ADUs are allowed in Unincorporated DouglasTypes:DetachedInternal

Types:DetachedInternal

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Unincorporated Douglas, OR

Is your property eligible for an ADU?

# of Properties

32,791

Owner-occupied

37%

Zoning districts

Avg Home Value

$301,419

Median Lot Size

2.87 acres

Avg Income

$75,034

Residential Types:

32,791 housing units

Single Family

17%

2-3 Family

Apts (4+ units)

71%

Other

Zoning Districts:

52,854 parcels · 82 districts

15%(8,124)

15%(7,966)

15%(7,826)

12%(6,178)

Other

43%(22,760)

ADU Rules

What can you build in Unincorporated Douglas, OR?

Unincorporated Douglas, 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

Detached ADU Size Limits

–Maximum size of 900 sq ft for detached ADUs; historic-path ADUs from 1850–1945 homes on 2+ acre parcels are exempt from this cap.
–For urban detached ADUs, maximum of 75% of the principal dwelling’s floor area.
–Historic detached ADU maximum of 120% of the historic home's square footage (homes built 1850–1945 on parcels at least 2 acres).

Max Units

–Rural (outside UGB): 1 ADU per unit of land.
–Urban SFD lot: 1 ADU per lot/parcel.
–Historic ADU: 1 total; no additional ADU on same lot.

Owner Occupancy

–No owner-occupancy requirement

Parking

–1 space per ADU; no waivers stated; general off-street standards apply; address required per Chapter 7; stall size 9' x 18'

Rental Restrictions

–Urban ADUs: short-term rentals prohibited; Rural ADUs: vacation/short-term occupancy prohibited

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.

Douglas County

Drain Elkton Myrtle Creek Oakland Reedsport Roseburg Sutherlin Winston Yoncalla

See all municipalities in Douglas County →See all Oregon municipalities →