Where to Start

The City strongly encourages anyone who wants to build an ADU to contact staff to talk about the zoning requirements early in the process. This will help to identify issues and pick options that will be viable for your property. For example, every property is located in a zoning district. Each zoning district has requirements for where buildings can be located on the property, how much of the lot can be covered with buildings and impervious surfaces, and the maximum building height allowed.

1. Contact us to discuss general site feasibility and to view our plans. Visit us at Poulsbo City Hall or email plan&econ@cityofpoulsbo.com and provide your name, address, phone number and a brief description of what you would like to do. 
2. Review all restrictive covenants with your Home Owner’s Association (HOA), if you have one.
3. Review our pre-approved designs. Determine if one of our permit-ready ADU’s fits your needs or if you would like to work with a designer to develop your own plans.
4. Determine financing. We suggest contacting a local lender as many of them have experience with our program.
5. Consult with a builder.
6. Apply for permits. Work with your builder and the City to secure your final permits.

Other Considerations

• While the City planner may be your first point of contact, depending on the proposal you may also need to talk with other staff about utility connections, stormwater, and building codes.
• Fire Sprinklers will be required for a new ADU if the existing house has a fire sprinkler system.
• Is the existing house served by an on-site septic system for wastewater? If yes, it may be necessary to connect to the sewer system.
• The ADU can often make use of the water and sewer connects from the street to the main house. Such connections have to be made in conformance with code requirements.
• How will the stormwater from any new impervious surfaces (roof, walkways, patios, parking areas) be handled? This must meet code requirements and the information must be included in the permit application.
• Are there any wetlands, steep slopes, or other environmentally sensitive areas on or near the property? If yes, additional setbacks (buffers) and special reports may be required before a building permit can be issued.
• A Site Plan with certain information is needed with permit application. Please see the Sample Residential Site Plan for help.
• Consider you neighbors. Think about building placement and orientation, privacy issues, fencing, landscaping, and the location of any existing solar panels.
• Reduced impact fees are required for ADUs and are charged at time of building permit issuance.
• The ADU must meet all Building Code requirements, such as the minimum size requirements for habitable structures. Habitable rooms must be at least 70 square feet (6.5m2). If a room has a sloping ceiling, any part of that room with a ceiling below 5 feet in height is not considered as habitable.