Garage Conversion Drawings · Burien, WA
Permit-Ready Garage Conversion
Drawings for Burien, WA
Convert your garage into permitted living space or a rental unit. We deliver complete, code-compliant drawing sets ready for Burien's building department — in 10 business days, starting at $997.
14-day money-back guarantee · 10 business day turnaround
Local Intelligence
What Burien Homeowners Need to Know Before Submitting
Size & Zoning Rules
Converting your garage to a legal rental unit means the finished space must comply with Burien's ADU size limits. Burien's current ADU size cap is 1,000 sq ft — within the typical range for most floor plan configurations.
Burien 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 Burien can command approximately $1,595/month as a 1-bedroom rental — far more than leaving the space as storage.
Permit Process & Fees
Department of Community Development permit fees for this project type typically range from $3,601 to $4,261 depending on project valuation and scope. Plan check runs approximately 9.3 weeks — though each correction cycle adds 3–6 weeks, which is why code-compliant drawings matter so much.
Garage conversion drawings submitted to Department of Community Development 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 Department of Community Development ↗Construction Cost Context
Burien's garage conversion construction costs run $315–$580 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 Burien
Because Burien sits within the Puget Sound coastal overlay, any lot near the shoreline jurisdiction will need a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit reviewed alongside your building permit — this typically tacks on 6-8 extra weeks beyond the standard timeline, since King County's shoreline staff review on a separate cycle from Burien's own Department of Community Development. On top of that, because the city sits in Seismic Design Category D2, plan reviewers routinely kick back ADU foundation designs that don't include a stamped lateral load analysis, which catches a lot of homeowners who assumed a standard slab-on-grade would pass. If your lot was platted before King County's 1990s sewer expansion, you'll also want to confirm your side sewer stub can handle a second unit — several older Burien neighborhoods still run on shared laterals that require a side sewer availability letter before the county will sign off on utility permits.
Expert Verdict — Marcus Reid, Licensed Designer
"In my experience with Burien ADU projects, that $450/sqft figure is a Burien state-level estimate, so I'd get at least two local contractor quotes before penciling out your budget — and since this parcel falls under coastal overlay, expect the CDP review to tack on real time beyond that tidy 9.3-week permit window. What the data doesn't show is that shoreline-adjacent submittals almost always draw extra scrutiny, so I'd call the Department of Community Development directly to ask about current CDP queue times before committing to a schedule."
Market Context
Burien has a median home value of $440,000. Comparable renovation projects in this market typically add 28% to resale value.
Neighborhoods in Burien with the strongest garage conversion and rental-unit potential include Northeast Burien, Sunnydale, Cedarhurst, Five Corners, Gregory Heights. High single-family density, affordable median price, and good transit access to SeaTac/Seattle make this ideal for ADUs.
Permit Process
Permit applications are reviewed by the Department of Community Development, with a plan check timeline of approximately 9.3 weeks. Permit fees in Burien range from $3,601 to $4,261 depending on project scope. Design review: Yes - in Old Burien overlay and in R-4/R-5/Mixed-Use zones (administrative design review); otherwise No (ministerial building permit).
Burien falls within Seismic Design Category Seismic Design Category D2, which affects structural requirements for converted garage walls and foundations.
Properties within Burien's Coastal Overlay Zone require a Coastal Development Permit in addition to standard building permits.
Local Financing Resources
Local Garage Conversion Lenders in Burien
These lenders offer HELOC, construction, and renovation loans for garage conversion projects in King County. Compare terms before committing.
Offers construction-to-permanent loans up to $3 million and HELOCs with variable APRs, with a dedicated advisor for the Burien area.
Visit Lender ↗Provides two-time-close construction financing for major renovations and HELOCs with a maximum LTV of 70% for non-owner occupied properties.
Visit Lender ↗Offers HELOCs with a 10-year draw period and revolving credit lines suitable for phased ADU renovation projects.
Visit Lender ↗A community bank with a Burien branch offering specialized home construction loans for building from the ground up or major remodels.
Visit Lender ↗A specialty fintech platform that partners with credit unions to offer renovation-specific loans based on the home's after-renovation value.
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 Burien
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.
Drawing Package Details
What's Included in Your Burien Garage Conversion Package
Transparent Pricing
Burien Garage Conversion Drawing Packages
One-time fee. No retainer. No hourly billing.
- ✓Site plan
- ✓Floor plans
- ✓All 4 elevations
- ✓Electrical plan
- ✓Title 24 energy 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 Burien's building department requirements and WA code. Delivered in 10 business days.
Submit to Your Building Dept
Download your complete package and submit to Department of Community Development. We support plan check corrections at no extra charge.
Common Questions
Burien Garage Conversion FAQs
Is a garage conversion allowed in Burien? +
Yes — garage conversions are permitted in Burien. Washington state law allows 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 Burien? +
Garage conversions in Burien typically range from $110,000 to $242,000 depending on the existing structure, finish level, and scope of work. This is significantly less than building a new detached ADU. Our drawing package starts at $997 — a fraction of what a local architect would charge for the same permit-ready set.
What drawings are required to permit a garage conversion in Burien? +
Burien'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 (Title 24 in California). 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 Burien? +
Plan check in Burien typically takes approximately 9.3 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 Burien? +
Yes — a permitted garage conversion can function as a standalone rental unit (ADU or JADU depending on size). In California, converted garages under 500 sq ft qualify as Junior ADUs (JADUs), while larger conversions qualify as full ADUs. Both can be rented long-term. Short-term rental rules vary by city — confirm with Burien'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 WA energy code requirements, which we handle in the Title 24 compliance documentation.
How much does it cost to get garage conversion drawings in Burien? +
Our permit-ready garage conversion drawing packages for Burien start at $997. Local architects typically charge $2,500–$6,000 for the same set. Every package is engineered for WA code compliance and formatted for Burien's building department. Turnaround is 10 business days with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Will converting my garage increase my home's value in Burien? +
A permitted garage conversion in Burien adds rentable square footage to a home currently valued around $440,000. 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 Burien
Need full ADU design drawings instead?
Next Steps
Ready to Move Forward With Your Burien 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 Department of Community Development.
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
$997 – $2,997
- ✓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 Department of Community Development. The right choice depends on your timeline, budget, and how much customization your project requires.