A separate living space can give a household more flexibility: room for relatives, a future long-term tenant, or another way to use the property as needs change. Before paying extra for that possibility, distinguish an appealing concept from a permitted, practical dwelling.
The current Bend code does not support a blanket claim that 2026 updates permit 1,000-square-foot ADUs. For the standard ADU provisions, a single ADU has an 800-square-foot maximum; a second has a 500-square-foot maximum. Special development types have exceptions and separate requirements. A home advertised with “ADU potential” still requires a property-specific eligibility check.
Start with the household’s needs
Would a separate entrance, single-level layout, accessible bathroom, or proximity to the main house matter most? A smaller unit with a useful layout may serve the intended household better than a larger conceptual plan that does not fit the site. Discuss those needs before selecting properties or commissioning drawings.
Review the actual site
Identify buildable space after setbacks, easements, lot coverage and existing structures. Review access for everyday use and construction. Ask how water, sewer and electrical service would be provided. Slopes and rocky conditions belong in the feasibility discussion. City permission and private covenants are separate questions, so obtain both public requirements and applicable HOA or CC&R documents.
Budget beyond the building
Design, site work, connections, permits, applicable fees, insurance and financing affect the total project. Improvements may also change assessed value; use the existing Oregon property-tax guide and ask the assessor about the intended change. Do not assign rental income to an unapproved plan, or assume a lawful ADU automatically permits short-term rental use.
Before making an offer
Ask the City and appropriate design or construction professionals to evaluate the intended use. Review the purchase contract and due-diligence timing with your broker. The useful question is whether this property supports your household’s plan at a workable cost, rather than whether an entire neighborhood is described as ADU-friendly.
Bend Relo can help identify properties worth investigating. For permitting and eligibility, begin with the City ADU resource hub and the Bend development code.
Talk with David & the Bend Relo team
Buying, selling, relocating, or evaluating a specific property? Tell us what you are working through. We are happy to help.
