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ADU Design for Kittitas County Properties
An accessory dwelling unit is a smaller, independent living space on the same property as your primary home, and it's one of the most practical investments a Kittitas County landowner can make right now. Whether the goal is rental income from Suncadia and Roslyn visitors, a private space for aging parents or returning adult kids, or a long-term caretaker unit on a rural parcel, a well-designed ADU pays for itself in ways most home improvements don't.
Henrichsen Design works with Kittitas County property owners to design ADUs that fit the land, meet county requirements, and look like they belong rather than an afterthought dropped in the backyard.
What Kittitas County Requires
ADU rules in Kittitas County are specific to your zoning and location, and they're worth understanding before you invest time in design. Here's the short version for rural and resource lands: (NOTE: ADU rules and regulations are changing in July of 2026 in most jurisdictions)
I'll help you understand what applies to your specific parcel before any design work begins.
Designing for This Place
An ADU in Kittitas County isn't the same as one in a Seattle suburb. Rural sites here often involve steep terrain, limited utility access, high snow loads, and wildfire interface considerations that have to be baked into the design from day one. The structural requirements for a 600-square-foot guest cottage at 2,800 feet elevation are meaningfully different from those at lower elevations, and getting them right matters for your permit approval and long-term maintenance costs.
I use 3D design software so you can see exactly how the ADU will sit on your property relative to the main home, access, and natural features before anything goes to the county.
The ADU Design Process
Site evaluation: We look at your parcel's zoning, lot size, setbacks, existing structures, utility capacity, and terrain to determine what's feasible.
Design: I develop a plan that fits your program (studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom), respects your budget, and works within Kittitas County's size and setback requirements.
Permit documents: I prepare a full permit set (site plan, floor plans, foundation plan, framing plans, sections, elevations, construction details, and energy code compliance) and aid you with the administrative use permit application with Kittitas County CDS.
Common Uses in Kittitas County
If you own rural land in Kittitas County and have wondered whether an ADU is feasible, the best first step is a conversation. Most people are surprised by what's possible.
An accessory dwelling unit is a smaller, independent living space on the same property as your primary home, and it's one of the most practical investments a Kittitas County landowner can make right now. Whether the goal is rental income from Suncadia and Roslyn visitors, a private space for aging parents or returning adult kids, or a long-term caretaker unit on a rural parcel, a well-designed ADU pays for itself in ways most home improvements don't.
Henrichsen Design works with Kittitas County property owners to design ADUs that fit the land, meet county requirements, and look like they belong rather than an afterthought dropped in the backyard.
What Kittitas County Requires
ADU rules in Kittitas County are specific to your zoning and location, and they're worth understanding before you invest time in design. Here's the short version for rural and resource lands: (NOTE: ADU rules and regulations are changing in July of 2026 in most jurisdictions)
- Minimum parcel size: 3 acres for Rural Non-LAMIRD zones; 6,000 sq ft for Rural LAMIRD areas
- Maximum size: 1,500 square feet
- Permit type: Administrative Use Permit (current fee: $1,570)
- One ADU per parcel: Only one accessory dwelling unit is allowed per lot (soon to be two in incorporated areas)
- Setbacks: Must meet the setback requirements for your specific zone
- Utilities: Must meet Kittitas County Health Department standards for potable water and sewage disposal, which means your existing septic and well need to be evaluated as part of the process
I'll help you understand what applies to your specific parcel before any design work begins.
Designing for This Place
An ADU in Kittitas County isn't the same as one in a Seattle suburb. Rural sites here often involve steep terrain, limited utility access, high snow loads, and wildfire interface considerations that have to be baked into the design from day one. The structural requirements for a 600-square-foot guest cottage at 2,800 feet elevation are meaningfully different from those at lower elevations, and getting them right matters for your permit approval and long-term maintenance costs.
I use 3D design software so you can see exactly how the ADU will sit on your property relative to the main home, access, and natural features before anything goes to the county.
The ADU Design Process
Site evaluation: We look at your parcel's zoning, lot size, setbacks, existing structures, utility capacity, and terrain to determine what's feasible.
Design: I develop a plan that fits your program (studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom), respects your budget, and works within Kittitas County's size and setback requirements.
Permit documents: I prepare a full permit set (site plan, floor plans, foundation plan, framing plans, sections, elevations, construction details, and energy code compliance) and aid you with the administrative use permit application with Kittitas County CDS.
Common Uses in Kittitas County
- Short-term rental income (Suncadia, Roslyn, and Cle Elum draw significant vacation traffic)
- Long-term rental for workforce housing
- Multigenerational living: parents, adult children, or in-laws with their own dedicated space
- Caretaker or farm worker housing on agricultural parcels
- Private guest quarters or home office with separation from the main house
If you own rural land in Kittitas County and have wondered whether an ADU is feasible, the best first step is a conversation. Most people are surprised by what's possible.