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, October 31

ADU / DADU EIS comment period extended to November 16th

As required by the hearing examiner's ruling last year the city has begun the environmental impact  EIS process reviewing proposed land use code changes involving backyard cottages (DADUs) and attached accessory dwelling units (ADUs). 

The stated goal of the city is to increase the number of backyard cottages being built. The purpose of the EIS process is to assess the potential impacts of those changes to the natural and built environment. The first part of this process is the scoping phase. The scoping phase comment period has been extended 15 days to November 16th. 


What is scoping?Before we begin the environmental analysis, the scoping phase is a chance to hear your ideas for the alternatives and types of impacts we should focus on. Scoping is not when we consider whether to implement certain policy changes — that occurs after we’ve completed the EIS process, and you’ll have opportunities to weigh in on the proposal then.

To read more:  ADU EIS link to seattle.gov site

To comment:

Sunday, October 29

backyard cottage tour today

Join us for a unique opportunity to tour backyard cottages (dadus) in Fremont, Greenwood, and Ballard. Starting with an open house at 4134 1st Ave NW from 10:00 - 11:00 am.  Following the open house will be a tour of other nearby cottages. Sign up for our open house invite list for more information.





fremont backyard cottage

The comment period for the scoping phase of the proposed land use changes affecting backyard cottages (DADU EIS) ends on November 1st.  

Read More





Thursday, October 26

encouraging backyard cottages (DADUs) - tonight



As required by the hearing examiner's ruling last year the city has begun the environmental impact  EIS process reviewing proposed land use code changes involving accessory dwelling units also known as ADUs, DADUs and backyard cottages. The stated goal of the city is to increase the number of backyard cottages being built. The purpose of the EIS process is to assess the potential impacts of those changes to the natural and built environment. The first part of this process is the scoping phase.

At the start of the EIS process, we invite the public to comment on what we should study during a specific scoping period. The scoping period alerts us to areas of concern early in the process. During this period, the public helps us identify topics that need the most thorough review and the range of issues we should study.

To read more and comment ADU EIS

To participate and learn about the EIS process and proposed land use code changes you can also attend one of two public meetings.

October 26, 2017, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Hale's Ales (in the Palladium)
4301 Leary Way NW

To tour nearby backyard cottages and see what all of the fuss is about sign up for our open house invite list.

Thursday, October 19

backyard cottage tour October 29th

Join us for a unique opportunity to tour backyard cottages (dadus) in Fremont, Greenwood, and Ballard. Starting with an open house at 4134 1st Ave NW from 10:00 - 11:00 am.  Following the open house will be a tour of other nearby cottages. Sign up for our open house invite list for more information.





fremont backyard cottage

The cottage features treetop views of downtown, vaulted ceilings, two green roofs and a small deck.  The owner acted as the general contractor for the project and did most of the construction work himself, including the hand stenciled paper mache floors.






The garage set up for a movie screening in honor of parking day

This cottage has the distinction of being built over, not a garage, but a room for table tennis. The logic being that once that was built why not build a cottage on top. Fast forward to today and the owner's are living in their new backyard cottage and renting out their larger primary residence.

Please note that the cottage is not readily visible from the street. Outside of open house hours please be respectful of the privacy of the owner's, their tenants and neighbors.

Friday, October 13

columbia city farmhouse

This small cottage was designed using the same principals we use for our backyard cottages but is a little bit bigger.  The house is designed for the owner's family of four and contains three bedrooms and two bathrooms.  The total area of the cottage is 1,100 sq. ft. The house sits on a newly segregated 3,000 sq. ft. lot. It is placed back against the alley to preserve a number of mature trees located in the front yard. Because the lot is under 3,200 sq. ft. in size the cottage went through administrative design review which required posting of the project and a public comment period.  The comments received praised the design reflecting the character and scale of the neighborhood. 


The cottage owner, from Seattle but currently living in Brooklyn, understands small spaces and we were on the same page when we set out to design a new house for him and his family in columbia city.  


The traditional front porch features reclaimed lath as an accent which is continued on throughout the house.



A compact kitchen is located in the center of the main floor and features an island and a window bench seat. We used a built in but open book shelf to segregate the study from the rest of the open 1st floor.  In the near term this allows separation without making the rooms feel too small. It also allows for this area to be converted into a bedroom if having a bedroom on the ground floor becomes a necessity. A full bath and back door are located off of the study.  






Exposed fir t&g ceilings with fir beams and custom joist hangers. Shiplap clad walls.





Changes in ceiling finish were used to create rooms within rooms with exposed t&g fir car decking and exposed joists as the ceiling in the living room and study and a soffitted ceiling over the kitchen.  


The stairs lead up from the entry.  A back door is located under the stair and adjacent to the ground floor bathroom.


Upstairs the cottage features three bedrooms and bathroom. The flooring throughout is fir t&g which is also the ceiling viewed from the main floor.


The bedrooms are compact. The largest two measuring 12 ft. x 12 ft. but feature vaulted ceilings and rustic finishes including the car decking floor and t&g walls and ceiling.



Tuesday, October 3

backyard cottage EIS comment period starts

The comment period runs through November 1st, 2017




the rainier valley cottage - currently used as a short term rental

As required by the hearing examiner's ruling last year the city has begun the environmental impact  EIS process reviewing proposed land use code changes involving backyard cottages. The stated goal of the city is to increase the number of backyard cottages being built. The purpose of the EIS process is to assess the potential impacts of those changes to the natural and built environment. The first part of this process is the scoping phase.

At the start of the EIS process, we invite the public to comment on what we should study during a specific scoping period. The scoping period alerts us to areas of concern early in the process. During this period, the public helps us identify topics that need the most thorough review and the range of issues we should study.

To read more and comment ADU EIS

To participate and learn about the EIS process and proposed land use code changes you can also attend one of two public meetings.


  • October 17, 2017, 6:00-7:30 p.m. 
    Location: High Point Community Center, 6920 34th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126
  • October 26, 2017, 6:00-7:30 p.m. 
    Location: Hale’s Ales (in the Palladium), 4301 Leary Way NW, Seattle, WA 98107