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Portland metro, Vancouver and Clark County · OR CCB #230588
ADUs in Portland and Vancouver, from backyard cottages to in-law suites
A private second unit for family, guests or rental income, designed and permitted by one local team. Portland homeowners can use city pre-approved ADU plans, when they fit the lot, to shorten the usual permit wait.
What’s included
Detached backyard cottages
A separate unit in the yard, designed to the lot’s setbacks, height and coverage rules.
Attached ADUs and in-law suites
A private suite connected to the house, with its own entrance when the layout allows.
Garage-conversion ADUs
Turn an existing garage into a legal second dwelling when the structure and zoning support it.
Full design-build
Architecture, engineering, material choices and construction stay with one team.
Permits and inspections
We prepare the package and walk it through Portland, a metro city, or Clark County.
Pre-approved plan path
Harris publishes that Portland (and Bend) homeowners can use city pre-approved ADU plans. Typical permit waits can run up to nine months; with pre-approved plans, Harris says you can be permit-ready within weeks.
Why an ADU is a Portland-metro conversation
A backyard cottage or in-law suite lets you keep parents close, give an adult child their own door, or add a rental without buying another property. That only works if the unit can actually be permitted on your lot.
Portland has its own ADU path, including pre-approved plans that Harris already offers to homeowners here. Vancouver and Clark County review second units under Washington rules, so the same drawing set does not automatically travel across the river. We start with your address, then tell you what the lot can take.
On Harris’s own additions and ADU pages: typically permits can take up to nine months, and pre-approved plans are meant to get you permit-ready and breaking ground much sooner.
Our 5-step process
The same path we use on every design-build project: we scope the work, design it, pull the permits, build it, and walk it with you at the end.
- 1Initial survey
- 2Design phase
- 3Planning & permits
- 4Construction
- 5Final walkthrough
Built on our word
You are hiring a licensed Oregon contractor, not a revolving cast of subs you never meet. We design, permit and build under one roof, and we keep you posted when something changes.
- Licensed in Oregon as OR CCB #230588.
- Permits and inspections are part of the job, including Portland-metro cities and Clark County work we take on.
- You get a clear scope and a straight conversation about budget before construction starts.
- Financing options are available; we’ll explain what is current when we talk.
We have not listed a Washington contractor license number here because we do not have a confirmed number on file. If Harris has one for Clark County work, it should go in this section before publish.
Get your free ADU consultation
Tell us what you have in mind. We will call or text the Portland office to schedule. Or call 503-610-0739 now.
Videos
A short intro and client interviews belong here. Slots below use real posters where we have them, and a visible placeholder where we do not.
ADU walkthrough videoWalkthrough clip already used on a Harris lander (Vimeo 1099657941). That lander captions it as a Bend walkthrough.
Client testimonial video neededVIDEO NEEDED: a Portland or Vancouver homeowner talking about their ADU.
What our clients say
These are Google reviews published on harrisandsons.co and already used on the current Portland kitchen and bathroom landers. The review text does not name a city.
We hired Harris & Sons to remodel part of our house and also build an addition. The project involved 3 bedrooms, 2 walk-in closets, and 2 bathrooms. Throughout the construction process, which had a few unforeseen complications, Harris & Sons worked to meet our expectations, gave us constructive options, and pushed to keep as close to the schedule as possible. They worked with us on controlling overall cost and understood and respected our financial capabilities and limits. In the end they gave us a beautiful and good quality home.
Google review, as published on harrisandsons.co
From our first meeting, Christian Harris stood out. Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable about construction and design, but he also brought a level of calm confidence that made us feel like our home was in the best possible hands. He took the time to understand our vision, walked us through every step of the process, and communicated consistently, something that’s rare in the construction world these days.
Google review, as published on harrisandsons.co
We have worked with Christian and his team for numerous projects around our home for the past year. They built and stained a beautiful fence for us, and also built a paver patio and pathway in our backyard. They are consistently friendly, communicative, and deliver high-quality work. Their employees are considerate and helpful. They have excellent follow-through from start to finish, and are exceptionally priced. We would highly recommend this team and we will continue to utilize their skills around our home going forward.
Google review, as published on harrisandsons.co
Where we work
The Portland office takes this work across the metro and across the river in Vancouver and Clark County. The number on this page is the Portland line.
Portland metro
- Portland, OR
- Beaverton, OR
- Hillsboro, OR
- Tigard, OR
- Lake Oswego, OR
- Gresham, OR
- Happy Valley, OR
- Oregon City, OR
Vancouver and Clark County
- Vancouver, WA
- Washougal, WA
- Camas, WA
- Clark County, WA
Questions
Can I build an ADU on my Portland lot?
It depends on zoning, setbacks, height, lot coverage and utilities. We start with your address and a site review, then tell you what is realistic before you spend money on a full design.
Do you have pre-approved ADU plans?
Harris publishes that homeowners in Portland can use city pre-approved ADU plans, and that this can cut the usual permit wait. We will tell you whether those plans fit your lot.
Do you build ADUs in Vancouver and Clark County?
Yes. Second units across the river follow Clark County or city of Vancouver rules. We plan the permit path for the jurisdiction you are actually in.
What can an ADU be used for?
Harris builds customized ADUs for guest houses, rental income, extra space for family, backyard cottages, in-law suites, detached offices and short-term rentals, as described on harrisandsons.co.
Who pulls the permits?
Our team handles permits and inspections as part of the design-build job.
Ready to plan your ADU?
Tell us what you have in mind. A short note now saves a long back-and-forth later. Or call the Portland office at 503-610-0739.