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Best Practices At-a-Glance

The examples below highlight specific elements of various ADU programs and development codes. Inclusion of a jurisdiction does not imply DOLA’s endorsement or approval of its entire ADU program or code, nor should it be interpreted as a comprehensive review of the jurisdiction’s compliance with the requirements of HB24-1152 (C.R.S. § 29-35-402 through 405). For more comprehensive program models and ideas, please refer to the ADU Case Studies.

ADU Technical Assistance for Homeowners

ADU Goal Supported: Supporting Homeowners to Build ADUs

Boulder

  • Policy/Program: ADU Webpage 
    Description: Includes helpful information for property owners interested in ADUs. Their ADU Guide webpage provides a helpful step-by-step overview of learning the rules for your property and for the application and review process. 
  • Resource Links: City of Boulder ADU Webpage

Centennial

Fort Collins

Grand Junction

  • Policy/Program: ADU Production Program 
  • Description: Offers many helpful and bilingual English/Spanish resources, including an ADU Toolkit and cost estimator. As part of their program, the property owner agrees to not use the ADU for short term rentals for seven years. 
  • Resource Links: City of Grand Junction ADU Resources

Jefferson County

  • Policy/Program: ADU FAQs  
  • Description: Provides extensive FAQs online and as a one-page handout with key details about building an ADU
  • Resource Links: Jefferson County ADU FAQs

Allowing Multiple ADUs on the Same Lot

ADU Goal Supported: Additional Opportunities to Amend ADU Codes and Increase Development

Denver

  • Policy/Program: Multiple ADUs on the Same Lot 
  • Description: Allows more than one ADU per lot
  • Resource Links: City of Denver ADU Webpage

Englewood

Grand Junction

Encouraging Factory-Built ADUs

ADU Goal Supported: Amending ADU Codes to Increase Development

Golden

  • Policy/Program: Factory-Built ADUs 
  • Description: Allowed as ADUs if they meet the definition of a manufactured home
  • Resource Links: City of Golden Zoning Code

Superior

  • Policy/Program: Factory-Built ADUs 
  • Description: Prohibits mobile homes for use as an ADU, but allows manufactured homes to be used
  • Resource Links: City of Superior Land Use Code

Further Waiving Parking Requirements

ADU Goal Supported: Additional Opportunities to Amend ADU Codes and Increase Development

Fort Collins

Incentivizing Accessible ADUs

ADU Goal Supported: Connecting ADUs to Local Housing Goals

West Denver Renaissance Collaborative (Denver Housing Authority)

Incentivizing Affordable ADU Rentals

ADU Goal Supported: Making ADUs Affordable

Boulder

Durango

  • Policy/Program: ADUs for Locals Program 
  • Description: Financial incentives for property owners who construct an ADU and commit to renting it to a member of the local workforce
  • Resource Links: City of Durango ADUs for Locals Program

Eagle County

  • Policy/Program: Aid for ADUs
  • Description: Provides existing property owners with a low cost loan for the construction or conversion of existing space to an ADU on the owner’s property, where permitted
  • Resource Links: Eagle County Aid for ADUs

Gunnison County

  • Policy/Program: Housing Matters Program 
  • Description: Encourages short-term rental (STR) owners to convert their property into long term rentals (LTRs) for local employees
  • Resource Links: Gunnison County Housing Matters Program

Summit County

  • Policy/Program: ADU Assistance Program
  • Description: Reimburses owner up to 25% of construction costs to bring ADU into compliance, if agree to workforce housing covenant and rental cap
  • Resource Links: Summit County ADU Assistance Program

Incentivizing Climate-Resilient ADUs

ADU Goal Supported: Connecting ADUs to Local Housing Goals

State of Colorado

  • Policy/Program: Wildfire Resilient Homes Grant Program
  • Description: Provided owners with grants to retrofit their properties and enhance wildfire resilience, including ADUs
  • Resource Links: Colorado Wildfire Resilient Homes Grant Program

Providing an ADU Cost Estimator Tool

ADU Goal Supported: Supporting Homeowners to Build ADUs

Grand Junction

Providing Pre-Approved ADU Plans

ADU Goal Supported: Streamlining ADU Review and Approval

Summit County

  • Policy/Program: Free Stock ADU Plans
  • Description: Provides stock ADU plans, which are available to Summit County homeowners at no cost
  • Resource Links: Summit County Stock ADU plans

