ADU Permits in Lakewood
Rules for detached (DADU) and attached (AADU) accessory dwelling units in Lakewood, Pierce County.
Free lookup. We’ll resolve your zoning, setbacks, and which ADU types are allowed on your specific parcel.
Choose an ADU type for your parcel
State law (RCW 36.70A.681) requires Lakewood to allow two ADUs on a lot in a single-family zone — one attached and one detached, two attached, or two detached — except on lots with critical areas or their buffers. An address’s own page checks its lot’s zoning.
DADU — Detached
Backyard cottage with its own foundation and roof. Most flexibility on layout.
AADU — Attached
Part of the house or built onto it: a converted basement or garage, or an addition.
Pre-approved plans
None in Lakewood on Washington Commerce’s statewide list of pre-approved plan programs (November 2026): an ADU here is drawn for its lot.
The state’s listLakewood permit-process facts
ADU permit fees
Set by the Lakewood fee schedule.
Fee scheduleLakewood prices an ADU's building permit on the value of the work, set by the Building Official: $805 for the first $50,000 plus $9.00 for each $1,000 more up to $100,000, and $1,255 for the first $100,000 plus $7.25 for each $1,000 more up to $500,000. Plan review is 65% of the building permit fee, one hour at the least, and the $6.50 state building code fee applies; a prescriptive residential mechanical permit is $240. Every permit application carries the City's $90 administrative base fee, mechanical permits excepted, and a 4% technology fee (2026 Fee Schedule). Apply through Lakewood's Online Permit Center (app.oncamino.com/
Review timeline
Not published by Lakewood.
HB 1337 conformance
Lakewood permits at least two ADUs per single-family lot, with no owner-occupancy requirement and parking limits that respect the HB 1337 ceilings.
These are Lakewood’s ADU rules as Kolmo reads them; an address’s own page adds its setbacks, easements and critical-area buffers. Source: cityoflakewood.us, last verified 2026-04-29.
ADU permits in Lakewood — FAQ
Does Lakewood allow detached ADUs (DADUs)?
Yes. Washington's HB 1337 (RCW 36.70A.681) requires Lakewood to allow at least two accessory dwelling units on a lot in a single-family zone within the urban growth area, attached or detached in any combination, except on lots with critical areas or their buffers.
What is the maximum ADU size in Lakewood?
State law bars a city from setting a maximum ADU size below 1,000 sq ft of gross floor area (RCW 36.70A.681(1)(f)). Lakewood's own maximum may be higher — the per-parcel page shows it with the city's code citation.