ADU Stock Plans: Frequently Asked Questions
Artisans Group has several preapproved ADU plans available directly through participating jurisdictions. If your property is located in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Port Angeles, Kitsap County, Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Port Orchard, or Poulsbo, please start by contacting your local building department or visiting their preapproved ADU plan program page. In those jurisdictions, the plans are available through the jurisdiction, often at no cost to you. Artisans Group can still assist with site planning, modifications, permitting support, or other project-specific services, but the base plan set should be obtained directly from the building department.
For Seattle residents, select Artisans Group ADU plans are available through the Seattle ADUniverse program. These plans are not free through the City of Seattle, but Seattle residents may purchase a specific ADU plan from Artisans Group for $1,000 as part of that program.
For properties outside those jurisdictions, Artisans Group ADU plans are available for $2,500 per use, with additional services such as site planning, modifications, and permitting support billed hourly.
Where can I find the free preapproved plans?
If your property is located in one of the participating jurisdictions listed below, start with the jurisdiction’s ADU or permit-ready plan program:
Olympia
https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/building_permits___land_use_review/adu.php
Lacey
https://cityoflacey.org/current-planning/adu/
Port Angeles
https://cityofpa.us/1306/Permit-Ready-Plans
Kitsap County and participating Kitsap jurisdictions
https://www.kitsap.gov/dcd/Pages/adu.aspx
The Kitsap County ADU page includes information for participating Kitsap jurisdictions, including Kitsap County, Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Port Orchard, and Poulsbo.
What if my jurisdiction already offers one of your plans for free?
If your property is located in one of the participating jurisdictions listed above, you should obtain the plan directly from that jurisdiction.
In that case, you do not need to purchase the base plan set from Artisans Group. However, you may still need additional project-specific services before you are ready to submit for permit. Artisans Group can help with services such as site planning, plan modifications, permit support, and consultant coordination.
What are stock plans?
Stock plans are pre-designed ADU plans that can be licensed for use on your property. Instead of starting from scratch, you begin with an existing Artisans Group design and then complete the site-specific work needed for permitting and construction.
This can be a more efficient and cost-effective path than a fully custom design, while still allowing for thoughtful adjustments where needed.
What kinds of stock plans do you offer?
We currently offer ADU stock plans, including plans that have been preapproved through select jurisdictions.
We are also developing compact home and high-performance residential stock plans, but those plans are not yet live. Our goal is to offer beautiful, efficient, durable plans that are well suited to Pacific Northwest living.
How much do the plans cost?
If you are in one of the participating free-plan jurisdictions, the base ADU plan may be available directly through your building department at no cost.
For Seattle residents using the Seattle ADUniverse program, select Artisans Group ADU plans are available for purchase from Artisans Group for $1,000.
For properties outside the free-plan jurisdictions and outside the Seattle ADUniverse program, Artisans Group ADU plans are available for $2,500 per use.
Additional services such as site planning, modifications, permitting support, structural coordination, consultant coordination, or energy documentation are billed hourly.
Are these plans permit-ready?
Preapproved plans have already been reviewed for certain code requirements by participating jurisdictions. However, they are not automatically ready to build on every property.
Every site is different. You may still need a site plan, zoning review, utility information, stormwater information, septic or sewer coordination, tree or critical area review, energy documentation, structural coordination, and jurisdiction-specific forms.
The preapproved plan helps streamline the process, but it does not eliminate all site-specific permitting requirements.
What is included with a plan license?
A plan license gives you permission to use the selected architectural plan for one project on one property.
The specific documents included will depend on the plan selected and the program through which you receive it. Plan sets may include floor plans, elevations, building sections, and architectural details needed to understand and develop the design.
The plan license does not include site-specific permitting work, structural engineering, civil engineering, energy modeling, interior design, contractor pricing, or construction administration unless those services are added separately.
Can I make changes to a stock plan?
Yes, within reason. Many clients need small adjustments to respond to their site, lifestyle, or jurisdictional requirements.
Common modifications may include window adjustments, mirrored plans, exterior material changes, minor layout edits, foundation coordination, or adjustments for site orientation.
Larger changes may be possible, but at some point a heavily modified stock plan may become closer to a custom design process. We can help you decide whether a stock plan is still the best fit.
Can Artisans Group help with my site plan?
Yes. We can provide site planning services as an added hourly scope.
A site plan is often required for permitting and typically needs to show property lines, setbacks, access, parking, utilities, easements, topography, critical areas, and the proposed building location.
In some cases, a surveyor, civil engineer, septic designer, or other consultant may also be needed.
