The history of the Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) in Seattle since 2019 reflects the city’s efforts to address housing shortages and promote more diverse housing options. Since the 2019 reform, the permitting of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) has experienced significant growth, with 987 ADUs permitted in 2023. This total includes 476 attached ADUs (AADUs) and 511 detached ADUs (DADUs), which is more than four times the number permitted in 2018.
Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADUs) have gained popularity in Seattle since the legislation changes in 2019. The city’s efforts to ease zoning regulations and provide design flexibility have encouraged many homeowners to explore building DADUs. Introducing pre-approved designs has streamlined the permitting process, making it easier for homeowners to add these units to their properties.
The city is committed to design flexibility guidelines for various architectural styles and sizes. This means homeowners can construct DADUs that better fit their property and neighborhood aesthetics, and the goal is to encourage more homeowners to consider building these units.
In Seattle, introducing pre-approved Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) designs represents a significant step toward addressing the city’s housing shortage and promoting more sustainable living options. These pre-approved designs streamline the permitting process, allowing homeowners to construct additional living units more quickly on their properties.
Throughout the history of the Seattle DADU, Seattle has sought to address affordability. The city introduced programs to incentivize the development of affordable housing within DADUs. This included options for homeowners to offer their DADUs as affordable rentals, contributing to the broader goal of increasing the availability of affordable housing in the area.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to shifts in housing needs, with many people reevaluating their living arrangements. This increased interest in DADUs as a solution for multigenerational living or to generate rental income in uncertain economic times.
Since the policy changes in 2019, the number of permitted DADUs has steadily increased. The city has reported a growing trend of homeowners applying for DADU permits, indicating a positive response to the new regulations.
Throughout the years, Seattle has continued to seek community feedback on the DADU policies to address any concerns and fine-tune regulations. This has included outreach to neighborhoods and stakeholders to ensure that the implementation of DADUs aligns with community needs and values.
Overall, the journey of DADUs in Seattle since 2019 has been one of attempted adaptation to evolving housing needs, with the city constantly balancing the desire for more housing with community concerns about density and neighborhood character.