The ADU HUB
The Washoe County Accessory Dwelling Unit HUB
Welcome to Washoe County’s centralized information guide to completing an attached or detached independent living unit project on your property.
Additional living spaces on a property are called accessory dwelling units or ADU’s. Below are the categories of ADU’s as defined in local government adopted codes.
| A detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU), is a fully independent living area located in a separate structure from the main house. | A junior accessory dwelling unit, (under 500 sq ft.) is smaller in size allowing for placement closer to the property line. | An attached accessory dwelling unit (AADU), is a living area located within or attached to the main house. |
Customized separate structures, modular homes, manufactured homes, in-law units or tiny homes are all options for additional living areas in unincorporated Washoe County, Nevada. Owners may also modify an existing home. The requirement is that they meet local building code and zoning requirements.
Construction Time
* Construction phases are subject to vary
Typical project timelines are 18 months to two years to complete an ADU. This considers time for planning, design, permitting and construction.
To help reduce this timeframe, Washoe County offers a Plan Gallery of designs that have been preapproved for the structure. Using Preapproved plans can potentially save months of time during the planning, design, and permitting of a project.
Design Professionals: Submit Plans
Designers feature your preapproved ADU designs on the Washoe County ADU HUB – for review by homeowners exploring ADU opportunities in our community. Visit the Designer HUB for more information on how submit today!