Project Information

Bid Title

Request for Proposals: Development of Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Designs

Issuing Agency

City of Ithaca

Location

New York

Published Date

Apr 1, 2026

Closing Date

May 8, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

Join to Access Full Details

Bid Inquiries

Join to Access Full Details

Bid Documents

Join to Access Full Details

Project Description

Bid Title:	Request for Proposals: Development of Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Designs
Category:	Bids & RFP's from the City
Status:	Open

Description: The City of Ithaca is requesting proposals from qualified professionals to create designs for a pre-approved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) plan. Please see related items for full details. Publication Time: April 1, 2026 Closing Time: May 8, 2026 5:00 PM Publication Date/Time: 4/1/2026 9:00 AM Closing Date/Time: 5/8/2026 5:00 PM Related Documents: Pre-Approved ADU Design Library RFP

Attachment Preview

CITY OF ITHACA

108 E. Green St. — Third Floor Ithaca, NY 14850-5690

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Lisa Nicholas, AICP, Director

Planning & Development – 607-274-6550

Community Development/IURA – 607-274-6565

E-Mail: dgrunder@cityofithaca.org

Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit

(ADU) Designs

Request for Proposals

Posting Date: April 1, 2026

Submission Deadline: May 8, 2026

Department of Planning and Development

108 E. Green Street

Ithaca, NY 14850

Request for Proposals: Development of Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit

(ADU) Designs

This document outlines the scope of work for the project and related planning services.

Electronic proposals will be accepted until May 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Proposals shall be

submitted by email* to:

Sam Quinn-Jacobs, Planner

City of Ithaca Department of Planning and Development

zoning@cityofithaca.org

*An email reply will be sent confirming the City’s receipt of the proposal. Please contact Planning staff at

planninginfo@cityofithaca.org if you do not receive a confirmation email within two business days.

Summary

The City of Ithaca seeks to reduce barriers to ADU development, shorten permitting timelines, lower design

costs, and increase access to high quality, energy efficient, and accessible small scale housing options

consistent with the City’s adopted ADU legislation. As part of this effort, the City of Ithaca Planning and

Development Department is seeking proposals for a set of construction ready set of plans for a City of

Ithaca “Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design”. Through a competitive process, the City will

select a qualified design professional(s) to produce complete ADU construction documents compliant with

building code, zoning, and site plan review (with site specific review still required at time of permit). In

exchange for a one-time license fee, the selected design(s) will serve as the “City of Ithaca Public ADU

Design,” for which the City will receive a perpetual, royalty-free license to distribute the design at no cost.

Responses should highlight any customization options including, but not limited to, materials, architectural

finishes, and siting needs.

Background

The City of Ithaca recently adopted an amendment to Chapter 325 (Zoning) to facilitate the development of

accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in designated zoning districts throughout the city. This amendment is part

of a broader set of housing-related policy initiatives, including updates to short-term rental regulations and

zoning reforms intended to address housing availability, affordability, and access.

While the updated ADU ordinance creates new opportunities for small-scale housing development, the

timeline, procedural requirements, and professional design costs associated with ADU construction can

present barriers for property owners. The development review process, including zoning, site plan, and

building code review, may take several months prior to issuance of a building permit, particularly when

board review is required.

To reduce these barriers and encourage greater uptake of ADUs, the City identified the creation of a pre-

approved ADU design as an implementation strategy. By developing a curated set of ADU plans that are

pre-reviewed for compliance with applicable zoning, building code, and site plan standards, the City aims to

streamline permitting, reduce discretionary review where possible, minimize uncertainty, shorten approval

timelines, and lower overall project costs for residents.

1|Page

The City will host the design(s) on a public website that includes designer contact information and related

materials. Community members will be able to utilize the plans but will be responsible for all permitting

and site specific design costs.

The City has allocated capital funding for implementation of this initiative and has secured additional

support through a Tompkins County Housing Affordability and Supportive Infrastructure Grant, which

supports municipalities working to address the community’s housing shortage and improve access to

small-scale housing solutions.

Scope of Work

The Respondent’s proposal shall address each of the tasks described below. The City will select at least

one Respondent based on the evaluation considerations outlined in this RFP.

The successful Respondent(s) (the “Consultant”) will be responsible for preparing one or more complete,

code-compliant Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) prototype designs suitable for advance review and

inclusion in the City of Ithaca Pre-Approved ADU Design Library. The Consultant will work with the City to

ensure that the selected design(s) comply with the City’s ADU ordinance and all applicable state and local

codes. The Consultant will receive a one-time lump-sum payment as proposed in the cost proposal

submitted in accordance with the RFP Submission Requirements. In exchange, the City will receive a

perpetual, royalty-free license to reproduce and distribute the design(s) at no cost.

The City may consider alternative or refined approaches to the tasks described below on a case-by-case

basis. In such instances, the Respondent should describe how the task will be completed by the

Consultant, the City, and/or other project partners. The final scope of work will be negotiated prior to

execution of a contract and may be refined as necessary to best achieve the project goals.

