Top 5 things to look for in a property when you want to build a DADU in Tacoma, WA

In this blog post we will break down the top 5 things to look for if you are buying a home in Tacoma and want to build a DADU (detached accessory dwelling unit).

1. Large backyard:

   This is the most important aspect when shopping for a house to buy that you want build a DADU (detached accessory dwelling unit) on for pretty obvious reasons- room to build! If the backyard is too small, adding an additional house simply won’t work. Look for large lots, or a smaller lot where the main house is set close to the street in the front. Ideally the property is sewer connected, not on a septic system as this can limit the area where a DADU can be built.

2. A level lot:

   Take a look at the backyard, and make sure that it is flat and isn’t sloping downward or upward. While you are able to potentially add your DADU on a sloped lot, this can add in extra costs when considering utilities such as electrical and sewer. If your backyard slopes down for example, that makes installing the sewer line extremely difficult because of the slope required to tie into your existing sewer line at the front of the house. If your backyard slopes up from the house, this is less of a problem because you’re able to meet the grade of the sewer line, but retaining walls and extra excavation may be required. don’t want the backyard to go up., Utilities and sewer… electrical underground through neighboring property. Sewer maybe $20k because you have to go 8-9 feet to get garage converted. 

3. An alley:

   While this isn’t 100 percent necessary, having a house with an alley can often make access for construction and for the future tenant much easier. They won’t have to come from the front of the street. This option allows you to potentially create parking off the alley which can be nice for future tenants, and an enticing feature making it easier to rent out. Creating dedicated parking and separate access gives the feeling of more privacy.

4. Adequate square footage to support a reasonable sized DADU:

   A DADU cannot be bigger than 85% of the square footage of the mian house. Meaning, if your house is 1000 sq ft, you can only build an 850sq ft ADU. While you may like small houses, if you’re planning on doing a DADU, you may want to purchase a larger house, so that you can support the size of ADU that you are wanting. two bedrooms etc. One sub that talks about the breakdown– have the footprint rule, sq footage rule and lot sq footage. 

5. Look for a house that is at least two stories high:

   The height of the DADU cannot be taller than the primary house. With this knowledge, it’s an easy decision to choose a two story home instead of a rambler so that if you desire, you can do a two story DADU! There are a handful of guidelines that go into building a DADU, and having a two-story home gives you the most options.