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.
Best Practices
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
- Policy/Program: ADU Checklist and Guide
- Description: Provides a detailed checklist and guide for the application process.
- Resource Links: City of Centennial ADU Checklist and Guide
Fort Collins
- Policy/Program: Development Review Webpage
- Description: Provides a detailed overview of what various departments and agencies might review in an ADU project application.
- Resource Links: City of Fort Collins ADU Basic Development Review
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
- Policy/Program: Multiple ADUs on the Same Lot
- Description: Allows more than one ADU per lot
- Resource Links: City of Englewood Unified Development Code
Grand Junction
- Policy/Program: Multiple ADUs on the Same Lot
- Description: Allows more than one ADU per lot
- Resource Links: City of Grand Junction ADU Webpage
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
- Policy/Program: Further Waiving Parking Requirements
- Description: Waives additional parking with some exception
- Resource Links: City of Fort Collins ADU Ordinance
Incentivizing Accessible ADUs
ADU Goal Supported: Connecting ADUs to Local Housing Goals
West Denver Renaissance Collaborative (Denver Housing Authority)
- Policy/Program: WDSF+ ADU Pilot Program
- Description: Features six single-story pre-approved ADU plans designed to meet ANSI Type B Adaptable Design Standards
- Resource Links:
Incentivizing Affordable ADU Rentals
ADU Goal Supported: Making ADUs Affordable
Boulder
- Policy/Program: Affordable ADU Program
- Description: Allows homeowners to build a larger ADU if they commit to rents that do not exceed 75 percent of the area median income
- Resource Links: City of Boulder ADU Webpage, City of Boulder ADU Ordinance
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 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)
- Policy/Program: WDSF+ ADU Pilot Program
- Description: Shares stories of homeowners who built ADUs on their website, highlighting the benefits ADUs provide
- Resource Links:
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
- Policy/Program: Side and Rear Setbacks
- Description: Allows smaller setbacks for some ADUs, especially rear setbacks
- Resource Links: City of Durango Land Use and Development Code
Glenwood Springs
- Policy/Program: Height
- Description: Allows ADUs to be the same height as the primary home, including two-story ADUs
- Resource Links: City of Glenwood Springs ADU Webpage
Multiple Jurisdictions: Colorado Springs, Grand Lake, Salida, Sheridan, Telluride
- Policy/Program: Square Footage
- Description: Allowing for a range beyond 500 to 750 square feet, which is required by HB24-1152 (C.R.S. § 29-35-402) for subject jurisdictions
- Resource Links: City of Colorado Springs ADU Webpage, Town of Grand Lake Zoning Code, City of Salida ADU Webpage, City of Sheridan ADU Webpage, City of Telluride Land Use Code
Multiple Jurisdictions: Lakewood, Littleton
- Policy/Program: Height
- Description: Allows ADUs to be the same height as the primary home, including two-story ADU, particularly if two-story additions are allowed
- Resource Links: City of Lakewood ADU Webpage, City of Littleton ADU Code and Charter
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
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Toolkit
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Do you have questions about the new laws and impacts to your jurisdiction? Check out our FAQ page, visit our main State Land Use and Housing Legislation page to learn about all the laws, or get one-on-one support below: