Bend council approves DDC changes to allow two ADUs, second kitchens and 'row houses' to spur infill
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Summary
The planning commission and council adopted amendments to the Bend Development Code to allow a second accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a single lot, permit a second kitchen inside a dwelling without creating a second unit, and add a new 'row house' housing form (detached single units on small lots with zero or reduced setbacks). The council voted
At the June 4 council meeting the council approved amendments to the Bend Development Code that create new options intended to increase infill housing choices and lower development barriers.
Key changes adopted by council:
- Two ADUs per lot: Property owners may now have up to two accessory dwelling units associated with a single primary dwelling. The planning commission advised against requiring that 1 ADU must be attached and 1 detached; council adopted that more flexible approach. The enacted language keeps the primary ADU maximum at 800 square feet and allows a second ADU (the commission recommended a smaller “junior” unit) — council accepted the staff/commission compromise but allowed flexibility.
- Second kitchen in primary dwelling: The code now permits a second kitchen within the main dwelling if internal access between both kitchens and the main living area is maintained; the change is intended to enable intergenerational households, on-site caretakers and other shared arrangements without creating a separate rental unit.
- Row houses: The council approved a new “row house” product for small-lot infill. Row houses will be detached single-family units built to zero- or reduced setbacks, designed to allow developers to build and sell units incrementally rather than as a single attached townhouse structure. Row houses must meet residential building code requirements and are limited by maximum lot sizes in the adopted standards.
The planning commission had unanimously recommended the package after two years of stakeholder outreach and an initial public workshop in 2023. Staff said the amendments are intended as “more tools in the toolbox” to help homeowners and small infill builders create housing without large-lot redevelopment.
Councilors and speakers from local architecture and housing advocacy groups supported the changes; several councilors asked staff to track what actually gets built and to offer model plans the city could make available to lower permit costs. The ordinance passed on second reading by roll call vote.
