Building a New Home with Separate Living Areas in Clackamas County: Pros, Cons, and Resources

As people seek innovative solutions to bring multiple generations under one roof, building a new home with separate living areas in Clackamas County has become an increasingly popular choice. This approach offers the perfect balance of togetherness and privacy, making it an ideal solution for multigenerational families or those exploring dual living arrangements or co-buying.

Clackamas County stands out as a prime location for these developments, thanks to its mix of suburban and rural settings, community-focused lifestyle, and proximity to urban amenities. In 2023, Clackamas County issued over 1000 permits for new home builds (fred.stlouisfed.org). It's important to consider the pros and cons of building a new home with separate living areas in Clackamas County and research our recommended resources to make the process less daunting.

Pros of Building a New Home with Separate Living Areas in Clackamas County

  1. Ample Space for Customization
    Clackamas County offers a variety of lot sizes, particularly in its rural and semi-rural areas, making it easier to design homes with separate living areas, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), or multi-wing layouts.
  2. Family-Oriented Environment
    Known for its excellent schools, and community amenities, Clackamas County is a great choice for families of all ages. Areas like Gladstone, Happy Valley, and West Linn provide a welcoming environment for all ages and amenities like the North Clackamas Aquatic Center and West Linn Adult Community Center.
  3. Convenient Location
    With easy access to Portland, residents enjoy the best of both worlds: the serenity of suburban living combined with the convenience of urban amenities like healthcare, cultural attractions, and employment opportunities.
  4. Experienced Builders and Zoning Flexibility
    Many local builders specialize in designing homes for dual living and understand the specific needs of multigenerational families. Additionally, certain areas of Clackamas County offer zoning flexibility to accommodate ADUs or secondary units. At Parsons Properties, we are very experienced in this area and would assist you in finding reputable and upstanding service providers for your endeavor.
  5. Enhanced Family Connection
    Multigenerational living fosters stronger family bonds while allowing shared caregiving responsibilities and cost-sharing benefits. While Clackamas County isn't the most affordable county to build in or live in, combining families can provide a myriad of benefits and cost savings that could offset other expenses.

Cons of Building a New Home with Separate Living Areas in Clackamas County

  1. Rising Costs
    Property values and construction costs in Clackamas County have been climbing, making it essential to budget carefully when building a home designed for multigenerational living. Property Taxes and rising insurance costs should be budgeted for in advance. You can pre-plan for these costs by first talking to any insurance company that provides homeowner insurance. Tell them the expected size and amenities of your home and they should be able to give you an estimate to insure your new build. For the property taxes, it can be more difficult to get an estimate due to the various factors that go into determining this amount. We suggest searching for newer homes on Zillow that are in the same relative area with close to the same amount of acreage and square footage and scrolling down to the public tax history for these homes to get a rough idea of what your property tax may be. It will look like this:
Public Tax History
  1. Zoning Restrictions
    While some areas are accommodating, others have stricter zoning or HOA regulations that may limit options for separate entrances or detached units. Always verify local ordinances before purchasing land. Clackamas County has very recently loosened its regulations for ADUs for some parcels but they are still very strict about zoning. It is imperative you work with an expert to ensure you understand the regulations and zoning before purchasing a property for building a new home with separate living areas in Clackamas County. We can guide you through these steps.
  2. Limited Existing Inventory
    If you prefer to modify an existing home rather than build, finding a property with suitable features on your own may take time due to limited availability in the area. Although we are experts in finding off-market properties that could align with your goals, don't hesitate to reach out with your needs or questions.

Resources for Building a New Home with Separate Living Areas in Clackamas County

  1. Local Zoning and Planning Information
    The Clackamas County Planning and Zoning Division is a great starting point for understanding zoning regulations, permit requirements, and building guidelines for multigenerational properties. This can get very time-consuming and confusing, especially when researching multiple properties. As your consultant, this is something we would handle for you.
  2. Experienced Builders
    We have relationships with local and reputable contractors who would sit down with us and go over your plans detail by detail. This isn't something to rush into; we will handle setting up meetings with a few different builders so we can ask about their process and timelines and you can get a feel for their level of service. You should feel comfortable with the service providers you choose, and trust them to deliver your greatest asset with the utmost care and consideration.
  3. ADU Resources
    For families interested in building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or detached spaces:
  1. Financing Options
    Financing a multigenerational property may involve creative solutions, such as:
    • Construction loans
    • Bridge Loans
    • Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs)

We work with several lenders who have various lending programs depending on your needs. We will connect you with them so you don't have to wade through hundreds of emails and phone calls while trying to understand the overwhelming minutia of their terms and conditions.

Real Estate Experts

Partnering with us could make all the difference in your endeavor. When trying to decide not only where to build your dream homestead, but also who to clear the land, hook up utilities, and find the various experts needed to turn your dirt into your dream, we are the missing link who can bring everything together as your real estate consultant.

Hire Parsons Properties As Your Real Estate Consultant

Building a new home with separate living areas in Clackamas County offers a unique opportunity to create a space that balances family connection and independence. While there are challenges, the area’s supportive community, flexible zoning, and access to experienced professionals make it an excellent choice for multigenerational families.

If you're considering a dual-living property, we’re here to help. Whether you’re looking for the perfect lot, exploring ADU options, or connecting with local builders, we can guide you every step of the way.