Published October 15 2026
Help guide thoughtful new options for small homes in Bellevue
The City of Bellevue is developing a community-informed program to make it easier to build smaller homes such as detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs) and cottages. As the city begins creating a set of pre-approved building plans, community input will play a key role in shaping how these future homes look and fit into Bellevue’s neighborhoods.
The City Council has made it a priority to reduce barriers to building DADUs and cottages. Middle housing code changes in 2025, which allow more housing types across Bellevue, laid the groundwork for this effort. As part of that work, the city will offer pre-approved building plans that property owners can purchase at a set price, making it easier to access high-quality designs and move through permitting more quickly.
A short survey is now open for community members to share what features matter most to them in these designs, including layout, number of bedrooms, exterior styles, green building features. The feedback collected will help create community scoring criteria designers will use when submitting plan ideas.
The goal is to have up to 10 pre-approved plans that reflect a variety of styles, capture a range of community preferences and work well on typical Bellevue lots. Take the survey.
Cities across the country are turning to pre-approved designs to help streamline the permitting process and provide pathways to diverse housing choices. Success in other cities shows that this approach works especially well for DADUs and cottages because these freestanding structures can follow consistent design and building standards. Instead of starting from scratch, property owners can choose from a set of high-quality designs that save time, reduce early decision-making and significantly lower cost.
Community members interested in being an early part of the conversation about this program can join city staff and our partners at Govstream.ai following the Residential Permitting Expo on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The community is invited to join for an interactive event to learn more about the proposed pre-approved plans program. City staff will share the vision for the program, answer questions from the community and our partners at Govstream.ai will showcase new tools under development to help property owners better understand what may be feasible on their property. Registration is appreciated but not required.
More opportunities to get involved are coming soon, and the city will continue to share updates as this work moves forward. The city will convene a community review panel to evaluate proposed designs and help select which ones will become part of the city’s pre-approved catalog. The program webpage will be updated regularly with the latest information on how to apply for the panel and with other ways to participate and stay informed about the program’s progress.
This collaborative, community-informed approach ensures the pre-approved plans reflect Bellevue’s values, support housing affordability and give property owners clearer, faster pathways to building smaller homes. Learn more at Pre-Approved Plans.