Home Addition Drawings · Burien, WA
Permit-Ready Home Addition
Drawings for Burien, WA
Expand your home with a permitted room addition, second story, or family room extension. We deliver complete, code-compliant drawing sets for Burien's building department — in 10 business days, starting at $1,497.
14-day money-back guarantee · 10 business day turnaround
Local Intelligence
What Burien Homeowners Need to Know Before Submitting
Size & Zoning Rules
Any new square footage added to your Burien home counts against the same zoning envelope that governs ADU size, meaning large additions may affect your ability to add a future ADU. 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.
If the addition creates a second unit or is later converted to a rental, Burien's ADU market supports approximately $1,825/month for a 2-bedroom unit.
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.
Addition permit packages 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 drawings are always required for any load-bearing elements, second-story work, or new foundation.
Visit Department of Community Development ↗Construction Cost Context
Burien's home addition 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 home addition and resale value 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 any new addition tying into the existing structure.
Properties within Burien's Coastal Overlay Zone require a Coastal Development Permit in addition to standard building permits.
Local Financing Resources
Local Home Addition Lenders in Burien
These lenders offer HELOC, construction, and renovation loans for home addition 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 Home Addition Contractors in Burien
We draw the plans. These contractors build the addition. 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 Home Addition Package
Transparent Pricing
Burien Home Addition Drawing Packages
One-time fee. No retainer. No hourly billing.
- ✓Site plan
- ✓Floor plans (existing + proposed)
- ✓All 4 elevations
- ✓Electrical plan
- ✓Title 24 energy compliance
- ✓PDF + DWG delivery
- ✓10 business day turnaround
- ✓Everything in Starter
- ✓Stamped structural drawings
- ✓Foundation plan
- ✓Roof framing plan
- ✓Window & door schedules
- ✓1 round of revisions
- ✓Everything in Standard
- ✓3D rendering
- ✓Cross-section details
- ✓Material specifications
- ✓HOA submission package
- ✓2 rounds of revisions
- ✓Priority 5-day turnaround
After You Order
Your Addition Drawings in 3 Steps
Submit Your Project Details
Share your property address, existing floor plan (if available), and the addition scope. We assign your project coordinator within 4 business hours.
We Draft Your Drawings
Our team designs your complete addition drawing set — engineered for Burien's building department requirements and WA CBC 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 Home Addition FAQs
Do I need a permit for a home addition in Burien? +
Yes — any structural addition to your home in Burien requires a building permit. This applies to room additions, second-story additions, sunrooms, and attached garages. You'll need permit-ready drawings before the building department will accept your application. Our packages are formatted specifically for Burien's submittal requirements.
How much does a home addition cost in Burien? +
Home additions in Burien typically cost between $300.0–$400 per square foot depending on the scope, finishes, and structural complexity. A 600 sq ft addition ranges from $180,000 to $240,000. Second-story additions cost more than ground-floor extensions due to structural requirements. Our drawing packages start at $1,497 — a fraction of local architectural fees.
What drawings are required to permit a home addition in Burien? +
Burien's building department requires: a site plan showing the addition's footprint and setbacks, floor plans for all affected levels, all four exterior elevations, an electrical plan, and energy compliance (Title 24 in California). Structural plans stamped by a licensed engineer are required for any load-bearing elements — included in our Premium package.
How long does the permit process take for a home addition in Burien? +
Plan check in Burien typically takes 9.3 weeks for home additions. Additions with structural components may require additional review. Complete, code-compliant drawings significantly reduce correction cycles — each cycle adds 3–6 weeks. Our drawings are engineered to pass on the first submittal.
What setbacks apply to home additions in Burien? +
Burien enforces minimum setbacks from property lines for all additions: typically 4–5 ft side setbacks and 5 ft rear setbacks, though these vary by zoning district and lot size. Your addition must stay within the buildable envelope. Our site plan documents existing and proposed setbacks and flags any zoning variances required.
Do I need structural drawings for a home addition in Burien? +
Yes, for most additions. Any load-bearing walls, new foundations, second-story construction, or roof structure changes require stamped structural drawings from a licensed engineer. California's CBC (California Building Code) and seismic requirements make structural plans mandatory for most addition types. Our Standard and Premium packages include stamped structural drawings.
How much do home addition drawings cost in Burien? +
Our permit-ready home addition drawing packages for Burien start at $1,497. Local architects and designers typically charge $3,000–$10,000+ for comparable drawing sets. 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 a home addition increase my home's value in Burien? +
In Burien, where median home values are approximately $440,000, a permitted home addition adds square footage that appraisers value as part of the home's gross living area. Return on investment varies by addition type — master suite additions, family room expansions, and additional bedrooms typically recoup 50–75% of project cost in appraised value in WA markets.
Can I add a second story to my home in Burien? +
Second-story additions are permitted in most Burien residential zones, subject to height limits and design review requirements. California generally requires ministerial permit approval, but some cities impose design compatibility or neighborhood compatibility review for second stories. Our drawings cover all levels including foundation upgrades, shear walls, and roof framing required for vertical additions.
Also Available in Burien
Adding an ADU instead? See our ADU design service.
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.