Outdoor structures in Kansas City, MO
Kansas City backyards, alley garages, and ADUs by right.
Detached garages, studios over garages, sheds, and accessory dwelling units built on site across Kansas City, Missouri, under the city's 2022 ADU ordinance.
Kansas City, Missouri is the one city in the metro where an accessory dwelling unit is allowed by right on any lot with a detached house. Since September 2022 the city has permitted attached and detached ADUs without a public hearing, with no added parking requirement, and it publishes free pre-approved plans, including an ADU over a garage. That opens up the classic KC lot: a bungalow up front, an alley in back, and an aging single-car garage that is ready to become something better.
We build across the city, from the Brookside and Waldo bungalow blocks to the newer lots north of the river and the larger parcels in south Kansas City. Alley access, older utilities, and tight rear yards all get worked out at the site visit before the quote is final.
What we build in Kansas City
Every structure below is priced online for a level, accessible lot and confirmed with a site visit. The notes are specific to Kansas City.
ADUsFrom $89,900Allowed by right citywide. Detached units go in the rear yard, up to 800 square feet, with 5-foot setbacks and no extra parking.See models
Detached GaragesFrom $38,900Alley-fed garages are the KC signature. A garage with a studio or ADU above it is allowed under the ordinance.See models
Backyard OfficesFrom $17,900A small insulated studio fits most rear yards without triggering the size limits that a larger building would.See models
ShedsFrom $6,900Up to 200 square feet of roof area goes up without a building permit. Larger sheds go through the permit process.See models
ShopsFrom $26,900Larger south KC and Northland lots have the room. Anything over 200 square feet is permitted work.See models
Custom BuildingsCustom quoteSloped lots, odd-shaped parcels, and historic districts get a design that fits instead of a catalog box.See models
Permits
Permits in Kansas City, MO
Kansas City City Planning and Development handles both the building permit and, for larger accessory buildings, a zoning step. Here is what the city publishes.
We prepare the drawings, file the application, and schedule the inspections. You sign, we do the rest.
| No permit needed | One-story detached sheds, playhouses, garages, and carports with a projected roof area of 200 square feet or less. |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Any detached accessory structure over 200 square feet. The city's Code Questions page notes a Board of Zoning Adjustment step for sheds, storage buildings, and pool houses over that size. We walk you through it. |
| ADUs | Allowed by right on any lot where a detached house is the principal building (Ordinance 220698, September 2022). Attached or detached; detached units go in the rear yard. |
| ADU size | Floor area up to 800 square feet or 90 percent of the house, whichever is smaller. Footprint up to 60 percent of the house footprint or 25 percent of the rear yard, and never over 800 square feet. |
| ADU setbacks and parking | 5 feet from all property lines. No additional off-street parking required. |
| Owner occupancy | The owner must live in either the house or the ADU, recorded as a deed restriction before the certificate of occupancy. |
| Pre-approved plans | The city offers free pre-approved housing plans, including an ADU over a garage, which can shorten plan review. |
Source: City of Kansas City, Building Permit Exempt Work and Ordinance 220698. Verified September 2026. Rules change; we confirm current requirements for your address before the quote is final.
Where we build in Kansas City
Kansas City is a big place with very different lots. We work across the city, including:
- Brookside and Waldo
- South Kansas City and Red Bridge
- Martin City
- The Northland
- Midtown and the Plaza area
- Eastern Jackson County edges toward Raytown and Independence
Models that fit Kansas City lots
Configure size and add-ons for a live ballpark, then add it to your cart to request a site visit in Kansas City.
The Blackwood
One-bedroom cottage ADU with a front porch.
The Outfitter
Two-car garage with carriage doors and a gable dormer.
The Collective
Two-room studio with a covered porch.
Questions from Kansas City homeowners
Can I build an ADU in Kansas City, Missouri?
Yes. Since September 2022, Kansas City allows an accessory dwelling unit by right on any lot where a detached house is the principal building. A detached ADU goes in the rear yard, can be up to 800 square feet of floor area, needs 5-foot setbacks, and requires no additional parking. The owner has to live in either the house or the ADU, recorded as a deed restriction.
Do I need a permit for a shed in Kansas City, MO?
Not for a one-story shed with a projected roof area of 200 square feet or less. Anything larger needs a building permit, and the city's Code Questions page describes a Board of Zoning Adjustment step for sheds and pool houses over 200 square feet. We prepare and file everything.
Can you build a garage with an apartment above it?
Yes. The ordinance specifically allows a detached ADU in the same building as a garage, and the city's free pre-approved plans include an ADU-over-garage design. Exterior stairs have to face the interior of the lot, which we design in from the start.
How far will you travel inside Kansas City?
All of it. Our shop is in Lee's Summit, about 25 to 35 minutes from most of the city. Configure a model for a ballpark price and request a site visit from the cart.
Nearby service areas
Raytown, MOGrandview, MOOverland Park, KSLiberty, MO All service areas
Ready to build something that lasts?
Tell us what you want to build. We will review your property, walk through the options, and put together a clear quote. No obligation.