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Permit Application Center

555 Liberty St. SE
Room 320
Salem, OR 97301

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Ready-Build Plans for Accessory Dwelling Units

The City now offers ready-build plans that you can use to develop an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on your property. The building plans are for a detached ADU that is less than 600 square feet in size. You can use the plans with our current building permit submittal processes.

The ready-build ADU plans lower barriers to building ADUs by providing architectural plans at no additional charge and expediting the building permit process.

In partnership with the City, Video Game Design students at Salem-Keizer's Career Technical Education Center created a virtual walkthrough of the ADU that you can build with the City's free ready-build plans.

Take a virtual tour of the ADU

The Planning Division is working to expand the City’s ready-build program. If you are an architect, designer, or developer interested in partnering with the City to expand the ready-build program, contact Eunice Kim at ekim@cityofsalem.net.

How to Use Ready-Build Plans

Process for Using the Ready-Build ADU Plans

To use the City’s Ready-build ADU Plans, follow the steps below.

Determine the zoning of your property and if an ADU is allowed. If you have zoning questions, you can contact a planner by calling 503-588-6213 or emailing planning@cityofsalem.net.
If an ADU is allowed, review the special use standards for ADUs and any applicable development standards in your zone.
Contact Development Services to request a utility map and determine if there are any easements or other site limitations. Utilities, easements, and any applicable site limitations must be indicated on your site plan. You can contact Development Services by calling 503-584-4646 or by emailing developmentservices@cityofsalem.net.
Download and print the Ready-build Plans or Descargar Planos ADU en español.
Download and complete the residential water meter worksheet.
Using sheet 01 of the ready-build ADU plans, draw a site plan that indicates the location of your proposed ADU. Detailed instructions on how to draw a site plan are included at the bottom of the site plan sheet.
Select one of the two available foundation styles: slab or raised foundation. Indicate your choice on the plans by striking through the foundation option you do not wish to use and clouding the foundation option you do wish to use.
Select one of the two available roof styles: gable or shed roof. Indicate your choice on the plans by striking through the roof option you do not wish to use and clouding the roof option you do wish to use. If you select the gable roof, then work with a truss company and provide a manufacture’s truss layout and stamped truss packet. These documents are required at the time of submittal.
Submit a residential building permit application and pay the plan review fees.
Once the permit application has been processed, you will be notified on how to upload plans and documents.
Once the plans are approved, you will be notified to pay permit fees. Once paid, the permit will be issued and construction can begin.
When ready, inspections may be called in as each stage of construction is completed.

Why offer Ready-Build Plans

Salem continues to grow, and with that comes a need for more housing. The City conducted a Housing Needs Analysis in 2014 and has been working since then to promote housing affordability, availability, and choice.

With the ready-build ADU plans, Salem is again taking proactive action to provide additional tools for the community to help expedite the permitting process and encourage housing development within the community.

We would like to extend a special thank you to City of Eugene staff who enthusiastically shared their developed plans with our jurisdiction at no cost.