Is structural engineering included?
Structural engineering is not included unless specifically noted by the jurisdiction or plan program.
Most projects require site-specific structural review or engineering before permit submittal. This is especially important because structural requirements can vary based on location, snow load, wind exposure, seismic requirements, foundation type, soil conditions, and jurisdictional expectations.
Plans may also need to be reviewed by structural engineering for your specific jurisdiction to confirm compliance with local code requirements.
How long does the process take?
Timeline depends on the plan, property, jurisdiction, requested modifications, and the level of site-specific permitting support needed.
Artisans Group is an architecture firm with an active project queue, so stock plan support services are scheduled alongside our existing architectural work. Please do not expect immediate turnaround times. Once we understand your site, jurisdiction, and scope, we can provide a more realistic estimate of when we can begin and how long the work may take.
Engineering review, consultant coordination, jurisdictional requirements, and permit review timelines can all affect the overall schedule.
Can I use these plans outside the jurisdiction where they are preapproved?
Yes, but the plans will go through a typical permitting process with that jurisdiction.
A plan that is preapproved in one jurisdiction has not necessarily been reviewed or accepted by another jurisdiction. If you want to use one of our ADU plans outside the jurisdiction where it is offered, contact Artisans Group directly so we can help determine what additional work may be required.
Are the plans designed for Passive House or high-performance construction?
All of our stock plans are developed with high-performance construction, Passive House principles, and energy efficiency in mind. However, certification is project-specific and depends on site orientation, window selections, mechanical systems, insulation levels, air sealing, construction quality, and energy modeling.
If Passive House or PHIUS certification is a goal, we can help identify which plans are the strongest candidates and what additional work would be required.
Do you offer prefab options?
We are developing some plans with prefabrication in mind, including collaboration with prefab partners. Prefab can offer advantages in construction quality, schedule, and efficiency, but it also requires early coordination around site access, foundation design, transportation, crane access, utilities, and builder involvement.
Not every plan or property is a good fit for prefab, so we recommend discussing this early in the process.
Can I bring my own contractor?
Yes. You are welcome to work with your own contractor. We recommend involving a builder early so they can provide input on budget, constructability, schedule, and site logistics.
If you do not yet have a contractor, we may be able to suggest builders or consultants who are familiar with the type of project you are planning.
Will a stock plan save money compared to a custom design?
Usually, yes — especially during the early design phase. Starting with an existing plan can reduce the amount of time needed for concept design and design development.
However, total project cost depends on many factors beyond the plan itself, including site conditions, utilities, permitting requirements, engineering, finishes, labor costs, and contractor pricing.
A stock plan is a strong starting point, but it does not eliminate all design, permitting, or consultant costs.
How do I know whether a stock plan will work on my property?
The first step is to review your property’s zoning, setbacks, lot coverage, access, utilities, critical areas, and other permitting constraints. We can help with an initial feasibility review to determine whether a particular plan is likely to fit your site.
For more complex properties, additional consultant input may be needed before confirming feasibility.
What information should I have ready before contacting Artisans Group?
Helpful information includes:
Your property address or parcel number
The jurisdiction, if known
Whether the project is an ADU, guest house, or other use
Any survey, septic, utility, or site information you already have
Your approximate budget
Your preferred timeline
The plan you are interested in, if known
Whether you need modifications, site planning, or permitting support
Do not worry if you do not have all of this yet. We can help you identify the next steps.
What is the process?
If your property is in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Port Angeles, Kitsap County, Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Port Orchard, or Poulsbo, start with the jurisdiction’s preapproved plan program. Once you have identified the plan you want to use, contact Artisans Group if you need modifications, a site plan, or other project-specific support.
If your property is in Seattle, contact Artisans Group about purchasing the applicable ADU plan through the Seattle ADUniverse program.
If your property is outside these jurisdictions, contact Artisans Group directly to discuss available ADU stock plan options and the additional steps needed for your site.
Are home plans available?
Not yet. We are developing compact home and high-performance residential stock plans, but they are not currently live.
If you are interested in future home plans, you are welcome to contact Artisans Group and let us know what type of home, site, and timeline you are considering.
How do I get started?
Start by confirming which jurisdiction your property is in.
If you are in one of the participating free-plan jurisdictions, contact your local building department first to access the preapproved plan.
If you are in Seattle and interested in an Artisans Group ADU plan through ADUniverse, contact Artisans Group directly.
If you are outside those jurisdictions, or if you need help with modifications, site planning, or permitting support, reach out to Artisans Group with your property address or parcel number and a brief description of what you would like to build.
