Homes with ADUs in Portland Oregon
Find space for family, guests, or extra income.
Looking for a home with a guest house, ADU, or multi-generational layout? We help Portland buyers find the right fit. From Sabin to St. Johns, we know Portland’s neighborhoods inside out — and how to find the best homes with accessory dwelling units.”
Why Portland Buyers Love Homes with ADUs
You’ve probably noticed — homes with ADUs in Portland disappear fast. For good reason. An ADU can be:
• Multigenerational living — parents, teens, or guests.
• Rental income that builds financial flexibility.
• Studio or guest suite that adapts to your lifestyle.
Portland’s updated zoning rules make it easier than ever to buy or add an ADU. Whether you’re searching for a home that already has one or one with ADU potential, we’ll help you weigh the options and spot opportunities before you make an offer.
Wondering what actually qualifies as an ADU in Portland? Let’s clear that up.▼
“We know the reality firsthand — our own home includes a second living space. We’ve learned how to balance privacy, comfort, and city rules, and we love helping clients do the same.”
Not Every Extra Living Space is an ADU
In Portland, a home can have an extra kitchen or finished basement and still not qualify as an official ADU. The difference comes down to permits. A permitted ADU meets the city’s safety, zoning, and design standards — it’s been reviewed and officially approved.
That usually includes:
No internal access between the main home and the ADU (each must have a separate entry).
Size compliance — typically under 800 sq ft or 75% of the main home.
System Development Charges (SDCs) paid or waived through the city’s Environmental Services, Water, and Transportation bureaus.
Independent living essentials like a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area.
You’ll also find plenty of “bonus spaces” across Portland — basement apartments, daylight suites, or over-garage studios — that look like ADUs but weren’t permitted as such. They’re great for family, guests, or caregivers, but if you plan to rent them separately, it’s worth knowing the rules first.
► Pro tip: We always verify whether a property’s second unit is a permitted ADU, and help you understand how that affects use, value, and financing.
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Explore Portland homes for sale with ADUs, ADU Potential & Extra Living Spaces
Browse the latest listings featuring ADUs, guest houses, and homes with income or rental potential throughout the Portland metro area.
These Portland-area listings include homes noted with ADUs in their remarks. We can help you sort through which ones truly offer ADU potential.
Finding the Right Home with an ADU in Portland Can Feel Overwhelming.
We Make It Simple.
Between changing ADU permit rules, lot-size requirements, and resale value considerations, it can be tricky to know which listings are truly ADU-ready. That’s where our local expertise comes in.
► We help you find Portland properties with existing ADUs or ADU-ready lots — and guide you through neighborhood character, rental potential, and livability.
Thinking About Renting Out Your Extra Space?
Here’s What to Know
Portland makes it easier than most cities to build an ADU, but there are limits on how you can use it.
If a property received a System Development Charge (SDC) waiver, the homeowner agreed not to use the ADU as a short-term rental (like Airbnb or VRBO) for 10 years. This recorded covenant stays with the property unless the owner chooses to repay the waived fees and change the unit’s status. If the covenant is violated or revoked, the waived SDCs must be repaid at 150% of the current SDC amount.
For homeowners who do want to rent short-term:
You must live on the property at least 270 days per year.
You’ll need an Accessory Short-Term Rental (ASTR) permit from the City of Portland.
The ADU must meet all safety and egress standards.
If you plan to rent long-term (over 30 days), you can do that freely with a permitted ADU. Or, if your setup is more like a finished basement or guest suite (not a full ADU), you can rent a room as long as you also live in the home.
► Bottom line: Owning an ADU adds flexibility, but the details matter. We’ll help you interpret city rules, review property records, and make sure your plans line up with what’s allowed, before you buy.
Best Portland Neighborhoods for ADU-Friendly Living
Some Portland neighborhoods make it easier than others to add or own an ADU.
