Garage Conversion Drawings · The Dalles, OR
Permit-Ready Garage Conversion
Drawings for The Dalles, OR
Convert your garage into permitted living space or a rental unit. We deliver complete,
code-compliant drawing sets ready for The Dalles's building department — 14-day money-back guarantee.
14-day money-back guarantee · 10 business day turnaround
Local Intelligence
What The Dalles Homeowners Need to Know Before Submitting
Size & Zoning Rules
Converting your garage to a legal rental unit means the finished space must comply with The Dalles's ADU size limits. The Dalles's current ADU size cap is 800 sq ft — within the typical range for most floor plan configurations.
The Dalles does not impose an owner-occupancy requirement, so you can rent both the main home and any ADU or conversion as investment units.
A fully permitted, code-compliant garage conversion in The Dalles can command approximately $505/month as a 1-bedroom rental — far more than leaving the space as storage.
Permit Process & Fees
Building Codes Services permit fees for this project type typically range from $3,000 to $4,500 depending on project valuation and scope.
Garage conversion drawings submitted to Building Codes Services must include a site plan, floor plans, all four elevations, an electrical plan, and energy compliance documentation — plus stamped structural plans are typically required for converted garages that are detached or require seismic upgrades.
Visit Building Codes Services ↗Construction Cost Context
The Dalles's garage conversion construction costs run $267–$400 per square foot — a wide range driven by labor markets, local code complexity, and finish level. Our drawings are priced at a fraction of what a full-service architect would charge to produce the same permit set.
⚠ Common Pitfall in The Dalles
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.
Expert Verdict — Marcus Reid, Licensed Designer
"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."
Market Context
The Dalles has a median home value of $380,000. Comparable renovation projects in this market typically add 25% to resale value.
Neighborhoods in The Dalles with the strongest garage conversion and rental-unit potential 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.
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.
The Dalles falls within Seismic Design Category C, which affects structural requirements for converted garage walls and foundations.
Local Financing Resources
Local Garage Conversion Lenders in The Dalles
These lenders offer HELOC, construction, and renovation loans for garage conversion 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 Garage Conversion Contractors in The Dalles
We draw the plans. These contractors build the conversion. 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.
Free — No Obligation
Can Your The Dalles Garage Legally Become Living Space?
Not every garage qualifies. Send us the address and we’ll check ceiling height, setbacks, parking-replacement rules, and what The Dalles will actually permit — before you spend anything.
- ✓Whether your garage meets The Dalles conversion rules
- ✓Parking-replacement requirements that catch most owners out
- ✓Ceiling height, egress, and fire-separation checks
- ✓What the finished space could rent for
- ✓A straight answer within 48 hours
Check My Garage — 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.
Drawing Package Details
What's Included in Your The Dalles Garage Conversion Package
What You Get
What's in Your The Dalles Garage Conversion Package
One-time fee, no retainer, no hourly billing — your exact scope and price confirmed on a free call.
- ✓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
- ✓HOA submission package
- ✓ADU conversion alt plan
- ✓2 rounds of revisions
- ✓Priority 5-day turnaround
After You Order
Your Conversion Drawings in 3 Steps
Submit Your Garage Details
Share your property address, garage dimensions, and intended use (ADU, rental, home office). We confirm your order and assign your project coordinator within 4 business hours.
We Draft Your Drawings
Our team designs your complete conversion drawing set — engineered for The Dalles's building department requirements and OR code. Delivered in 10 business days.
Submit to Your Building Dept
Download your complete package and submit to Building Codes Services. We support plan check corrections at no extra charge.
Common Questions
The Dalles Garage Conversion FAQs
Is a garage conversion allowed in The Dalles? +
Yes — garage conversions are permitted in The Dalles. Oregon state law allow homeowners to convert an attached or detached garage into habitable living space or an ADU. A building permit and permit-ready drawings are required before work begins.
How much does a garage conversion cost in The Dalles? +
Garage conversions in The Dalles typically range from $115,000 to $253,000 depending on the existing structure, finish level, and scope of work. This is significantly less than building a new detached ADU. Contact us to discuss drawing package options for your project.
What drawings are required to permit a garage conversion in The Dalles? +
The Dalles's building department requires: a site plan showing the converted garage's location on the lot, floor plans with dimensions and room labels, all four exterior elevations, an electrical plan, and energy compliance documentation (the Oregon Residential Energy Efficiency Specialty Code). Our Starter package covers all of these. If the garage is detached or the structure requires seismic upgrades, stamped structural drawings are also required — included in our Premium package.
How long does the permit process take for a garage conversion in The Dalles? +
Plan check in The Dalles typically takes approximately 6 weeks. Having complete, code-compliant drawings dramatically reduces correction cycles — which each add 3–6 weeks. Our drawings are designed to pass on the first submittal.
Can I convert my garage into a rental unit in The Dalles? +
Yes — a permitted garage conversion can function as a standalone rental unit (an ADU, or a similar accessory-unit category depending on Oregon's and The Dalles's local rules). It can be rented long-term. Short-term rental rules vary by city — confirm with The Dalles's planning department.
Do I need to replace the garage door opening when converting? +
Yes. The garage door must be replaced with an insulated wall with a standard entry door and at least one egress window (minimum 5.7 sq ft clear opening). This is captured in our elevation drawings and flagged in the electrical plan. The new wall must also meet OR energy code requirements, which we handle in the OR energy code compliance documentation.
How much does it cost to get garage conversion drawings in The Dalles? +
Our permit-ready garage conversion drawing packages for The Dalles include floor plans, elevations, electrical, and energy compliance — everything your building department needs. Every package is engineered for OR code compliance and formatted for The Dalles's building department. 14-day money-back guarantee.
Will converting my garage increase my home's value in The Dalles? +
A permitted garage conversion in The Dalles adds rentable square footage to a home currently valued around $380,000. Converted spaces typically appraise as habitable square footage, increasing the home's value. As an ADU or JADU, the rental income stream is also capitalized into the appraised value — typically at a 5–6% cap rate.
Also Available in The Dalles
Need full ADU design drawings instead?
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.