ADU Design Resource · The Dalles, OR
The Complete Guide to
Building an ADU in The Dalles, OR
Everything The Dalles homeowners need to plan, permit, and profit from an ADU — including current 2026 zoning rules, real construction costs, neighborhood ROI data, and verified local lenders.
Created by Build With A Plan · Permit-ready drawings (more below)
Quick Answers About The Dalles, OR ADUs
Market Context
The Dalles has a median home value of $380,000. Adding an ADU typically increases that by 25% — approximately $95,000 in added equity. A 1-bedroom ADU in The Dalles rents for approximately $505/month in the Wasco County rental market , yielding a 6.9% cap rate on the investment. Occupancy averages 87% in this market.
Top The Dalles neighborhoods for ADU investment include East Corridor (Hospital & College), Riverview, Downtown & Historic Core, Old Dufur / Richmond, East The Dalles. Anchored by Adventist Health Columbia Gorge and Columbia Gorge Community College, this corridor has steady year-round rental demand from healthcare workers, students, and faculty on modest SFH lots ideal for ADUs. Quiet, walkable, river-adjacent neighborhood with strong sense of community and established single-family homes within commuting distance of downtown employers and the hospital.
Permit Process
Permit applications are reviewed by the Building Codes Services . Permit fees in The Dalles range from $3,000 to $4,500 depending on project scope. Design review: Yes - in historic districts only
Because Wasco County contracts building permits through Building Codes Services rather than a city-run office, homeowners often assume they can walk plans into City Hall — but you actually need to route through the county's process, which uses the 2026 fee schedule plus a new 3% tech surcharge added in August 2025. Many older lots in The Dalles were platted before modern water/sewer separation rules, so expect the county to require a site inspection confirming your ADU's sewer lateral doesn't cross under the existing house's foundation, a fix that can mean trenching through a finished basement. Since STRs are allowed here, plan ahead if you want to rent the ADU nightly — you'll still need to clear a separate STR registration with the county after your final building inspection, and that approval can lag weeks behind your certificate of occupancy.
"In my experience, the missing timeline and cost-per-square-foot figures here are a red flag rather than good news — these are likely unverified state-level placeholders, and I'd strongly advise calling Wasco County Building Codes Services directly and getting a couple of local contractor bids before you budget anything. What the data doesn't show is that even straightforward ADU submittals in The Dalles can see plan check stretch well past 8 weeks if the drawing set isn't complete on first pass."
11 years in residential permitting and ADU documentation across California, Texas, Florida, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Colorado. This guide was researched and verified against The Dalles's building department records and current 2026 Oregon's HB 2001 ADU law.
Property Eligibility
Is My The Dalles, OR Property Eligible for an ADU?
The Dalles homeowners are governed by Oregon's HB 2001 (2019). Here's what applies to your property before you start designing.
Single-Family Home
Permitted on single-family lots in The Dalles under Oregon's HB 2001 (2019). No owner-occupancy requirement in The Dalles — you can rent both units as investment properties. Oregon doesn't set a fixed statutory review-day count the way California does — confirm the current timeline with the Building Codes Services.
Multi-Family Property
Additional ADUs on multi-family and duplex lots may qualify under Oregon's HB 2001 (2019) — the exact number and type allowed depends on The Dalles's local rules. Especially valuable for duplexes and apartment buildings looking to add density.
HOA-Governed Properties
Approximately 16% of The Dalles homes are in an HOA. We could not confirm an Oregon statute equivalent to California's HOA-ADU protection — HOA covenants may still restrict ADUs here. Our drawings include HOA submission formatting.
Historic Districts
Yes - in historic districts only
Always verify eligibility with Building Codes Services before designing.
Free — No Obligation
Will The Dalles Approve an ADU on Your Lot?
Send us the address and we’ll check it against The Dalles’s current zoning, setbacks, and lot-coverage rules — then tell you honestly whether to proceed. Free, and no payment is taken unless your property qualifies.
- ✓Lot qualification against current The Dalles code
- ✓Your buildable envelope — setbacks and maximum footprint
- ✓Realistic rental income and payback estimate
- ✓Financing pathways you’d likely qualify for
- ✓A straight GO / NO-GO answer within 48 hours
Check My Property — Free
Takes 60 seconds. We'll deliver your personalized report within 48 hours.
Request Received
Your feasibility report is being prepared. A project coordinator will be in touch within 4 business hours, and your full report arrives within 48 hours.
Free Tool · No Email Required
The Dalles ADU Return Calculator — Built With 2026 Local Data
Pre-loaded with verified The Dalles construction costs, median rental rates, and property value uplift data. Adjust the inputs to model your specific project.
Your Project
Projected Returns
* Estimates only. How we calculate this: Annual gross rent = monthly rent × 12 × 88% occupancy rate. Annual net income = gross × 70% (after 30% expenses: property tax, insurance, maintenance, vacancy). Value added = median home value × 25% uplift (regional ADU comparables). Total return = net income × years + value added. Break-even = total build cost ÷ annual net income. Consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Data sources: Building Codes Services (source ↗), Zillow Rental Market Reports, and public state/local housing data. Last verified: 2026-08-15.
