Pre-Approved ADUs - Coming Spring 2026!
The Pre-Approved Accessory Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program will be launched by the Municipality in 2026 to make it easier for residents to build ADUs and add to Anchorage's housing stock to address the housing shortage crisis our community is facing. Through this program, you can select a plan (for free!) from a catalog of designs that have already been approved through the Municipality's permitting process.
Depending on your property, some other permits and reviews might be necessary, but the goal is to ease your way through the process to reduce the time needed to bring your ADU to completion.
What is an ADU?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (or ADU) is a separate unit on the same property as an existing dwelling that provides basic requirements for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation. The unit may have a separate exterior entrance or an entrance to an internal common area accessible to the outside. ADUs can be attached, detached or internal to the main dwelling unit and are allowed in all residential zones in Anchorage and most residential zones in Chugiak-Eagle River and Girdwood. Learn more at the Municipality’s ADU Project Page.
Where do I start?
We’ve created a checklist to walk you through each step of the process. Here’s the overview of how it works:
- Identify the ADU design you would like to use
- Meet with staff to review your property to make sure you can build a detached ADU on your site and identify any special requirements for your property
- Your property may have special requirements for utilities, steep slopes, floodplains, etc. – but don’t worry, we’ll walk you through the process for those
- Complete the Building Permit Application and Hold Harmless Agreement and submit the package with your Plot Plan
- Obtain your construction permit and the ADU plan package
- Build your ADU
- Conduct inspections, resolve issues and receive a Certificate of Occupancy
- Enjoy your new ADU!
The Plans
Coming Spring 2026
Documents
Additional ResourcesFeedback?
Do you have feedback about how to make this program easier to use? Do you have an ADU design you'd like to submit to the catalog? Please get in touch – we'd love to hear from you. Call 907-343-8301 and we'll connect you to the correct person for your question or comment.