City of Bend Releases Four New Pre-Approved Home Plans Designed by Sierra James Construction Architect Ian Burgess

 

If you’ve been considering building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), cottage cluster home, or even a single-family residence in Bend, there’s exciting news.

The City of Bend has officially expanded its Pre-Approved Plans Program with four brand-new residential designs created by Ian Burgess, Architect at Sierra James Construction. These thoughtfully designed plans are intended to make building a new home simpler, more affordable, and more predictable for property owners.

Whether you’re creating housing for family, generating rental income, downsizing, or building your forever home, these plans offer an excellent starting point.

 

Designed by Ian Burgess of Sierra James Construction

 

Sierra James Construction is proud that our on-staff architect, Ian Burgess, was selected to design these four new plans for the City of Bend.

Ian brought years of experience designing homes throughout Oregon, with particular expertise in:

• ADUs
• Energy-efficient design
• Universal Design
• Aging-in-place planning
• Thoughtful, efficient floor plans

His goal was to create homes that are attractive, flexible, and attainable while helping address Bend’s growing housing needs.

 

What Are Pre-Approved Plans?

 

The City of Bend’s Pre-Approved Plans Program allows homeowners and builders to use residential plans that have already undergone an extensive code review by the City.

Rather than starting from scratch with a custom design, property owners can select one of these plans and significantly reduce both the time and cost associated with the design and permitting process.

Benefits include:

• Free architectural design & lower permitting fees
• Time saved on design & permitting
• Professionally designed homes
• Flexibility for a variety of housing needs
• Plans available for anyone to download

 

While every property still requires site-specific review, using a pre-approved plan can simplify one of the most time-consuming parts of building.

 

Four Designs for a Variety of Housing Needs

 

Each plan is designed for flexibility & efficiency,  functioning as either an ADU or a smaller primary home.

Modern Mill House

A compact, single-level one-bedroom, one-bath home offering approximately 500 square feet of efficient living space, with optional covered patio extensions that enhance indoor-outdoor connection. Thoughtfully designed to be both practical and cost-conscious, this plan delivers an approachable, affordable housing solution without sacrificing comfort or style.

Eligible as both a Junior ADU and a second ADU under Bend’s current regulations, the Modern Mill House is intentionally designed with a slender footprint to fit lots with tighter setbacks or limited buildable width. The efficient layout supports streamlined circulation and flexible use, making it a strong fit for infill properties, alley-loaded lots, or sites with spatial constraints. The plan can be mirrored and adjusted to respond to varying lot configurations, access points, and solar orientation.

Architecturally, the Modern Mill House draws from contemporary interpretations of traditional mill-style structures, featuring a clean shed roof form, refined detailing, and a balanced mix of materials. The result is a modern, approachable design that integrates comfortably into Central Oregon neighborhoods while delivering durability, efficiency, and long-term livability.

 

Cascade Cottage

 

An accessible, single-level one-bedroom, one-bath home offering approximately 779 square feet of efficient living space, paired with a covered outdoor patio that extends the livable footprint. Thoughtfully designed with universal design principles at its core, this plan prioritizes comfort, adaptability, and ease of use without compromising on style.

Eligible as an ADU, the home meets Type A accessibility standards while remaining flexible for a variety of homeowners, life stages, and site conditions throughout Bend. The layout is designed to maximize usable space and can be mirrored and adapted to respond to differing lot configurations, solar orientation, and access points.

Architecturally, the Cascade Cottage features a clean, modern form with a simple roofline and restrained detailing, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into a range of neighborhood contexts throughout Central Oregon while delivering durability, efficiency, and long-term livability.

The Cascade Cottage plan is certified by LiveAble Homes, giving homeowners added confidence that it meets recognized accessibility standards and providing a clear path toward full LiveAble Home certification.

 

Deschutes Bungalow

 

An accessible, single-level 800 SF, two-bedroom, one-bath home pre-approved for use within the City of Bend. Thoughtfully designed with flexibility, affordability, and universal design principles at its core, this plan offers efficient living without compromise.

Eligible as an ADU, the home meets accessibility standards while remaining adaptable to a wide range of homeowners, life stages, and site conditions throughout Bend. The layout can be mirrored and rotated as needed to respond to varying lot configurations, solar orientation, access points, and neighborhood contexts.

Architecturally inspired by Bend’s historic character, the classic Craftsman bungalow aesthetic blends seamlessly into established neighborhoods while delivering modern expectations for comfort, durability, and energy efficiency.

The Deschutes Bunglaow plan is certified by LiveAble Homes, giving homeowners added confidence that it meets recognized accessibility standards and providing a clear path toward full LiveAble Home certification.

 

Mt. Bachelor Pad

Designed with the Bend lifestyle in mind, this two-story, two-bedroom, one-bath home offers 800 square feet of efficient living space paired with a generous 629 square foot double-car garage and storage area. Purpose-built for Central Oregon’s climate and active culture, the design provides ample room for gear, vehicles, and year-round functionality without sacrificing comfort or style.

Eligible as an ADU, the stacked footprint maximizes site efficiency while maintaining livability. The plan can be mirrored and rotated to respond to a wide variety of lot configurations throughout Bend, accommodating properties with or without alley access.

Architecturally, the home blends clean, modern features with traditional roof forms, creating a timeless aesthetic that complements the character of Bend’s established neighborhoods while meeting contemporary expectations for durability, efficiency, and everyday practicality.

Universal Design That Works for Everyone

One of the features that makes these new plans especially exciting is that two of the four designs- The Cascade Cottate & Deschutes Bungalow- were intentionally designed using Universal Design principles and have been certified by LiveAble Homes.

Ian Burgess approached the accessible design with three key goals in mind:

• Accessibility: The plans meet rigorous accessibility standards to create homes that are truly functional and comfortable for people with a wide range of mobility needs.
• Universal Design: Details—such as varied counter heights and thoughtful appliance placement—make the homes easier and more enjoyable to use for everyone, from young families to older adults.
• Adaptability: The homes are designed to evolve with their owners. Features like reinforced walls for future grab bars, removable sink base cabinets for wheelchair access, roll-in shower options, and flexible bathroom layouts allow the home to be easily modified if needs change over time.

Because these plans have been reviewed and certified by LiveAble Homes, homeowners can have added confidence that they meet recognized accessibility standards while providing a clear pathway for the completed home to become LiveAble Home certified. Once certified, the home’s accessibility features are searchable within Realtors’ MLS systems, making it easier for buyers specifically looking for accessible homes to find the property.

Whether you’re planning to age in place, creating a home for multiple generations, accommodating a temporary injury, or simply looking for a home that will serve your family and visitors for decades to come, these thoughtfully designed plans offer flexibility without sacrificing style.

Looking Beyond the Plans

Although the plans are available for anyone to use, many property owners still need guidance before beginning construction.

Questions like:

• Will this plan fit on my lot?
• Which design works best for my property?
• What utilities will be required?
• What site work should I expect?
• What will the project cost?

These are all questions our team helps answer during the planning process.

As a design-build contractor with an architect on staff, Sierra James Construction can help homeowners determine whether one of the City’s pre-approved plans is the right fit—or whether a custom design would better meet their goals.

Ready to Explore the Possibilities?

Whether you’re considering an ADU for rental income, creating space for family, or building a new home, the City of Bend’s new pre-approved plans provide an outstanding place to begin.

If you’d like help evaluating your property or discussing your options, we’d be happy to schedule a free site consultation.

Learn more about the City’s Pre-Approved Plans Program and download the plans today.

Interested in building one of these plans? Contact Sierra James Construction to discuss your project and see whether one of these City-approved designs is the right fit for your property.