ADUs are allowed in Unincorporated DeschutesTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Unincorporated Deschutes, OR
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# of Parcels
47,265
Zoning districts
67
Zoning Districts:
48,216 parcels · 67 districts
RR10
37%(18,063)
MUA10
13%(6,455)
SURS
7%(3,429)
EFUSC
6%(3,032)
Other
36%(17,237)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Unincorporated Deschutes, OR?
Unincorporated Deschutes, OR follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: By Right
- –Detached ADU: By Right
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 900 sq ft of usable floor area for ADUs in RR-10 and MUA-10 zones
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum detached ADU size of 900 sq ft of usable floor area in RR-10 and MUA-10 zones
Max Units
- –RR-10/MUA-10 (single-family only): 1 ADU/lot
- –Historic path (RR-10/MUA-10): 1 historic ADU/lot
- –Duplex/multifamily principal: 0 ADUs
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner occupancy not required for ADUs.
Parking
- –No ADU-specific off-street parking requirement; general off-street parking rules apply (Residential Parking Table has rates for single/duplex/multi-unit dwellings; no ADU rate).
Rental Restrictions
- –Short-term/vacation rentals prohibited; vacation occupancy limited to 45 days. Historic-home ADU path: ADU and primary dwelling may not be used simultaneously for short-term rentals of ≤30 days.
ADU State Law
What can you build in Oregon?
- –In urban growth areas, Oregon law requires cities and counties to allow at least one ADU on lots zoned for detached single-family homes.
- –Local jurisdictions cannot require owner occupancy for ADUs, but may regulate short-term or vacation rentals.
- –There are no statewide limits on ADU size, height, setbacks, lot size, or floor area ratio. Local zoning rules apply.
- –Parking requirements, if any, are set by the local jurisdiction, subject to state limitations.
- –Some cities may allow more than one ADU per lot, depending on local code.
- –Oregon law does not require counties to allow ADUs in rural residential zones. Whether an ADU is allowed depends on county zoning.
- –ADUs in rural residential areas cannot be used for short-term or vacation rentals.
- –Additional requirements may apply related to wildfire risk, water supply, septic capacity, and fire access.
- –Counties may impose additional restrictions beyond state law or choose not to allow ADUs at all.
- –If a county allows ADUs, state law imposes strict limits, including a minimum 2-acre lot size, a maximum ADU size of 900 sq ft, a location within 100 ft of the primary dwelling, and a limit of one ADU per parcel.
What's allowed on your lot?
These are the municipality-wide rules. What's allowed on a specific property also depends on state laws, setbacks, floor area ratio, lot coverage, environmental constraints, topography, and other property-specific factors. Search your address on FutureLot to see what's allowed on your property.
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ADU rules in other Oregon municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Deschutes County