Seattle’s Residential Backyard Cottage program, called ADUniverse, offers homeowners a growing collection of pre-approved backyard cottage designs in a variety of styles, sizes, and floor plans. These professionally designed DADUs have been reviewed by the City and can provide a faster, more streamlined path from concept to construction. Instead of starting from scratch with an architect, homeowners can select a design that fits their needs and purchase the plans for use on their property.

Pre-approved designs are not one-size-fits-all. Many plans can be modified to better suit your lot, lifestyle, or aesthetic preferences while still benefiting from the efficiencies of an established design. Ballard Backyard Cottages has built many of Seattle’s pre-approved DADU designs and can help homeowners evaluate which plans are a good fit for their property.

For homeowners looking to simplify the design process, a pre-approved DADU can be an excellent alternative to a fully custom project. These plans are especially well-suited to efficient construction methods, including SIP panel construction, which can help reduce build time and improve energy performance. Whether you’re creating space for family, guests, a home office, or rental income, a pre-approved design can be a practical and cost-effective place to start.