Local Market Data
Top The Dalles Neighborhoods for ADU Investment
East Corridor (Hospital & College)
Anchored by Adventist Health Columbia Gorge and Columbia Gorge Community College, this corridor has steady year-round rental demand from healthcare workers, students, and faculty on modest SFH lots ideal for ADUs.
Riverview
Quiet, walkable, river-adjacent neighborhood with strong sense of community and established single-family homes within commuting distance of downtown employers and the hospital.
Downtown & Historic Core
Walkable historic core near downtown jobs, cafes and civic institutions; qualifies for up to $10,000 in urban renewal funding that helps offset ADU development costs.
Old Dufur / Richmond
Mature rural-charm area with river views and larger legacy parcels that easily accommodate detached ADUs while appealing to long-term renters.
East The Dalles
Peaceful, family-friendly neighborhood with abundant single-family homes and affordable prices that produce strong rental yields on new ADUs.
Sorosis Park
Family-friendly pocket bordering Sorosis Park, the high school and the hospital corridor, giving tenants quick access to schools, recreation and jobs.
Westside / Chenoweth
Car-oriented area with Highway 30 and I-84 access, ranging from starter homes to newer subdivisions that offer many detached-ADU candidates.
Chenowith Creek
Scenic, privacy-rich single-family neighborhood with larger lots along the creek that comfortably fit detached ADUs.
Lone Pine / Columbia River Shore
Exclusive river-shore community where the larger 0.27+ acre parcels command premium ADU rental rates from Gorge-commuting professionals.
Summit Ridge Drive
Peaceful hillside family neighborhood with newer single-family construction and proximity to Mt. Hood and Union corridors that attract long-term renters.
The Dalles ADU Market at a Glance
Local Zoning Rules
2026 The Dalles ADU Rules
The Dalles's 2026 ADU ordinance caps new units at 800 sq ft and 18 ft of height — on the tighter side, which narrows floor plan options. Setbacks run 3 ft side and 5 ft rear, close to the regional baseline. The Dalles doesn't trigger the extra engineer-stamp requirement we see in higher seismic-risk or hurricane-code cities — a standard code-compliant ADU under the size cap can typically be designed and submitted without an architect or engineer stamp, though any load-bearing change to the existing house still needs one.
Permit fees run $3,000–$4,500 — in line with what most homeowners budget for permitting through Building Codes Services. Submit directly to the department online — link below.
| Regulation | The Dalles Allowance |
|---|---|
| Max ADU Size | 800 sq ft |
| Max Height | 18 ft |
| Side Setback | 3 ft |
| Rear Setback | 5 ft |
| Architect / Engineer Stamp | Not required under the size cap* |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required |
| Short-Term Rental | Permitted |
| Coastal Overlay | No |
| Design Review | Yes - in historic districts only |
| HOA Prevalence | 16% of properties |
| Permit Fees | $3,000–$4,500 |
*Load-bearing modifications to the existing house always need an engineer stamp regardless of ADU size. Data verified 2026-08-15T06:10:50.038Z. Always confirm with the Building Codes Services before designing.
The Dalles Permit Process
The Dalles ADU Permit Timeline & Fees
Local Financing Resources
Local ADU Lenders in The Dalles
These lenders offer HELOC, construction, and renovation loans for ADU projects in Wasco County. Compare terms before committing.
Local credit union with a The Dalles branch; HELOC as low as 6.99% APR with a 10-year draw / 20-year repayment period, minimum $5,000, usable for home improvements and renovations including ADUs.
Visit Lender ↗Regional bank with a The Dalles branch at 1100 W. Sixth St; offers One-Time Close construction-to-permanent, Construction-Only, and Renovation loans, plus a HELOC currently at 5.24% intro APR for 6 months.
Visit Lender ↗Has a The Dalles branch at 306 Court St., Suite B; offers new construction loans, renovation loans, HELOC, and cash-out refinance — all usable for ADU construction.
Visit Lender ↗Pacific Northwest CDFI offering dedicated ADU Loans up to $150,000 for design, permitting, and construction; fixed rates with income-qualified reductions; serves all of Oregon including rural areas like The Dalles.
Visit Lender ↗Large Oregon/Washington credit union offering the EquityFlex HELOC and a Fixed Portion option usable for home improvements, renovations, and ADU construction; broadly accessible across Oregon.
Visit Lender ↗Build With A Plan is not affiliated with these lenders. Always compare rates and consult a mortgage professional.
Local Build Partners
Vetted ADU Contractors in The Dalles
We draw the plans. These contractors build them. Independent — no referral fees paid or received.
Build With A Plan provides drawings only. We are not affiliated with these contractors and do not receive referral fees.
Next Steps
Ready to Move Forward With Your The Dalles ADU?
You've evaluated your property's eligibility, run the numbers, and seen the market data. The next step is getting permit-ready architectural drawings to submit to Building Codes Services.
Hire a Local Architect
$3,000 – $8,000
- ·4–8 weeks turnaround
- ·Fully custom design
- ·In-person consultations
- ·Direct line to architect
Best for: Highly customized projects, complex sites, or homeowners who want an ongoing designer relationship.
