Infill housing development involves constructing buildings on vacant sites or on land that has room for more capacity within an already developed community. Typically, infill housing projects are small to medium in scale, ranging from 1 to 12 new housing units on one or two standard-sized residential lots in established neighborhoods.

While infill housing could be adding another single-family dwelling or even a small multifamily apartment building, it is the middle housing type of dwelling that often serves as an efficient way to maximize housing units for infill development.

Examples include duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, cottage clusters, and townhomes in areas traditionally zoned for traditional single-unit homes.

Housing Types Available to Build

The City of Bend Development Code accommodates various housing types to address the diverse needs of community members and the unique characteristics of different properties.

The kind of infill housing development that makes the most sense for your goals and property will depend on whether you want to rent out the units in this new development or sell them individually.

Renting Out Units in Smaller Developments

If you want to rent out your units and you have a standard-sized residential property (4,000 to 10,000 square feet), consider these types of infill housing:

  • Single-family Dwelling: Traditional, detached one-unit home.
  • ADUs: One unit that is in addition to the single-family dwelling, whether that be attached or detached.
  • Duplex: Two units on one property, either attached or detached.
  • Triplex: Three units on one property, either attached or detached.
  • Quadplex: Four units on one property, either attached or detached.
  • Cottage Cluster: Typically, 3 to 12 units arranged in a cluster on one property.

Renting Out Units in Larger Developments

For larger properties or more than four units, consider these types of infill housing:

  • Single Room Occupancy: At least four attached units, independently rented, with shared kitchen or bathroom facilities.
  • Microunits: Very small units (150 to 400 square feet) without full kitchen facilities.
  • Multi-unit Housing: Standard apartment-style rental housing with five or more units.

Selling Units in a New Development

To sell individual housing units on their own lots, you typically need to apply for a type of land division. Consulting with a planner for a pre-application meeting is recommended for any potential land division.

Consider these options:

  • Traditional Land Division: Ideal for larger sites that can be divided into multiple lots, each at least 4,000 square feet. This may involve constructing new streets and extending sewer and/or water main lines.

    Map showing traditional land divisions

  • Small Dwelling Unit Developments

    Small Dwelling Unit Developments offer a pathway to create small 1,500 square foot lots for single-family detached dwelling units, ADUs and duplexes. The maximum floor area for any dwelling unit is 800 square feet, except accessory dwelling units (ADUs) must not exceed 600 square feet. When two dwelling units are developed on site (i.e., a duplex or a single-unit detached dwelling with an ADU) the maximum total floor area permitted for all dwelling units is 1,200 square feet, cumulatively.

    For example, a site may include an 800-square-foot single-unit detached dwelling and a 400-square-foot ADU for a total of 1,200 square feet. In no case can the total square footage of all dwelling units on site exceed 1,200 square feet, cumulatively. See BDC 3.8.300, Small Dwelling Unit Development. ADUs are by definition an accessory to the main dwelling unit and may not be partitioned to be sold separately.

  • Expedited Middle Housing Land Division: Suitable for Middle Housing types, such as duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, cottage clusters and townhomes. This allows you to take the original lot, split it up and sell units on their own lots separately. This process relaxes some of the typical lot size and configuration standards, utility standards and process timeline of a traditional land division. This option is the most viable to use when you have existing detached units on a property already, or if you are building brand new units, attached or detached, on a property. 

    Infographic showing infill housing options.
  • Shared Court: Similar to a townhome development with attached units sold separately. The main difference is that vehicular access is provided via a private access drive rather than a public street or alley.
    Infographic showing infill housing options.

Quick Reference Guides

Bend Development Code References

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the term “Middle Housing” mean?
Am I still allowed to build a single-unit detached home?
Some properties have Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions or other private agreements that don’t allow building multiple units or certain types of units. Can I still develop middle housing?
How is addressing managed in a Middle Housing Land Division application?

Still have questions?

Additional questions can be directed to our Planning Division: planning@bendoregon.gov or (541) 388-5580 Ext. 3.