Everything homeowners ask about building an ADU in Bend — answered with 2026 data.
Yes, ADUs are allowed in Any residential (and some commercial) lot or parcel whose primary use is a single-unit dwelling, townhome or manufactured home (BDC 3.6.200(B)(1); City ADU Resource Hub). Not allowed on a lot created by a middle housing land division or inside a cottage development (3.6.200(B)(1)(a)). Special rules apply in NorthWest Crossing and historic districts. ORS 197A.425 requires the City to allow at least one ADU per detached house. in Bend, OR. The maximum size for a detached ADU is 800 sq ft floor area for a single ADU; where two ADUs are built, one may be up to 800 sq ft and the other up to 500 sq ft (BDC 3.6.200(B)(3)(a)). Floor area is measured inside the exterior walls, stairs count once, and space under a ceiling lower than 5 ft is excluded (B)(3)(b). An attached garage or storage room does not count if it has no interior access to the ADU or provides the ADU's parking space (B)(3)(d). A unit over 800 sq ft is reviewed as a duplex, not an ADU. Attached ADUs can be up to Same as detached: 800 sq ft for a single ADU, or 800 sq ft + 500 sq ft when two are built. Bend has an ADU-friendliness score of 8/10. Check our full Bend ADU rules page for complete zoning details.
ADU construction in Bend typically costs $225,000-$350,000. The cost per square foot averages $280-$440. Garage conversions are more affordable at $60,000-$150,000, while prefab ADUs cost $180,000-$280,000. Permit fees add Roughly $3,000-$4,000 for a 600-800 sq ft ADU at FY2025-26 rates: building permit $1,212.58 for the first $100,000 of valuation + $7.00 per extra $1,000, plan review 65%, 12% state surcharge, 0.33% affordable-housing fee, plus trade permits. The City emails project estimates. to your budget. See our detailed Bend ADU cost guide.
Detached ADUs in Bend can be up to 800 sq ft floor area for a single ADU; where two ADUs are built, one may be up to 800 sq ft and the other up to 500 sq ft. Attached ADUs are limited to Same as detached: 800 sq ft for a single ADU, or 800 sq ft + 500 sq ft when two are built. Junior ADUs (JADUs) have a cap of N/A - Oregon has no junior ADU category. Bend's 2025 amendments instead allow a second kitchen inside the main house under BDC 2.1.1100(F) with a recorded use-compliance covenant; it is not a dwelling unit and needs no ADU permit. Maximum height is No ADU-specific limit; the zoning district's height cap applies (BDC 2.1.800): 35 ft in the UAR, RL, RS and RM-10 districts, 40 ft in RM, 50 ft in RH. You are allowed up to two ADUs per lot or parcel on a qualifying lot.
Rear setback: No ADU-specific setback; the underlying zoning district's rear setback applies (City ADU Zoning Quick Reference Guide: 'Building Setbacks: follow your zoning district's rules'). A detached ADU must sit at least 6 ft from any other dwelling on the lot, measured footprint to footprint (BDC 3.6.200(B)(5); exempt when each structure was legally built before April 1, 2016). Side setback: No ADU-specific setback; the underlying zoning district's side setback applies (City ADU Zoning Quick Reference Guide). Confirm the district table with the Planning Division (541-388-5580 ext. 3). Front setback: No ADU-specific setback; the underlying zoning district's front setback applies (City ADU Zoning Quick Reference Guide). Lot coverage and floor-area-ratio limits of BDC 2.1.700 also apply. Note that garage conversions may be exempt from setback requirements if the existing structure is already within the setback area.
None. The City's ADU Zoning Quick Reference Guide states 'No minimum on-site parking spaces required', and ORS 197A.425(1)(b)(B) bars Oregon cities from requiring ADU parking. If you do not change the existing driveway, no driveway or apron work is required. Many cities and states have been relaxing ADU parking requirements in recent years. In California, no additional parking is required for ADUs near transit.
Not required. BDC 3.6.200(B) has no owner-occupancy rule and ORS 197A.425 prohibits one (short-term-rental use excepted - see Bend's STR permit rules). Note that owner-occupancy rules vary by state law — California and several other states have eliminated this requirement for standard ADUs.
The ADU permit review timeline in Bend is typically The City's published estimate is 4-8 weeks of building-permit review, depending on application completeness and how fast you answer plan-review comments (City ADU Resource Hub). Plan check: Included in the 4-8 week building-permit review; the plan-review fee is 65% of the building permit fee. Drawings must label which rooms belong to the ADU and which to the main house. Pre-approved plans availability: 1 free pre-approved plan set (shed or gable roof), developed by the City of Eugene and offered by Bend at no cost; the plans cannot be modified and you still pay permit fees and SDCs. The City says more plans are planned.
Average ADU rental income in Bend: 1-bedroom units rent for $1,600-$2,000/month, 2-bedroom units for $1,900-$2,400/month. Short-term rentals: Restricted. Any short-term rental needs a City STR permit and annual license (BDC 3.6.500; BC 7.16). Expected ROI: 6-9% gross rental yield (estimate).
The minimum lot size for an ADU in Bend is None. BDC 3.6.200(B) sets no minimum lot size, and the zone's maximum-density standard does not apply to ADUs 'due to their small size and low occupancy'. Lot coverage and FAR limits in BDC 2.1.700 still apply. This applies to detached ADUs — garage conversions and JADUs may have different or no lot size requirements.
Garage conversions are one of the most popular and affordable ADU options. In Bend, a garage conversion typically costs $60,000-$150,000. The key advantages are lower cost (no foundation work), potential setback exemptions, and faster permitting. Read our complete garage conversion guide.
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