If you’ve been thinking about adding a backyard cottage, you’re definitely not alone.
All around Seattle, we’re talking with homeowners who are exploring Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADUs)—whether it’s for family, rental income, or just a little more breathing room at home. And in today’s housing market, a lot of people are coming to the same conclusion:
You don’t necessarily need a new house. Love the lot you’re in—and make it grow with you.
A DADU (or backyard cottage) is a fully independent home in your backyard—with its own kitchen, bathroom, and entrance. It’s a way to add real, usable living space without changing the feel of your main home—or your neighborhood.
A few years ago, building a backyard cottage in Seattle was possible—but not always practical.
That changed with the city’s 2019 zoning updates. Since then:
We’ve seen firsthand how these changes have opened the door for a lot more homeowners.
If it feels like more backyard cottages are popping up around Seattle… you’re right.
Permits for ADUs and DADUs have increased dramatically over the past several years—adding up to thousands of new homes tucked into backyards across the city.
In some recent years, Seattle has even permitted more ADUs than new single-family houses, which is a pretty big shift.
It’s no longer a niche idea—it’s becoming a normal part of how people are using their property.
We hear this all the time:
People like their neighborhood. They like their block. In many cases, they like their house.
But they need a little more space—or a different kind of space.
At the same time, moving can be expensive, competitive, and unpredictable.
So instead, more homeowners are choosing to stay put and make their current property work better for them.
A backyard cottage is one of the most flexible ways to do that.
One of the biggest benefits of a DADU is how adaptable it is over time.
We’ve seen homeowners use them for:
And those uses can change over time—which is part of what makes it such a smart long-term investment.
Let’s be honest—building a DADU in Seattle is a significant investment.
But it can also create a steady source of income.
Many homeowners choose to rent out their backyard cottage, helping offset:
With continued demand for smaller homes in Seattle, well-designed DADUs tend to stay in demand.
There’s a reason the city has made it easier to build ADUs.
Seattle needs more housing—but people also want to preserve the character of their neighborhoods.
Backyard cottages are one of the few ways to do both:
It’s a quiet shift—but an important one.
This is usually one of the first questions we get.
The honest answer: it depends on the project—but there are some general ranges.
Most DADUs we see in 2026 fall roughly into:
Costs can vary quite a bit depending on:
We’re always happy to talk through what those numbers might look like for a specific property.
Every backyard—and every homeowner—is a little different.
That’s part of what makes these projects interesting.
The right DADU depends on:
It’s not a one-size-fits-all process, and that’s okay.
If you’ve been considering a DADU, this is a great time to start exploring what’s possible.
Between more flexible zoning, strong housing demand, and rising property values, backyard cottages have become a really practical option for a lot of Seattle homeowners.
And the best place to start is usually just a conversation.
Love the lot you’re in—and let’s see what it could become.
Reach out anytime—we’re happy to take a look at your property and talk through ideas.
Just give us a call at (206) 612-6657 or fill out the form.