West Denver Renaissance Collaborative (Denver Housing Authority)

  • Policy/Program: WDSF+ ADU Pilot Program
  • Description: Provides pre-approved ADU plans, allowing a homeowner to use an existing structural design that has been pre-reviewed for code compliance. Additionally, they share stories of ADU owners on their website, highlighting the benefits ADUs provide
  • Resource Links: 

Regulating the Use of ADUs for Short-Term Rentals

ADU Goal Supported: Connecting ADUs to Local Housing Goals

Grand Junction

  • Policy/Program: ADU Production Program
  • Description: Property owners agree to not use the ADU for short term rentals for seven years to participate in the Program
  • Resource Links: City of Grand Junction ADU Resources

Longmont

  • Policy/Program: Short-Term Rental Regulation
  • Description: ADUs are not permitted as STRs except in Planned Unit Developments like Prospect and Riverside at Mill Village, with site plan allowing for such use
  • Resource Links: City of Longmont ADU Webpage

Sheridan

  • Policy/Program: Short-Term Rental Regulation
  • Description: Property owners agree to not use the ADU for short term rentals for seven years to participate in the Program
  • Resource Links: City of Sheridan ADU Ordinance

Wheat Ridge

  • Policy/Program: Short-Term Rental Regulation
  • Description: ADUs cannot be used as "whole home" STRs but may be operated as "partial home" STRs, as long as the property owner lives onsite
  • Resource Links: City of Wheat Ridge ADU Webpage

Sharing ADU Case Studies

ADU Goal Supported: Additional Opportunities to Support Homeowners

West Denver Renaissance Collaborative (Denver Housing Authority)

Special Opportunity: Waiving or Reducing ADU-Related Fees for All Applicants

ADU Goal Supported: Making ADUs Affordable

Erie

  • Policy/Program: ADU Impact Fee Waiver
  • Description: New ADUs not subject to impact fees
  • Resource Links: Town of Erie Impact Fees

Fraser

  • Policy/Program: ADU Fee Reductions
  • Description: Reduces Plant Investment Fee (PIF) and service fees during construction
  • Resource Links: City of Fraser Ordinance 436

Montrose

  • Policy/Program: Utility Connection Fee Discount
  • Description: Offers a discounted utility connection fee for ADUs at just $300, providing a savings of approximately $6,800 compared to the standard water and sewer tap and investment charges
  • Resource Links: City of Montrose Utility Connection Fees for ADUs

Supporting Homeowners to Bring Pre-existing ADUs into Compliance

ADU Goal Supported: Supporting Homeowners to Build ADUs

Summit County

  • Policy/Program: ADU Assistance Program
  • Description: Reimburses owner up to 25% of construction costs to bring ADU into compliance, if agree to workforce housing covenant and rental cap
  • Resource Links: Summit County ADU Assistance Program

Wheat Ridge

  • Policy/Program: Existing ADU Program
  • Description: Property owners can seek legal status for their existing, unpermitted ADUs through the Existing ADU Program
  • Resource Links: City of Wheat Ridge Existing ADU Program

Updating Design and Dimensional Standards

ADU Goal Supported: Additional Opportunities to Amend ADU Codes and Increase Development

Durango

Glenwood Springs

Multiple Jurisdictions: Colorado Springs, Grand Lake, Salida, Sheridan, Telluride

Multiple Jurisdictions: Lakewood, Littleton

Waiving or Reducing ADU-related Fees for Low- and Moderate-Income Households

ADU Goal Supported: Making ADUs Affordable

Crested Butte

  • Policy/Program: ADU Fee Reduction for Deed-Restricted Units 
  • Description: Funds 2/3 of the cost of water and sewer tap fees for any deed-restricted ADUs
  • Resource Links: Town of Crested Butte ADU Fees

Grand Junction

  • Policy/Program: ADU Fee Waivers for Low- and Mod-Income Households 
  • Description: Offers fee waivers and incentives up to $15,000 if the owner agrees to not use the ADU for short term rentals for seven years. Extra incentive if they are <140% AMI
  • Resource Links: City of Grand Junction ADU Production Program

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