backyard cottages - spotlight auburn washington

Auburn like many cities has developed a comprehensive plan to develop strategies and policies to sustain and enhance those attributes that currently make it a desirable place to live. 


The City identified accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as one viable strategy to help meet the dual goals of increasing housing options and density while maintaining and enhancing the quality of the community. The initial inclusion of attached ADUs was one step.  Then seeking greater flexibility and following the example of other northwest cities like Portland Oregon, Auburn revised their zoning code further.  In June of 2009 Auburn began allowing detached accessory dwelling units (backyard cottages) in all residential zones.  


The general requirements for a backyard cottages in the City of Auburn:


Size:              not to exceed 50% of the primary residence or 950 sq. ft. whichever is less.
Style:              to match primary residence
Parking:         1 additional space.
Occupancy:   owner occupancy required in one of the two units.

build a cottage to support the non-profit community

The City of Seattle depends on over 440 volunteers in addition to other nonprofit workers to meet basic needs and create healthy communities for all of its residents.  However, the cost of housing in Seattle has increasingly become a barrier for young people wishing to serve in this community.

Microhouse has been working with a property owner in Vancouver to develop a small affordable housing prototype for homeless youth and for social workers.  The same idea can work Seattle and other cities with high rental rates and allowances for backyard cottages. Backyard cottage (detached accessory dwelling units) ordinances allow homeowners to build cottages on their lots.  Why is this important? It essentially provides free land, a barrier to affordable housing. It also allows individuals to take a primary role in supporting the non-profit community and to benefit materially as well. A small cottage can be built and financed for less than the equivalent in market rent, allowing the individual home owner to subsidize the volunteer to the degree that they are comfortable with. Construction financing for the service module with a 10 year home equity line of credit will be approximately $550/month. When compared with an average monthly rent of $980.

Building and leasing to the nonprofit community allows for:  

• Affordable housing for volunteers who work in your neighborhood 
• Access to a large pool of employed, responsible tenants 
• Your engaged support of the nonprofit community 
• Rents equivalent to development costs or subsidized at your discretion
• Additional household income from renting

congregate housing for seniors

Congregate housing is a great idea for seniors who need more care than they can afford on an individual basis. The congregate model allows seniors to share some basic services and care with up to eight others. In Seattle congregate housing is allowed on residentially zoned lots which makes it more affordable and allows the senior housing to be located in residential neighborhoods near families. 

   oma cottage

The oma cottage was developed with help from Husky Senior Care to provide an pleasant living environment for seniors. It features a front porch, a bay window eating nook with bench seating, 1 bedroom, 1 full bath and a small kitchenette.  The oma cottage is 350 sq. ft. and measures 22 ft. x 18 ft.  It can be used as a stand alone cottage or as part of collection congregate cottages.  

cottage plan

congregate cottage garden view

PNA home design and remodel fair

This years PNA Home Design and Remodel fair Sunday, January 30th.  Join us to learn more about backyard cottages and small house design.  Two of our partners, Ncompass Cottage Company and ANR Landscape Design, will also be exhibiting at the PNA show.  Allowing us to able to talk you through all phases of your project from schematic design through permitting and construction. We will be located in the north east corner of the red room.


Phinney Home Fair

bellevue backyard cottages ( detached ADU's)

Bellevue is considering adding a backyard cottage ( detached accessory dwelling unit ) provision to their zoning code. Most likely they will be limited to 800 sq. ft. in size or a percentage of the floor area of the primary residence. As with most other jurisdictions owner occupancy will be required in either the primary residence or the cottage. They want to know what the public thinks and they are conducting a survey. Take a moment to fill out the detached ADU survey. To see examples of backyard cottage designs visit the backyard cottage plans page of our website.

Bellevue Backyard Cottage Survey

best lots for backyard cottages

What are the best lot for backyard cottages? The simple answer may be a lot meeting the minimum lot requirements, relatively flat with alley access and ready access to water and sewer. The true answer is much more nuanced.  A flat site may minimize site costs and alley access certainly provides parking options but challenging sites may ultimately inform and result in the best designs. A case in point is the eco cottage we are designing in Seattle's magnolia neighborhood. Here the steep slope provides an option for an attached tower with a bonus room that can be part of the cottage or used by the primary residence as a home office connected by a bridge. The slope also provides a nice separation and privacy for the residents of the two structures even though they are located on a fairly small lot.

Beyond the physical aspects of the site there is a social component as well.  A lot close to amenities such transportation, family and work will be a better value for anyone who lives there.

ECHO housing and backyard cottages

Elderly Cottage Housing Opportunities ECHO for short generally refers to temporary prefab housing units placed behind a home to provide a home for an elderly parent or a caretaker. They have been around since the 1970's and have been gaining popularity recently. No doubt in part because of the rising cost of care.

Most people hope to age in place, a catch phrase for seniors living at home as long as possible.  And why wouldn't we want to grow old near the families and the communities that support us? ECHO housing because it can incorporate universal design and health monitoring systems is able to prolong the period of in-home residence. Because it can be located on the same lot as a family member's house, or can be lived in by family member, they can provide a invaluable part of a multi-generational living experience.

The recent expansion of backyard cottage ordinances is an exciting development for aging in place and ECHO housing advocates.  Unlike temporary housing units available the past, increasing numbers of municipalities are allowing site built backyard cottages.  These cottages can be an attractive addition to a home that will add to the properties value. Temporary structures on the other hand, have a short life span and become a long term liability for the homeowner. Site built backyard cottages may also be financed with an inexpensive equity line of credit often available to seniors who have built up equity in their homes but have limited incomes.

To view a partial list of municipalities that allow backyard cottages check out our backyard cottages other cities page or contact us directly.