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MONTGOMERY COUNTY Accessory Dwelling Unit PLANS

This 598 square foot Accessory Dwelling Unit plan includes one bedroom, walk-in closet with washer and dryer, kitchen with breakfast nook, living room, conditioned storage attic and large FHA ‘A' Useable bathroom for improved accessibility.

Nine foot ceilings throughout with a cathedral ceiling in the great room up to 11 ft!

Designed by a licensed architect with a decade of experience in Montgomery County, MD, this  ADU is sized to meet zoning requirements on most residential lots in Montgomery County, MD.

Email me your property survey and I'll let you know for sure.

Get the Plans!
accessory dwelling unit floor plan
INCLUDED IN THIS ADU PLAN SET

This set includes the following drawings. See the plan walkthrough video below for a look at the drawing set.

  • fully dimensioned architectural floor plans with general notes, key notes and more
  • roof plan
  • exterior building elevations with material and trim specifications
  • building sections
  • typical wall section with insulation specifications
  • additional construction details
  • window schedule with window size, type and suggested specifications and interior trim
  • door schedule with size, type and suggested hardware sets
  • 3D views of all sides
  • electrical plan* with code-required and suggested outlet locations
  • lighting plan with suggested light and switch locations
  • foundation plan** with suggested foundation wall size, footing size, reinforcement and slab-on-grade specifications
  • roof framing plan** with suggested ridge beams, posts, rafter, ceiling joists and header sizes, locations and spacing

    * In Montgomery County, electrical work must be done under an electrical permit obtained by a licensed electrician. Please see What's Not Included, below
    ** In Montgomery County you will need a professional engineer to stamp the structural drawings. Please see What's Not Included, below

Efficient Design

Thoughtfully designed interior and exterior maximizes a 24 x 24 footprint.

Large windows and tall ceilings will make the space feel bigger than it is!

DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS

Four building elevations note suggested specifications for siding, base trim, window trim, roofing and more.

Window and door schedules, are also provided, with suggested specifications and hardware.

TALL CEILINGS!

9 foot ceilings in the rear half of the unit, with conditioned attic storage above.

Cathedral ceiling in front great room, with ridge at about 11′ – 6″

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

This is a premium plan set designed by a local Architect, but it is NOT enough to submit for the various permits you will need.

At a minimum you will need the following drawings or services, which you can provide yourself, or hire me to do.

  • Wind Bracing plan and signed and sealed structural drawings*
  • Zoning analysis and signed and sealed architectural site plan
  • Drainage/stormwater management plan
  • Permit filing and online drawing submission
  • Manual J and other HVAC system info/documents

* The plan set does include a foundation and framing plan, but no stamps or Wind Bracing

WHAT'S THE CATCH?

No catch, but this IS different than hiring me for a bespoke design.

Traditionally, when you hire an architect you are not buying a set of plans. You are paying for professional services; advice, guidance, agency and design. This is often communicated through a set of drawings.

But this IS a set of plans. This is a product, not a service. My goal here is to help you get a thoughtfully designed, energy efficient ADU without the investment in a completely bespoke design.

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT PLAN SET FAQs

How much is it?

The downloadable plan set is $1,250.

There are a few services, listed above, that you will need to get your building permit. You can DIY it or hire me for $8,250, total of $9,500 from now through receiving your building permit. That does not include the cost of the permit or the cost of a variance if needed.

Bespoke ADU design starts at $17,000.

IS THIS ALL I NEED FOR A BUILDING PERMIT?

In Montgomery County, no.

You will need a zoning site plan and analysis specific to your lot. You will probably need a drainage plan specific to your lot. You will need wind bracing plans and to have these drawings stamped by a professional engineer. You will need a Manual J and some other mechanical system information and a few other random permit application documents.

You can find your own licensed professional do to this for you, or hire me to do it.

Will this fit on my lot?

Probably, but you should email me your property survey just to be sure.

This was designed to fit as broadly as possible on Montgomery County residential zone lots.

Do I need to be in Montgomery County, MD?

Nope! This is a plan set that you can build anywhere you're allowed to build detached Accessory Dwelling Units.

However, this WAS designed very specifically to comply as widely as possible with zoning regulations for ADUs in Montgomery County, MD.

Zoning and ADU restrictions are likely very different wherever you are, so I can't promise that you'll be allowed to build this where you live. Please check your local regulations.

Can I build this in the Takoma Park Historic District?

With a few changes to the notes regarding exterior finishes, this will probably be approved in an historic district.

For more on historic stuff see my post about the Takoma Park Historic District Map and How to Get Through Historic Review in Montgomery County.

Can I request changes?

You can email me with a list of requested changes, and I'll provide a quote, starting at $1,200, though it will probably be more.

The issue with changes to plan sets is that even seemingly small changes require a lot of coordination within the drawing set. For example, if you want to move one window and make the roof steeper, I need to update the roof plan, all four elevations, all four sections, the roof framing plan and the window schedule, at least!

Do you offer refunds?

No. This is a digital product which you will access immediately after purchasing. There is no “returning” a PDF drawing set, even if you end up not building the project.

Please email me your property survey before purchasing. And make sure to check out the plan walkthrough videos for a preview of the drawings.

What are the interior dimensions?

The footprint is approximately 24′ x 24′. All the dimensions you need are in the floor plan provided in the drawing set.

I'm Ready to Build!

Terms and Conditions for Downloadable Architectural Plan Sets

By purchasing, downloading, or using any architectural plan sets (“Plans”) provided by BEN NORKIN ARCHITECTURE, LLC (“Architect,” “we,” or “us”), you (“Purchaser,” “you,” or “user”) agree to the following Terms of Service. Please read them carefully.

1. Limited License to Use

Upon purchase, you are granted a non-transferable, non-exclusive license to use the Plans for the construction of one (1) project on one (1) physical site only. Any reuse or reproduction of the Plans, in whole or in part, for additional projects or sites requires a separate purchase and written permission from the Architect.

2. Prohibited Uses

You may not:

  • Resell, redistribute, sublicense, or transfer the Plans in any form, whether digitally or physically.
  • Share the Plans with third parties, except for purposes directly related to the permitted construction project (e.g., sharing with contractors or permitting authorities).
  • Reverse-engineer, modify, or create derivative works based on the Plans for resale or distribution.

3. No Liability or Warranty

The Architect provides the Plans “as-is” and makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding their completeness, accuracy, code compliance, or suitability for any particular purpose. Use of the Plans is at your own risk.

You acknowledge and agree that:

  • Building codes, zoning laws, site conditions, and permit requirements vary by location. It is your responsibility to ensure that the Plans comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and site-specific conditions.
  • You must engage a licensed professional in your jurisdiction to review and, if necessary, adapt the Plans for local code compliance and engineering requirements.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Architect shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages or claims arising out of the use or inability to use the Plans, including but not limited to construction defects, delays, cost overruns, or personal injury.

4. Intellectual Property Rights

All Plans and related materials are the intellectual property of the Architect and are protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. Purchase does not confer ownership of the Plans, only the limited right to use them as specified in this agreement.

5. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Architect from any claims, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising from your use of the Plans, your construction activities, or any violation of these Terms of Service.

6. Revisions and Updates

The Architect may, at their sole discretion, update or revise the Plans or these Terms of Service without notice. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are using the latest version of the Plans and to review any updated terms.

7. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any legal action or proceeding relating to your use of the Plans shall be brought exclusively in the courts of Montgomery County, MD.