Task 1: Finalize ADU Design

The Consultant and the Department of Planning & Development (the “Department”) shall develop a project

schedule, outlining specific tasks, deliverables, and timeline. The workplan shall include coordination with

Planning, Building, and other appropriate City staff and identify review checkpoints necessary to achieve

pre-approval status. The Consultant shall obtain technical feedback on zoning compliance, building code,

site plan requirements, constructability, accessibility and energy performance. The Consultant shall revise

the prototype design(s) as necessary to address staff comments prior to Planning Board review.

The Consultant will build upon the conceptual design submitted in response to this RFP and produce

schematic design drawings and other materials necessary for full site plan review of the proposed ADU

designs. Designs shall consider factors related to construction affordability, energy efficiency, and

compatibility with the surrounding site and neighborhood, as well as the ability to comply with other

applicable requirements, including those associated with designated historic districts and floodplain

development requirements.

Products:

• Final workplan with tasks, deliverables, and timelines

• Preliminary Drawings (elevations, floorplans, sketches etc.)

• Site plan depicting a configuration for an ADU on an Ithaca property

• Code analysis demonstrating compliance with zoning and building requirements

• Estimated construction costs including a demonstration of affordability and constructability

• Summary memo addressing staff feedback and documenting revisions

2|Page

• Description of how the proposal addresses the considerations above

• Revised schematic plan set suitable for Planning Board review

Task 2: Planning Board Review

The Consultant shall assist the Department in preparing materials necessary for Planning Board review of

the proposed pre-approved ADU prototype design(s). The Consultant shall attend and present at Planning

Board meetings as necessary.

The Consultant shall revise materials as required to address Planning Board comments and secure formal

approval.

Products:

• Presentation materials for Planning Board review

• Revised plan set reflecting Planning Board direction

• Documentation confirming Planning Board approval

Task 3: Finalize Construction Documents and Deliverables

Following Planning Board approval of the schematic design(s), the Consultant shall prepare complete

construction drawings suitable for building permit submission and final pre-approval designation.

The Consultant shall ensure that the final construction documents are internally consistent and suitable for

public distribution as a pre-approved ADU plan. The Consultant shall grant the City a perpetual, royalty-free

license to distribute the plan at no cost.

The Consultant shall provide final digital files formatted appropriately for hosting on the City’s website.

Products:

• Complete construction drawing set suitable for building permit submission

• Final code compliance documentation

• Executed licensing agreement

• Final digital plan files (PDF and source files, as agreed)

• Public facing summary sheet describing key design specifications

RFP Submission Requirements

Submittals shall be submitted electronically and include the following components. Each proposal will be

evaluated based on the following documents and requirements. Notwithstanding the evaluation

considerations listed below, the City reserves sole award discretion.

1. Cover Letter

Please include a narrative addressing the goals outlined in this document, including how the proposal

intends to address the considerations listed as well as comply with the City’s ADU ordinance and building

codes. Respondents should also include a description of the proposed design including square footage,

material options, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, energy performance and other relevant design

considerations.

3|Page

2. Conceptual Design Drawings

Please include conceptual drawings of the proposed ADU design, such as preliminary elevations, an

example site plan, and any other available design materials that would assist in evaluating the proposal,

such as floor plans and material lists.

3. Past Project Experience

Please include examples of successfully completed comparable projects.

4. Cost Proposal and Schedule

Please include a project budget, cost breakdown and proposed schedule that addresses all tasks and

deliverables listed above. Cost proposals must include a total not-to-exceed amount for the proposed

services.

If applicable, provide the price of any optional services that would be complementary to the services

requested.

Important Dates

Publication of RFP

Proposal Submission Deadline

Selection

Project Kickoff Meeting

April 1, 2026

May 8, 2026

May 2026

June 2026

Submission

Submissions will only be accepted via email using the following address and subject line:

Email: zoning@cityofithaca.org

Subject Line: RFP Response: Pre-Approved ADU Design Proposal

Responses submitted to this Request for Proposal (RFP) will become property of the City of Ithaca at the

time of submission. Any confidential information, such as a company’s financial status, if required by the

specifications, shall be submitted separately and marked “Confidential.” All responses may be released

pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law. This RFP is subject to the City of Ithaca Purchasing Policy

and Procedure Manual and all applicable local, state, and federal law. All proposals must be submitted by

the May 8, 2026. The City of Ithaca may extend the advertising period of this RFP in its sole discretion.

Proposal Evaluation

A selection committee composed of City staff and Planning and Development Board member(s) will

evaluate each proposal by the evaluation considerations described below to select a short list of

applicants for further consideration. The City reserves the right to reject proposals found to be

unresponsive and/or deficient in any of the requested information. The submission of a proposal with all

requested information does not guarantee that the applicant is a candidate for further consideration. The

City may contact references to verify material submitted by an applicant.

4|Page

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541330Engineering Services
• NAICS 541511Custom Computer Programming Services

* Disclaimer: Government BidHub provides information on bids, RFPs (Requests for Proposals), and RFQs (Requests for Qualifications) solely for convenience and informational purposes. This site is not an official public notice board. For official details, responses, or inquiries, please contact the relevant government agency directly.