Everything homeowners need to know about building an accessory dwelling unit in Everett - size limits, setbacks, permits, and the pre-approved designs the city rolled out to help you build faster.
Last verified: August 2026
8/10 · Very ADU-friendly
1,000 sq ft*
Max ADU size
24 ft*
Max height
Not required
Owner-occupancy
By-right
Permit type
This page summarizes Everett Municipal Code 19.08.100 (Accessory Dwelling Units) for general reference - it is not legal advice. Regulations change; always confirm current requirements with the City of Everett Planning Department before designing or applying for permits. See sources below.
Zoning & size requirements
What you're allowed to build
ADU type
Max size
Max height
Notes
Detached (new build or garage conversion)
The lesser of 1,000 sq ft, 15% of total lot area, or the principal dwelling's building footprint
24 ft on non-alley lots; 28 ft on alley-loaded lots
Setbacks match whatever applies to the principal building on that lot
Same formula as detached, unless the ADU occupies a single floor within the primary home, which may be exempt from the cap
Same as primary structure
Common approach for basement conversions
Allowed zoning districts
ADUs are allowed in every zoning district in Everett except Light Industrial and Heavy Industrial - from single-family neighborhoods up through zones that allow triplexes and high-rise apartments. Confirm your parcel's exact zone with the Planning Department.
Additional standards
Setbacks, parking & other rules
Setbacks
Same as required for the principal building on the lot
Parking
Reduced to zero required spaces if the property is within a half-mile walk of transit running hourly service, 7am-8pm on weekdays
Units per lot
Up to 2 ADUs permitted on qualifying lots, in addition to the principal dwelling
Owner-occupancy
Not required. Everett repealed its owner-occupancy requirement under Ordinance 3963-23 in 2023
Building code
Reviewed under the International Residential Code (IRC) for 1-2 unit dwellings; Everett falls within Seismic Design Category D2, which affects structural requirements
Short-term rental
Allowed with a city business license; capped at 2 short-term rental sites per person or entity, with a combined guest limit of 8 people per site including any ADU
Ordinance history
How Everett's ADU rules got here
2020Rethink Zoning. Everett's broad zoning code overhaul, adopted via Ordinance 3774-20 in November 2020, updated ADU regulations as part of a citywide modernization effort.
2022Further refinements. Ordinance 3901-22 made additional adjustments to the ADU regulations.
2023Major ADU reform. Ordinance 3963-23, approved by City Council in July 2023, allowed up to two ADUs per qualifying lot, eliminated owner-occupancy, removed subjective design guidelines, permitted ownership segregation so ADUs can be sold separately from the main house, raised height limits to 24 ft (28 ft on alley lots), dropped parking requirements near frequent transit, and extended ADU-eligible zoning from single-family areas up through zones that allow triplexes and high-rise apartments.
2026Pre-approved ADU designs launched. In June 2026, the city rolled out a pilot gallery of three pre-approved ADU plans (820-1,000 sq ft), aiming to cut typical permit timelines to about three months for homeowners who use one.
By mid-2023, Everett had approved 53 ADUs since 2020 with 11 more applications under review, and city planners estimated more than 19,500 parcels citywide were eligible to add one. That's a small share of Everett's roughly 23,000-unit housing target from its 2020 housing action plan - a reminder that, as in most cities, the bigger constraint tends to be construction cost and financing rather than zoning itself.
Permit process
How Everett ADU permitting works
1
Confirm zoning eligibility
ADUs are allowed in every zone except Light Industrial and Heavy Industrial - confirm your parcel and current standards with the Planning Department.
2
Choose a pre-approved design or go custom
Since June 2026, three pre-approved ADU plans (820-1,000 sq ft) are available for a designer licensing fee of roughly $1,500, cutting typical review to about three months. A custom design goes through standard plan review instead.
3
Prepare your plan set
Site plan, floor plans, elevations, and structural drawings meeting IRC standards; Everett's Seismic Design Category D2 affects foundation and structural requirements.
4
Set up utilities
Each ADU needs its own water meter, service line, and side sewer connection, plus on-site stormwater mitigation based on your drainage basin.
5
Submit for building permit review
File through Everett's Online Permitting Portal; building permit questions go to Permit Services.
