DC Structures
Why ADUs Are Booming in Montana
We get it: Montana homeowners are feeling the pressure from a real housing affordability crunch, with shortages and rising prices hitting many communities across the state. That’s exactly why Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are gaining momentum: Montana law requires municipalities to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit by right on lots with an existing single-family home, which makes it easier for homeowners to add space without subdividing or buying new land, creating more options than ever before.
Built for longevity and designed with intention, our accessory dwelling units offer a practicality-first way to expand your property’s potential while keeping its footprint small and compact. Our prefabricated ADU kits are a faster, more organized route to high-quality construction, especially helpful in regions where scheduling trades, materials, and timelines can get complicated.
Engineered for Montana’s real-world conditions and tailored to local code requirements, you can build with confidence from mountain towns to growing valley communities, with clear project details and expert services that help you choose the right model and finalize the best layout options for long-term efficiency and everyday living in your ADU. With more than two decades of experience, DC Structures delivers durable, customizable designs that feel right at home in Montana and are built to last.
Our ADU Kits
Our prefab ADU kits provide a faster, more efficient way to build a backyard house: Each kit is designed to be custom-tailored to the local climates, zoning requirements, and lifestyle needs in Montana, and through our customizable models, you can tailor everything from layout to bedrooms to finishes, with full plan details, flexible options, and dedicated services for every model.
Sitka
SitkaCrafted for backyard use, whether as a guest suite, artist studio, or creative workspace, our Sitka ADU Kit offers limitless flexibility within a compact framework.
Average Cost to Build an ADU in Montana
An accessory dwelling unit in Montana often falls in the ballpark of $200 to $500 per square foot, depending on your location, site conditions, and finish level.
Builder and industry cost guides also commonly place ADU projects in a broader estimate of $180 to $400 per sq. ft. range as of 2025, with real-world totals shifting based on design complexity, preferences, and materials, including your selected features, layout, and finish options. Variables like utility trenching/hookups, foundation requirements, winter weather scheduling, and access challenges on rural or sloped lots can materially change the final price, especially outside major cities.
Montana ADUs
Permitting, Zoning & ADU Regulations in Montana
We have an in-house architectural design team that will meet the requirements of your city’s unique regulation and zoning requirements, with expert services and code details that support your selected model and preferred layout.
While Montana doesn’t rely on a patchwork of county-by-county accessory dwelling unit rules in the same way some states do, accessory dwelling unit approvals can still differ locally depending on how an urban center or zoned county implements its regulations. Under Montana law (effective January 1, 2024), municipalities must allow at least one accessory dwelling unit “by right” on a lot with an existing single-family dwelling, and the accessory dwelling units can be attached, detached, or internal to the primary home—giving homeowners more options for compact living.
ADU Incentives, Grants & Financing in Montana
Several Montana housing resources can help fund affordable housing development, but dedicated, statewide homeowner ADU-specific grant or loan programs aren’t clearly standardized across the state, which can limit incentive options.
The Montana Department of Commerce administers federal HOME funding as grants to eligible applicants, such as local governments, nonprofits, and housing authorities, to support affordable housing projects, which may include small-scale housing depending on the local program structure. On the local side, some cities like Missoula provide step-by-step ADU guidance to help homeowners navigate planning and permitting, even when direct financial assistance isn’t advertised as a standing program, and those services can help clarify project details and improve planning efficiency.
Best Cities & Counties to Build an ADU in Montana
Missoula
Missoula has made it easier than ever for homeowners to understand and pursue accessory dwelling units by providing clear, step-by-step public guidance on what qualifies as an accessory dwelling unit and how to move forward with a build under local standards, improving approval speed and planning.
Bozeman
The city’s development code framework explicitly permits internal, attached, and detached accessory dwelling units by right in most residential zoning districts.
Billings
Billings has issued official planning guidance clarifying where accessory dwelling units are allowed.
DC Structures
ADU Project Gallery
How ADUs Can Boost Property Value in Montana
With high-demand areas like Bozeman and Missoula, Montana’s decreased housing affordability and continued demand make accessory dwelling units an attractive investment for homeowners across the state and a strong living option.
Beyond monthly income, an ADU can be a practicality-first way to offset housing costs and add long-term property value, especially in a market where limited supply has pushed values upward: the average home value in Montana is $457,278, rising above the nationwide average. And because Montana law requires municipalities to allow at least one ADU by right on lots with an existing single-family home, more homeowners have a clearer, more predictable path to adding a thoughtfully designed ADU—especially when it comes to comparing kit models, choosing the layout option that’s best for you, and confirming build details with experts like DC Structures for long-term efficiency and compact living in your future backyard rental, tiny home, or living space.
Start Your Montana ADU Journey
Ready to bring your ADU vision to life in Montana? Our team handles permitting, engineering, and delivery statewide, making it easy to build your prefab backyard house with confidence, with expert services, clear project details, and guidance on the best model, models, and layout options for your property’s practicality, efficiency, and compact living goals.