Getting a pre-approved ADU design through Eugene's system saved my clients months of permitting time. Here's why the Domino works so well for South Hills lots and what the pre-approval process actually involves.
Why I Created a Pre-Approved ADU for Eugene
Last year, I watched three different clients in the South Hills wait eight months for ADU permits. Same story every time: submit plans, get comments, revise, wait, revise again. The city was drowning in ADU applications, and my clients were burning through their construction budgets on holding costs.
That's when I decided to get a design pre-approved. The Domino ADU is now on Eugene's pre-approved list, and it's cutting permit times from months to weeks for my clients.
What Pre-Approved ADU Eugene Actually Means
Eugene's pre-approved ADU program isn't some marketing gimmick. It's a real process where the city reviews a design once, thoroughly, then approves it for use on any qualifying lot. When you use a pre-approved design, your permit review focuses on site-specific issues like setbacks and utilities, not the building design itself.
The city launched this program because they were seeing the same basic ADU designs over and over, each taking months to review. Smart move. Now they review a design once instead of reviewing slight variations fifty times.
I submitted the Domino in early 2023. Took four months to get through their review process, but now any client can use it and skip most of the design review.
Why I Called It the Domino
The name came from the footprint: 16 by 32 feet, same proportions as a domino. But the real reason is how it fits on Eugene lots.
Most South Hills properties have narrow buildable areas behind the main house. The Domino's footprint works on these constrained sites. At 512 square feet, it maximizes space while staying under the 800-square-foot limit for streamlined review.
The Domino's Design Features
Practical Layout
Open kitchen and living area with a separate bedroom and full bath. No wasted hallway space. The kitchen sits along one wall with a peninsula that creates definition without closing off the space.
I positioned the bedroom away from the main house to give renters privacy. The bathroom includes a linen closet because every ADU needs storage.
Weather-Ready Details
This is Oregon. The Domino has a covered entry porch because nobody wants to fumble with keys in the rain. I specified a metal roof with proper overhangs – 18 inches minimum. I've seen too many ADUs with skimpy overhangs that let rain run down the siding.
The windows are carefully placed. South-facing windows for winter solar gain, smaller north windows to minimize heat loss. West-facing windows are limited because afternoon sun overheats small spaces in summer.
Site Flexibility
The 16-foot width works with standard lumber dimensions and fits between mature trees on older lots. I've used this design on Soap Creek Road properties with established oaks and on Gillespie Butte lots with narrow building envelopes.
The foundation can be slab-on-grade or crawl space, depending on your site conditions and budget.
Eugene's Pre-Approval Process Reality Check
Getting Through City Review
Submitting for pre-approval isn't quick. The city reviews these designs as thoroughly as custom projects because they know each one will be used multiple times.
For the Domino, they scrutinized everything: structural details, energy compliance, accessibility features, even window placement for privacy. They required two rounds of revisions before approval.
But here's the payoff: now when clients use this design, their permit review focuses only on site-specific issues. Setbacks, utility connections, tree preservation – the stuff that matters for their specific lot.
What You Still Need Site-Specific
Pre-approved doesn't mean no engineering. You still need:
In the Whiteaker neighborhood, I had to modify the foundation design for a client with high groundwater. In the South Hills, another client needed additional structural engineering for their sloped lot.
Why This Design Works for Eugene Properties
Lot Size Reality
Most Eugene residential lots are 6,000 to 10,000 square feet. After setbacks, you typically have a narrow rectangle for ADU placement. The Domino's proportions work with these constraints better than square footprints.
I've placed this design on everything from compact Whiteaker lots to sprawling South Hills properties. The key is understanding your specific setback requirements early in the process.
Neighborhood Context
The Domino looks like a small house, not an oversized shed. Clean lines, proper proportions, quality materials. It fits Eugene's established neighborhoods without looking cheap or temporary.
I've seen too many ADUs that scream "rental unit" from the street. Good design respects the neighborhood while serving its purpose.
Cost Benefits of Pre-Approved ADU Plans
Permitting Savings
Pre-approved designs typically permit in 4-6 weeks versus 4-6 months for custom designs. That's real money saved on construction financing and project delays.
One client in the South Hills saved $8,000 in loan interest by getting their permit three months faster. Another avoided a winter construction delay that would have pushed completion into the next year.
Design Cost Efficiency
Custom ADU design runs $8,000 to $15,000 for full architectural services. Using a pre-approved design cuts this significantly because the building design work is already complete.
You still pay for site planning and permit processing, but the major design cost is eliminated.
When Pre-Approved Makes Sense (And When It Doesn't)
Good Fit Situations
Pre-approved ADU Eugene designs work best when:
Custom Design Better Choice
Go custom when:
I had one client with a view lot on Gillespie Butte. Pre-approved made no sense – we needed custom design to capture those views.
Next Steps for Your Eugene ADU Project
If you're considering an ADU in Eugene, start with your lot analysis. Understand your setbacks, utility locations, and any tree preservation requirements. This determines whether pre-approved designs will work or if you need custom solutions.
The Domino ADU has proven itself on a dozen Eugene properties now. It gets people housed efficiently without compromising on design quality. Sometimes the best solution is the one that actually gets built.
Ready to explore whether the Domino or another pre-approved ADU design fits your Eugene property? I offer lot feasibility consultations to help you understand your options and choose the right approach for your specific situation and goals.
Have a question about this?
I wrote this from experience. If you want to talk specifics for your project, I’m here.