6
Construction, inspections & impact fees
Park impact fees are cut 50% for your first two ADUs, transportation impact fees are waived for the first ADU (50% off the second), and school impact fees are waived entirely.
Contacts: Planning Department, planning@everettwa.gov / 425-257-8731. Permit Services, PermitServices@everettwa.gov / 425-257-8810. Fees and timelines change periodically - confirm current figures with the city.
Budgeting
What it costs to build an ADU in Everett
Garage conversion
Roughly $70,000-$180,000, the least expensive path since the shell already exists
Basement conversion
Roughly $100,000-$220,000, depending on existing ceiling height and utility access
New detached ADU
Roughly $150,000-$330,000+ for a code-compliant, fully finished freestanding unit
Pre-approved plan licensing fee (optional)
Roughly $1,500 paid to the plan provider, in exchange for a faster review timeline
Impact fees
Park fees cut 50% for your first two ADUs; transportation fees waived for the first ADU and reduced 50% for the second; school impact fees waived entirely
These are general ranges from local contractor estimates and regional reporting, not quotes - local reporting has cited completed Everett ADU projects running anywhere from about $73,000 to $450,000 depending on type and finish level. Everett's costs tend to run more moderate than the Seattle-area core, though actual cost still depends heavily on lot conditions, finishes, and utility work.
Before you apply
Tips for a smooth approval
Check out the pre-approved plans first. The Rose, Schooner, and Si designs can shrink your review timeline to roughly three months for a modest designer licensing fee.
Ask about the alley height bonus. Corner or alley-loaded lots may qualify for a taller 28 ft detached ADU instead of the standard 24 ft cap.
Budget utilities separately. Each ADU needs its own water meter, service line, and side sewer connection - a real cost that's easy to forget when comparing contractor quotes.
Take the transit-adjacent parking exemption seriously. If you're within a half-mile walk of frequent transit, you can skip parking entirely, which can free up buildable area on a tight lot.
Ask about impact fee reductions before assuming the worst. Park fees are cut 50% and transportation and school fees are partly or fully waived for your first ADU, which can meaningfully lower your total cost.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need to live on the property to build an ADU in Everett?
No. Everett repealed its owner-occupancy requirement under Ordinance 3963-23 in 2023, and Washington's 2023 statewide ADU law (HB 1337) bars cities from reinstating it.
How many ADUs can I build on one lot?
Up to two on a qualifying lot, in addition to the principal dwelling.
Do I need extra parking for an ADU?
Not if your property is within a half-mile walk of transit running hourly service. Otherwise, standard parking requirements for the underlying zone may apply.
What's the maximum size for a detached ADU?
The lesser of 1,000 sq ft, 15% of your total lot area, or the primary dwelling's building footprint, with a height limit of 24 ft (28 ft on alley-loaded lots).
How long does the permit process take?
Officials estimate roughly three months for projects using one of the city's pre-approved ADU designs; custom designs generally take longer. Confirm current timelines with the Planning Department.
How much does an ADU cost to build in Everett?
Garage conversions tend to run roughly $70,000-$180,000, basement conversions $100,000-$220,000, and new detached units $150,000-$330,000 or more, based on local contractor estimates and regional reporting. Local news coverage has cited completed Everett projects ranging from about $73,000 to $450,000 depending on type.
What are Everett's pre-approved ADU designs?
Launched in June 2026, three plans (The Rose at 820 sq ft, The Schooner at 1,000 sq ft, and The Si at 999 sq ft) are available for a designer licensing fee of roughly $1,500, in exchange for a faster path through permitting.
Does Washington's statewide ADU law change anything for Everett specifically?
Yes. HB 1337 (2023) set a floor under Everett's own rules - guaranteeing two ADUs per lot, at least 1,000 sq ft of floor area, capped impact fees, and no parking mandate near transit - and Everett's 2023 reform (Ordinance 3963-23) went further, waiving or reducing impact fees beyond the state minimum and opening ADUs to zones well beyond single-family neighborhoods.
Can I rent my ADU out on Airbnb or a short-term rental platform?
Yes, with a city business license. Everett caps short-term rentals at two sites per person or entity, with a combined guest limit of 8 people per site including any ADU.
