Garage Conversion Drawings · Des Moines, WA
Permit-Ready Garage Conversion
Drawings for Des Moines, WA
Convert your garage into permitted living space or a rental unit. We deliver complete,
code-compliant drawing sets ready for Des Moines's building department — 14-day money-back guarantee.
14-day money-back guarantee · 10 business day turnaround
Local Intelligence
What Des Moines Homeowners Need to Know Before Submitting
Size & Zoning Rules
Converting your garage to a legal rental unit means the finished space must comply with Des Moines's ADU size limits. Des Moines's current ADU size cap is 1,200 sq ft — generous enough to accommodate most project types.
Des Moines 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 Des Moines can command approximately $1,668/month as a 1-bedroom rental — far more than leaving the space as storage.
Permit Process & Fees
Building Division permit fees for this project type typically range from $9,000 to $28,000 depending on project valuation and scope. Plan check runs approximately 10 weeks — though each correction cycle adds 3–6 weeks, which is why code-compliant drawings matter so much.
Garage conversion drawings submitted to Building Division 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 Division ↗Construction Cost Context
Des Moines's garage conversion construction costs run $244–$510 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 Des Moines
Homes near the bluffs or shoreline in Des Moines often fall inside the state's coastal overlay zone, which means you'll need a separate Shoreline Substantial Development Permit on top of your regular building permit — this can tack on 6-8 extra weeks and requires a habitat/environmental review before the Building Division will even look at your plans. Because the city sits in Seismic Zone D, engineers also tend to require deeper footings or additional shear wall bracing than you'd see in a typical Puget Sound suburb, which can push your structural plan check costs up unexpectedly. On top of that, older neighborhoods like Woodmont and Redondo frequently have undersized side sewer lines from the 1960s, so King County may require a sewer capacity check before signing off on your final utility connection.
Expert Verdict — Marcus Reid, Licensed Designer
"In my experience, that 10-week timeline and per-sqft cost figure are Des Moines state-level estimates rather than locally verified numbers, so I'd call the Building Division directly and get a couple of local contractor quotes before penciling in a budget or start date — and don't overlook that coastal overlay, because the CDP review adds real time on top of standard plan check that a lot of homeowners don't anticipate."
Market Context
Des Moines has a median home value of $560,000. Comparable renovation projects in this market typically add 25% to resale value.
Neighborhoods in Des Moines with the strongest garage conversion and rental-unit potential include Highline College Area, Marina District, Central Des Moines, Pacific Ridge, North Hill. Extreme rental demand driven by the large student population of Highline College.
Permit Process
Permit applications are reviewed by the Building Division, with a plan check timeline of approximately 10 weeks. Permit fees in Des Moines range from $9,000 to $28,000 depending on project scope. Design review: Yes - critical area review (and historic district review if applicable).
Des Moines falls within Seismic Design Category D, which affects structural requirements for converted garage walls and foundations.
Properties within Des Moines's Coastal Overlay Zone require a Coastal Development Permit in addition to standard building permits.
Local Financing Resources
Local Garage Conversion Lenders in Des Moines
These lenders offer HELOC, construction, and renovation loans for garage conversion projects in King County. Compare terms before committing.
Washington's largest credit union; nearest branch 25250 Pacific Hwy S (Redondo/Kent, ~2 mi from Des Moines 98198); HELOC intro rate as low as 4.49% APR for 6 months, also offers construction and home-improvement loans.
Visit Lender ↗Serves South King County with nearby branches in Federal Way, Kent, Burien, and Tukwila; offers two-time-close construction loans usable for major renovations and ADUs; HELOC intro of 4.99% APR for 6 months also available.
Visit Lender ↗Has a branch inside Des Moines WA at 21401 International Blvd (98198); offers construction-to-permanent loans and HELOCs (Washington HELOC APR around 6.375%), suitable for ADU projects.
Visit Lender ↗Washington-state savings bank with a dedicated ADU financing program offering six loan options designed for ADU builds ($150k–$250k typical cost); also offers HELOC (6.875% variable APR, up to $400k) and construction loans.
Visit Lender ↗Specialty ADU/renovation fintech that partners with credit unions nationwide (including Washington) to offer ARV-based renovation loans — borrowers get up to 11x more borrowing power on average vs. standard HELOCs without refinancing the first mortgage.
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 Des Moines
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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines will actually permit — before you spend anything.
- ✓Whether your garage meets Des Moines 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 Des Moines Garage Conversion Package
What You Get
What's in Your Des Moines 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
- ✓WA 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 Des Moines's building department requirements and WA code. Delivered in 10 business days.
Submit to Your Building Dept
Download your complete package and submit to Building Division. We support plan check corrections at no extra charge.
Common Questions
Des Moines Garage Conversion FAQs
Is a garage conversion allowed in Des Moines? +
Yes — garage conversions are permitted in Des Moines. Washington 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 Des Moines? +
Garage conversions in Des Moines typically range from $70,000 to $154,000 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 Des Moines? +
Des Moines'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 Washington State Energy 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 Des Moines? +
Plan check in Des Moines typically takes approximately 10 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 Des Moines? +
Yes — a permitted garage conversion can function as a standalone rental unit (an ADU, or a similar accessory-unit category depending on Washington's and Des Moines's local rules). It can be rented long-term. Short-term rental rules vary by city — confirm with Des Moines'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 WA energy code compliance documentation.
How much does it cost to get garage conversion drawings in Des Moines? +
Our permit-ready garage conversion drawing packages for Des Moines include floor plans, elevations, electrical, and energy compliance — everything your building department needs. Every package is engineered for WA code compliance and formatted for Des Moines's building department. 14-day money-back guarantee.
Will converting my garage increase my home's value in Des Moines? +
A permitted garage conversion in Des Moines adds rentable square footage to a home currently valued around $560,000. 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 Des Moines
Need full ADU design drawings instead?
Next Steps
Ready to Move Forward With Your Des Moines 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 Division.
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 Division. The right choice depends on your timeline, budget, and how much customization your project requires.