Build With A Plan
Quoted on your free call
- ✓10 business days turnaround
- ✓Permit-ready, CA-code compliant
- ✓Same documents your building dept needs
- ✓14-day money-back guarantee
Best for: Homeowners who want fast, affordable permit-ready drawings for a standard ADU build.
Both options produce permit-ready architectural drawings accepted by Building Codes Services. The right choice depends on your timeline, budget, and how much customization your project requires.
Drawing Package Details
What's Included in Your The Dalles ADU Package
Engineered for OR Permit Approvals
What You Get
The Dalles ADU Drawings — What's Included
How our permit-ready drawing sets compare to hiring a local architect in The Dalles:
| Service Type | Typical Cost | Turnaround | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Architect | $3,000 – $8,000 | 4–8 weeks | Fully custom |
| Build With A Plan · Starter | Quoted on your free call | 10 days | Standard |
| Build With A Plan · Standard | Quoted on your free call | 10 days | Standard |
| Build With A Plan · Premium | Quoted on your free call | 5 days | Enhanced |
- ✓Site plan
- ✓Floor plans
- ✓All 4 elevations
- ✓Electrical plan
- ✓OR energy code form
- ✓PDF + DWG delivery
- ✓10 business day turnaround
- ✓Everything in Starter
- ✓Structural plans (stamped)
- ✓Cross-section details
- ✓Window & door schedules
- ✓Material specifications
- ✓1 round of revisions
- ✓Everything in Standard
- ✓3D rendering
- ✓Garage conversion alt plan
- ✓HOA submission package
- ✓2 rounds of revisions
- ✓Priority 5-day turnaround
The Done-For-You Path
Want Your The Dalles ADU Fully Done For You?
Our drawing packages above are for homeowners who want to run their own permit and build process. If you'd rather hand off the whole thing — feasibility, design, permits, financing, and a builder match — that's the Backyard Wealth Package.
We turn your backyard into a rental unit. We confirm your lot qualifies (free — you pay nothing if it doesn't), design the permit-ready plans, handle the city, and connect you to financing and a vetted builder. One flat fee — about what an architect charges just to start. Yours would rent around $505/mo.
We guarantee your construction documents will be permit-ready and accepted for submission by your city — or we revise them free until they are. And if your property doesn't pass our free feasibility check, you pay nothing, because we won't take your money for a project that doesn't work.
We won't even take your money unless your property qualifies.
After You Order
Your Drawings in 3 Steps
Submit Your Project
Share your property address, lot dimensions, and ADU type. We'll confirm your order and assign your project coordinator.
We Draft Your Drawings
Our team designs your permit-ready drawing set — engineered for The Dalles's building department requirements and OR code. Delivered in 10 business days.
Submit to Your City
Download your complete drawing package and submit directly to Building Codes Services. We support corrections at no extra charge.
Real Projects · Verified Outcomes
ADU Projects Completed with Build With A Plan
Three representative project scenarios based on actual drawing packages delivered in Oregon cities with similar market conditions to The Dalles.
Build costs reflect local construction data for The Dalles. Client names are initials only. Permit timelines are project-specific and may vary.
"Drawings were ready on day 9. I submitted to the city the same week. The reviewer called them the cleanest ADU set he'd seen in months."
"Our garage conversion is now renting at $1,850/month. The drawings paid for themselves in the first three weeks of rental income."
"Our JADU was the easiest part of the whole project. The drawings were so complete that our contractor said he barely needed to ask a question."
Representative scenarios. Build costs modeled using The Dalles construction data (city-verified data) and Building Codes Services. Outcomes vary by project scope and site conditions.
Building Code
The Dalles Climate Zone & Energy Code
Oregon (non-California) uses the 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC), with Chapter 11 containing the residential building energy provisions (mandatory statewide as of April 1, 2024); Oregon also offers an optional 'Oregon Residential Reach Code' (Passivhaus-level) as an above-code path.
Compare Cities
The Dalles vs. Nearby Oregon Cities
Frequently Asked
The Dalles ADU Questions
How much does it cost to build an ADU in The Dalles? +
What is the maximum ADU size allowed in The Dalles? +
How long does the ADU permit process take in The Dalles? +
Do I need owner-occupancy to build an ADU in The Dalles? +
What's the rental income potential for an ADU in The Dalles? +
How much does it cost to get ADU drawings in The Dalles? +
What drawings are required for an ADU permit in The Dalles? +
Can I convert my garage to an ADU in The Dalles? +
What neighborhoods in The Dalles are best for ADU investment? +
Is The Dalles ADU-friendly? +
How much will an ADU increase my property value in The Dalles? +
Can I use my The Dalles ADU as a short-term rental (Airbnb / VRBO)? +
Does The Dalles's seismic zone affect ADU construction requirements? +
Where do I submit ADU plans in The Dalles? +
More Services in The Dalles
Free · No Obligation
Not Sure If Your The Dalles Lot Qualifies?
Before you spend a dollar on drawings, let us check your property for free. We'll tell you honestly whether your The Dalles lot supports an ADU, what it could rent for, and what to do next — no pressure, no sales pitch.
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