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Flagstaff launches ADU model-plans library to lower design and permitting barriers
Summary
The city launched an ADU model-plans library of pre-approved detached plans to reduce design and permitting costs, speed building-permit review and encourage accessory dwelling unit construction; staff noted construction costs remain a major remaining barrier.
Genevie (Genevieve) Pere of the Flagstaff Sustainability Office presented the city's new ADU model-plans library, which launched in January 2026 with 11 approved detached ADU plans intended to reduce design costs, shorten plan review time and support both housing and climate goals.
Pere said the library's goals are to host a growing inventory of energy-efficient, all-electric model plans; increase public awareness of ADUs; reduce design and permitting costs for homeowners; and connect homeowners to designers and other ADU resources. The program began with a call for designers and a community selection process; submitted plans were reviewed for building-code compliance to enable expedited permitting.
The library currently focuses on detached ADUs (as opposed to interior or attached ADUs that are more site-specific) and offers plan cards on the city website listing square footage, bedroom/bath counts, licensing reuse fees, permit numbers and pre-approved customization options. Pere said reuse fees cover designers' work to adapt a plan to a site; designers typically prepare the site plan and help homeowners determine whether a plan will fit their lot before a formal permit submission.
Pere acknowledged zoning and parking barriers have been reduced (parking requirements for ADUs were removed due to state law and the local zoning code was updated in early 2024), but she said construction costs remain a substantial obstacle: commissioners cited examples of $250—200-$300 per-square-foot ranges when discussing typical ADU build costs. Commissioners suggested outreach that highlights ADU resident stories and partnerships with realtor associations and developers to broaden awareness.
Next steps identified by staff include county pre-approval (Coconino County is working to pre-approve plans for county residents), analysis of plan compliance with historic-overlay standards, expansion of the library to meet a new state law requiring additional housing-model plan types, ongoing outreach (printed booklets, flyers and events), and potential future strategies to address construction costs such as modular or bulk-buy approaches.
Why it matters: model-plan libraries can lower the up-front design and permitting barriers that discourage homeowners from building ADUs, while providing options that align with local climate and housing goals. Staff and commissioners acknowledged the library does not solve construction costs, which remain a central constraint on ADU production.
Provenance: staff launched the library and demonstrated the website during the April 29 commission meeting; staff will follow up on outreach and county pre-approval.
