City of La Grande

CONFIRM WHERE THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED.
If the property is inside the La Grande city limits, follow these steps… 

• Do a quick check (free)

  • Contact the city’s planning division for a pre-application review. They’ll flag zoning, overlays (floodplain, riparian, geo-hazard), historic district, and typical conditions; they can also loop in Building, Fire, Public Works, and utilities early.

  • If you’re in the La Grande Historic District or altering a designated historic structure, you will also need a Landmarks Commission review for exterior work; plan for the commission’s approval in your schedule.
    

• Prepare the ADU Zoning submittal (Planning)

  • Use the City’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Zoning Approval Application and include the required drawings:

    • Site plan with dimensions showing lot lines and all structures to the property lines.

    • Street-view elevation with overall height.

    • Floor plan (the city form asks it include a covered porch entry; note the form’s “minimum of 18 …”, so confirm exact porch dimension with Planning when you submit).

    • Unit size: ≤ 800 sf and smaller than the primary dwelling.

    • Design compatibility: roof/siding/color similar to the house. If not compatible, the form says you must obtain consent from a majority of property owners within 100 ft.

    • One ADU per property.

    • Allowed build types: new stick-built or convert a garage/shed; park models, tiny homes on wheels, and RVs are not allowed as ADUs.

    • The city’s planning division will also check if you’re in floodplain/geo-hazard/riparian areas or if ROW improvements/LID agreements are triggered.

  • Know the key local ADU standards up front (La Grande code)

    • Max size: 800 sf (must be less than the primary dwelling).

    • Height: standard 21 ft limit for a detached ADU (some exceptions if above a detached garage).

    • Setbacks: must meet the zoning district; side and rear are per the zone, with specific front-yard language in the 2023 LDC update (confirm with Planning for your lot). See: Municode Librarycityoflagrande.org

  • Pay the City’s Parks & Recreation System Development Charge (before permit issuance)

    • La Grande charges a Parks & Recreation System Development Charge of $525 per new dwelling unit (an ADU counts). The City notes this SDC is charged prior to issuing zoning approval and building permits.

  • Line up Building Permits (City Building Division)

    • Through La Grande Building Division (often via Oregon ePermitting), typical required submittals include:

      • Building (structural) permit application and plans.

      • Residential Additional Measures (energy) form.

      • Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical permits as applicable.

      • The City’s plan submittal checklist and digital plan review are available online.

  • Fees and surcharges (to work into your budget)::

    • Building permit fees are based on valuation; plan review is typically 65% of the building permit fee.

    • State surcharge currently 12% applies to building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical permits (see the City/County Uniform Fee Methodology for the full schedule of fees).
      

  • Public Works and Utility Steps (City)

    • If you anticipate tapping city water/sewer, cut the curb, or work in the public right-of-way, you will need to get a Right-of-Way Excavation/Curb-Cut Permit from Public Works.

    • Water/Sewer connection and tap fees are set by City resolutions; these are separate from SDCs and are paid when you establish service/connect. (The City distinguishes connection fees from tap fees—the latter covers City crews installing the service stub.) Check current water/sewer rates & fees pages and the work session memo explaining the fee types.
      

  • Historic review (only if applicable)

    If the property is in the La Grande Historic District or is a designated historic resource, submit the Historic Landmarks Application and obtain Landmarks approval for exterior work/new construction associated with the ADU. Coordinate this before (or alongside) your building permit submittal.

  • Build, inspect, and finalize

    • After permits are issued, build per approved plans.

    • Schedule inspections through the Building Division/ePermitting.

    • When all final inspections pass (and any Planning/Public Works conditions are satisfied), you’ll receive final approval/occupancy.

  • What to bring to your first City meeting

    • Filled ADU Zoning Approval Application + site plan, elevations, floor plan (≤ 800 sf).

    • Photos of the house and any structure you’re converting (to show design compatibility).

    • A simple utility plan (how you’ll connect water/sewer, and whether you need a new service).

    • If in a historic area: Landmarks submittal materials.

    • Budget awareness: Park SDC ($525), permit fees by valuation + 12% state surcharge, and water/sewer connection and tap fees.