Everett unveils pre-approved ADU designs, aims to cut permit timelines
EVERETT — The city of Everett unveiled new pre-approved housing designs on Tuesday, a move that officials hope will shorten design and permitting times for builders seeking to construct small homes, particularly accessory dwelling units.
In an industry where long wait times can cost developers money, city staff hope the designs could be a step toward allowing for more affordable home ownership opportunities — at a time where the vast majority of workers in Snohomish County can’t comfortably afford to purchase an average home.
When building a home, the first step is often to design the structure itself, said Sabrina Good, the permit services manager at the city of Everett. That process can take up to a year. Then, it has to go through permit approvals with the city, a process that can also stretch for months, depending on the housing project.
-snip-
The three pre-approved designs now available in the city, ranging from 820 to 1,000 square feet, are designed as detached accessory dwelling units, or DADUs, small homes which are intended to be built on existing residential lots where excess space allows. In Everett, they are eligible for reduced development costs and, when built under 1,200 square feet, have no parking mandates. Those rules, along with the small footprints of the homes, mean they are often a more affordable option than purchasing a single-family home.
https://www.heraldnet.com/2026/06/23/everett-unveils-pre-approved-adu-designs-aims-to-cut-permit-timelines/