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Portland ADU questions, answered

Each guide opens with the short answer, then covers the details and the cases where it depends. Every rule is dated and sourced.

Updated October 2026

How much does an ADU cost in Portland?

Published 2026 price ranges, the fees Portland can add, and what moves the number.

Yes, with a 10-year short-term rental covenant. How the waiver works and what it covers.

Often. The street, lot size, overlay and visitability tests that decide it.

Possibly, with a permit and a resident on site, unless you took the SDC waiver.

800 sq ft or 75% of the house, the basement exception and height limits.

Not under state law, and owners do not have to live on site either.

Send us your address and a line about your plans. We look up the zoning, lot size and overlays, then tell you which ADU types are realistic.

Serving Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie and Gresham.