (Average Building Elevation), and roof overhangs typically don't count. Two-story DADUs at 22–24 ft midpoint generally fit single-family neighborhoods without bulk objections, while clearing the head-height needed for a code stair and 8 ft upper-floor ceilings.

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• Do I need parking for my Des Moines ADU?

  No new parking is required under RCW 36.70A.681 for ADUs within ½ mile of a major transit stop or in lots ≤4,000 sqft, and Des Moines's implementing code largely preserves that exemption citywide. For lots outside that band, Des Moines may require one off-street stall per ADU. Tandem parking on the existing driveway typically qualifies, which means most Des Moines lots add a DADU without adding new pavement.

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• Can I build an ADU in a Des Moines HOA?

  Sometimes. RCW 64.38.034 (effective 2024) prohibits Des Moines HOAs from banning ADUs outright on lots zoned for single-family, but HOAs may impose design covenants — siding material, roof pitch, façade articulation. We've built in Des Moines HOAs by submitting design concepts to the architectural review board in parallel with permit submittal, which keeps the schedule intact. Add 4–8 weeks for ARB review on top of city permit time.

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• What's the cheapest way to add an ADU in Des Moines?

  Garage conversion on an existing slab, kitchen on the existing plumbing wall, no electrical service upgrade, no critical-areas review. Real-world floor for a clean Des Moines conversion is $185–$235K in 2026 dollars. Below that price point you are usually looking at an unpermitted job that will not refinance, insure, or transfer at sale. The price assumes IRC R310 egress is achievable without major exterior wall surgery.

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• Do I need a drainage report for my Des Moines ADU?

  Triggered when new + replaced impervious surface exceeds the Des Moines threshold (commonly 2,000 sqft in King County / 5,000 sqft of land disturbance). Most 600 sqft DADUs with a permeable walkway stay under. Lots over the threshold need a drainage report by a WA-licensed civil engineer and may need detention — vault or rain garden — adding $8–22K. Site planning around impervious is the cheapest fix; we model it during feasibility.

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• Will my Des Moines ADU need an energy code upgrade?

  Yes — every new ADU in Des Moines is permitted to the current 2021 WSEC residential energy code (IECC R406 path 1, 2, or 3 with WA amendments). Typical compliance package: R-21 walls (R-23 effective with continuous), R-49 attic, U-0.28 windows, sealed combustion or heat-pump HVAC, ERV/HRV for IAQ, and blower-door test ≤3 ACH50. The energy package adds roughly $8–14K versus 2018 code; required regardless of finish tier.

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• Can I add a second ADU on my Des Moines lot?

  Often yes. HB 1337 requires Des Moines to allow two ADUs on lots zoned for single-family in jurisdictions over 25,000 population, configured as DADU + AADU, two AADUs, or a stacked two-unit DADU. Some Des Moines zones restrict to one ADU + JADU. Combined floor area cap is typically 2,000 sqft for both ADUs combined. We map your specific zone's ADU count at feasibility — answer depends on the parcel's zone designation, not citywide rules.

  Go deeper: Des Moines ADU zoning lookup→

• What's the difference between a DADU and AADU in Des Moines?

  A DADU (detached) is a freestanding structure separated from the primary house by at least 5 ft. An AADU (attached) shares at least one wall with the primary, typically as an addition or interior conversion with a separate entrance. Des Moines treats both under the same RCW 36.70A.681 preemption — same size cap (up to 1,000 sqft), same setback relief, same parking exemption. Cost differs: DADUs cost ~12–18% more per sqft because they need a complete envelope; AADUs share existing walls and roof.

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• Do I need a survey for my Des Moines ADU?

  Recommended in nearly every case. Des Moines reviewers require precise setback measurements from property lines, not from the curb or fence. A recent boundary survey (BLA-compliant, sealed by a WA-licensed surveyor) costs $1,200–$2,800 and locks the setback math. The exception: lots with a recent (≤5 year) recorded survey that has not been disturbed by fence or grading work. We include survey coordination in feasibility deliverables.

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• How do utility hookups work for a Des Moines ADU?

  Three utility paths in Des Moines: (1) water — extend from the existing meter if size supports flow demand; otherwise upsize meter ($3,500–$11,000 capacity fee); (2) sewer — separate side-sewer tap from main, or shared connection with cleanout, requires Des Moines utilities permit ($1,800–$4,400); (3) electrical — sub-feeder from primary panel if capacity allows, otherwise 200A service upgrade ($4,800–$9,200). Gas is optional and depends on cooktop/water-heater choice. We submit all utility paperwork in parallel with the building permit.

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• Will my Des Moines ADU need fire separation from the primary house?

  When wall-to-wall separation is less than 5 ft, IRC R302 requires 1-hour fire-rated assemblies on both exterior walls facing each other (5/8" Type X gypsum, no openings), and at separation less than 3 ft a 1-hour fire-rated assembly with sprinklers may be required by Des Moines fire marshal. Detached DADUs at 5 ft+ separation typically need no special fire rating — standard envelope assemblies satisfy code.

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• Can I sell my Des Moines ADU as a condo unit?

  Yes via condominium declaration under RCW 64.34, typically faster than unit-lot subdivision (~2 months vs 4–6) but with lender constraints — many residential lenders require a minimum 3-unit condo for conventional financing, so a 2-unit condo can limit buyer pool. Portfolio lenders and non-QM lenders work with 2-unit condos. We refer clients to a WA real-estate attorney to draft the declaration and CC&Rs; budget $4,800–$8,500 for legal.

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