ADU & DADU Construction in Tacoma, WA

ADU & DADU Construction in Tacoma, WA

Tacoma is one of the best cities in Pierce County for an ADU project. The city was an early adopter of accessory dwelling unit rules, and the housing stock makes it a natural fit. I work in the North End, Stadium District, Lincoln, McKinley Hill, and South Tacoma on both attached and detached ADU builds. Many Tacoma homes from the 1920s through 1950s already have detached garages sitting on the back of the lot, and those structures are prime candidates for conversion into livable space. South Tacoma properties tend to have larger lots with room for a standalone backyard cottage. I have been building and remodeling in Pierce County for over 20 years, and Tacoma's older homes are where I spend a good chunk of my time.

The two most common ADU projects I handle in Tacoma are garage conversions and new detached units. A detached garage conversion typically runs $78,000 to $190,000 depending on the size of the structure and how much plumbing, electrical, and insulation work it needs. Most of these old garages have concrete slab floors, single-wall framing, and no insulation, so I frame new interior walls, run electrical and plumbing, insulate to current energy code, and finish the interior with a full kitchen and bathroom. For homeowners with enough yard space, a new detached ADU (sometimes called a DADU or backyard cottage) runs $195,000 to $400,000 and gives you a fully independent 400 to 800 square foot living space. A well-built Tacoma ADU can bring in $1,400 to $2,000 per month in rental income. You can learn more about the full scope of ADU work on my ADU construction page.

Tacoma has been pro-density for years, and their ADU permitting process reflects that. The City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services handles ADU permits, and they were among the first in the state to relax restrictions on accessory dwelling units. Tacoma does not require off-street parking for ADUs, which is a major advantage on tight city lots. The city also offers pre-approved DADU plans with 4 base models in different layouts and roof styles, which can speed up permitting significantly. Washington's HB 1337 (effective July 2025) requires all cities to allow at least 2 ADUs per residential lot. Tacoma was already ahead of that law. I handle the full permit application, site plan, and inspection schedule so you are not chasing paperwork between city departments. If your property sits in a historic district, I am familiar with the additional design review that those projects require.

If you own a Tacoma home and want to add rental income, house an aging parent, or create space for an adult child, an ADU is one of the smartest investments you can make. Call me at (253) 392-9266 or request a free estimate. I will walk your property, evaluate your existing structures, and give you a fixed-price proposal with no hidden fees. Visit my Tacoma service area page for everything I offer Tacoma homeowners.