seattle backyard cottage blog

Backyard cottages (DADUs) provide opportunities for families, while increasing housing stock density and diversity. Continue reading for more information about Seattle's backyard cottage ordinance or contact us to find out if your lot is eligible for a backyard cottage..

Tuesday, March 26

backyard cottage open house - garage conversion

Sunday April 7th from 1-4 pm
6335 Wilson Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
(Entrance from Blair Terrace S.)



Have you been thinking about converting your garage into a backyard cottage? Join microhouse and Ncompass Cottage Company for an open house on April 7th from 1-4 pm  to view this recently constructed backyard cottage.



Mark and Alice converted their existing garage in to a backyard cottage to add more room for their growing family.  The family placed a high priority on sustainability.  To this end, we worked to maintain as much of the existing structure as possible.  The result is a 440 sq. ft. one bedroom 1 bath  cottage suitable for someone with poor mobility.

Garage conversions have their own unique benefits and challenges.  To be used as a backyard cottage a garage must be brought up to the standards of the current building code.  When evaluating whether a conversion is cost effective, rather than starting with new construction, our first consideration is the condition of the foundation.  Many garages are built with minimal foundations that do not meet current design standards.  If the existing foundation is in good condition, as it was for Mark and Alice, we can focus on other important considerations like updating systems and insulation.  

One benefit of converting an existing garage in Seattle is that special considerations are given in the zoning code for these existing structures.  These considerations can be departures from standards including lot size and setbacks.  Contact us to find out more about the permitting process and these departures.

2 comments:

  1. How difficult was permitting process for construction,electrical,plumbing etc? Did you have to make additional changes to your houses electric panel to accommodate for extra power in garage?

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  2. Seattle like most municipalities has stringent regulations for both land use and life safety issues. That said utility connections for detached accessory dwelling units are generally straight forward depending on the existing conditions. Having us come out with a contractor for a paid site visit is a great way to asses those conditions and provide planing and budgetary insight for your project.

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