We help you focus your search on neighborhoods that embrace flexible housing — from Sellwood-Moreland and Richmond to Kenton and Foster-Powell. Each has its own balance of walkability, lot size, and architectural charm.
Curious which area fits your lifestyle best? Take our quick Neighborhood Quiz or explore our interactive Portland Neighborhood and Suburb Maps.
Every Portland home tells a story — and we love helping clients find the one that fits theirs. Whether you dream of a 1920s bungalow or a light-filled contemporary, here are a few of our favorite ways to browse.
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Curated Searches for Every Buyer
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![Modern two-story house with solar panels on roof, glass front door, and landscaped yard.]()
LUXURY LIVING
PORTLAND, OREGON
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![Modern house with wood and white exterior, two windows, garage door, and landscaped yard during evening.]()
GREEN LIVING
PORTLAND, OREGON
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MICRO HOMES
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FIXERS
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19th CENTURY
PORTLAND, OREGON
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WATERFRONT
PORTLAND, OREGON
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![Modern, open-concept living room and kitchen with large windows, brown leather sectional sofa, white coffee table, and a kitchen with white cabinets and black pendant lights.]()
PENTHOUSE LIFE
PORTLAND, OREGON
Experience the Beauty of Pacific Northwest Architecture
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![A two-story house painted light green with white trim, surrounded by bushes and pink flowers, with a lawn and trees in the background.]()
COLONIAL
PORTLAND, OREGON
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![Two-story blue house with white trim, porch, and landscaped front yard.]()
CRAFTSMAN
PORTLAND, OREGON
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![A gray house with a steep roof, brick steps, and a red front door, surrounded by green landscaping and trees.]()
ENGLISH COTTAGE
PORTLAND, OREGON
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![A two-story house painted in bright blue with white trim, featuring a front porch, a staircase leading up to it, several potted plants near the entrance, and green trees and grass in the yard during sunset.]()
FOUR SQUARE
PORTLAND, OREGON
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MEDITERRANEAN
PORTLAND, OREGON
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![A gray two-story house with a covered front porch, black shutters, and skylights on the roof, surrounded by a white fence, green lawn, and blooming bushes under a partly cloudy sky.]()
CAPE COD
PORTLAND, OREGON
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![A cozy two-story house with orange siding and white trim, surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers, with a set of stone steps leading up to the front entrance under a partly cloudy sky.]()
BUNGALOW
PORTLAND, OREGON
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![Modern multi-story residential or commercial building at city intersection with cars and trees]()
CONDOS
PORTLAND, OREGON
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![A mid-century modern house with a flat roof, large windows, surrounded by manicured lawn and trees.]()
MID-CENTURY MODERN
PORTLAND, OREGON
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RANCH
PORTLAND, OREGON
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![A two-story house with a large tree behind it, a green lawn, bushes, and a red patio umbrella outside.]()
TRADITIONAL
PORTLAND, OREGON
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![A large house with Tudor-style architecture surrounded by green trees and a well-maintained lawn.]()
TUDOR
PORTLAND, OREGON
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![White Victorian-style house with gabled roof, front porch, stairs, and multiple windows, surrounded by green trees and bushes.]()
VICTORIAN
PORTLAND, OREGON
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![Modern two-story house with angular rooflines, large windows, a garage, and landscaped front yard.]()
CONTEMPORARY
PORTLAND, OREGON
Kim Campbell & Francisco Salgado
Two Artist-Turned-Realtors Who Know Portland Neighborhood by Neighborhood
We’re Kim & Francisco Salgado — a creative husband-and-wife real-estate team based in Sellwood-Moreland. We’ve lived and worked in Portland for decades, and we understand how local lifestyle and zoning intersect with your home search. From identifying ADU-ready lots to connecting you with trusted lenders and builders, we make sure every detail lines up.
Call or text 503-951-8547 to chat about what you’re looking for — or click below to start browsing Portland homes with ADUs today.
