Everything homeowners need to know about building an accessory dwelling unit in Colorado Springs - size limits, setbacks, permits, and how the city's 2025 ordinance rewrite lines up with Colorado's statewide ADU law.
Last verified: August 2026
8/10 · ADU-friendly
1,250 sq ft*
Max ADU size
16 ft
Max height
Not required
Owner-occupancy
By-right
Permit type
This page summarizes Colorado Springs' Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance (Ord. #25-45), part of Chapter 7 of the Unified Development Code, and Colorado's statewide ADU law (HB 24-1152), for general reference - it is not legal advice. Regulations change; always confirm current requirements with Colorado Springs Planning & Development before designing or applying for permits. See sources below.
Zoning & size requirements
What you're allowed to build
ADU type
Max size
Max height
Notes
Detached (new build or garage conversion)
Lesser of 1,250 sq ft or 50% of the primary dwelling's floor area; ADUs may reach up to 750 sq ft even if that exceeds 50% on a smaller home (under 1,500 sq ft)
Same size formula as detached, sized within or against the primary structure
Matches the primary structure's height
The only ADU type allowed in the Wildland Urban Interface Overlay
Allowed zoning districts
Following Ordinance #25-45 (effective 2025), ADUs are allowed by right on any lot with an existing single-family detached dwelling, in every zone district that permits single-family homes. The one carve-out is the Wildland Urban Interface Overlay, where only attached/integrated ADUs are allowed rather than detached units. Confirm your parcel's zoning with Colorado Springs Planning & Development.
Additional standards
Setbacks, parking & other rules
Setbacks
Front and side setbacks generally match the primary structure's required setbacks; detached ADUs need at least a 5 ft rear setback
Parking
No dedicated off-street parking space is required for the ADU itself under Ord. #25-45; Colorado's HB 24-1152 also bars most local parking mandates statewide
Units per lot
1 ADU permitted per single-family lot, in addition to the primary dwelling
Owner-occupancy
Not required. The prior ordinance required owner-occupancy for attached ADUs in single-family zones; Ord. #25-45 removed that requirement citywide, and HB 24-1152 reinforces it statewide
Building code
Must meet Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) dwelling-unit code standards
Historic districts
Properties in a designated historic district need a Report of Acceptability before a building permit can be issued
Ordinance history
How Colorado Springs' ADU rules got here
2020First citywide ADU ordinance. Adopted in June 2020 and effective July 3, 2020, it allowed ADUs and a city-specific category called Accessory Family Suites in all zone districts, but with real restrictions: attached/integrated ADUs in single-family zones required Planning Commission approval and owner-occupancy, while detached ADUs were limited to two-family and multi-family zone districts.
2024Colorado passes HB 24-1152. The state legislature approved a statewide ADU law requiring "subject jurisdictions," including Colorado Springs, to allow at least one ADU by right per single-family lot and to drop owner-occupancy and most parking requirements by June 30, 2025.
2025City Council adopts Ordinance #25-45. Approved April 8, 2025 after Planning Commission review in December 2024, the ordinance repealed the prior ADU and Accessory Family Suite rules and replaced them with streamlined, by-right standards for nearly every residential zone district.
2025State law takes full effect. HB 24-1152 became fully effective June 30, 2025, reinforcing Colorado Springs' own updated ordinance with a statewide floor on by-right approval, no owner-occupancy, and no blanket parking mandates.
2025State compliance review. In its October 2025 compliance report, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) named Colorado Springs among the local governments implementing the state's ADU and housing laws at a high level.
Colorado Springs rewrote its own ADU rules just months before the state deadline, so unlike some neighboring cities, its 2025 ordinance and HB 24-1152 arrived almost in lockstep rather than one forcing the other.
Permit process
How Colorado Springs ADU permitting works
1
Confirm zoning eligibility
Verify your lot has an existing single-family detached dwelling and check whether it falls in the Wildland Urban Interface Overlay, which limits you to an attached/integrated ADU.
2
Pre-application meeting (optional)
Meet with Planning & Development staff to review site constraints and the size-formula calculation before you finalize a design.
3
Prepare your plan set
Site plan, floor plans, and elevations for the ADU, plus documentation of the existing home needed to confirm the size calculation.
4
Utilities service determination
Get a service determination from Colorado Springs Utilities confirming water, sewer, and electric capacity for the added unit.
5
Public notice posting
Post the required 14-day notice sign on the property. This is an informational posting under the by-right process, not a public hearing that neighbors can block.
6
Building permit & inspections
Apply for your building permit through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD), then schedule the standard framing, plumbing, electrical, and final inspections.
Properties in a historic district also need a Report of Acceptability before permit issuance. Fees and review times vary by project valuation and PPRBD's current workload - confirm current figures with PPRBD before budgeting.
Budgeting
What it costs to build an ADU in Colorado Springs
Garage conversion
Roughly $65,000-$150,000, the least expensive path since the shell already exists
Basement conversion
Roughly $95,000-$195,000, depending on existing ceiling height and utility access
New detached ADU
Roughly $140,000-$280,000 for a code-compliant, fully insulated freestanding unit
PPRBD building permit fee
Commonly cited in the $2,000-$8,000 range depending on project valuation, per third-party permit trackers; use PPRBD's fee calculator for a current estimate
Utility connection
Most ADUs share the primary home's water and sewer service rather than paying a separate tap fee; confirm your specific situation with Colorado Springs Utilities
These are general ranges from local contractor estimates and regional reporting, not quotes - actual cost depends heavily on lot conditions, utility access, and finishes. Colorado Springs construction costs generally run lower than in Denver or Boulder.
Before you apply
Tips for a smooth approval
Check for the Wildland Urban Interface Overlay before you design a detached unit. Properties in that overlay are limited to attached or integrated ADUs, not a standalone structure.
Build the 14-day posting window into your schedule. It's not a hearing neighbors can block, but it still adds calendar time before your application can move forward.
Get your Colorado Springs Utilities service determination early. Water, sewer, and electric capacity can affect where and how large you can build.
Double-check owner-occupancy and parking rules if you're working from an older source. Ordinance #25-45 rewrote both in April 2025, so pre-2025 articles and even some older neighborhood guides may be out of date.
Budget extra review time if you're in a historic district. The Report of Acceptability step is in addition to standard plan review, not a replacement for it.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need to live on the property to build an ADU in Colorado Springs?
No. Ordinance #25-45 removed the owner-occupancy requirement that used to apply to attached ADUs in single-family zones, and Colorado's HB 24-1152 bars owner-occupancy mandates statewide as of June 30, 2025.
How many ADUs can I build on one lot?
One ADU is allowed per lot with an existing single-family detached dwelling, in addition to the primary home.
Do I need extra parking for an ADU?
No dedicated off-street parking space is required for the ADU itself under Ordinance #25-45, and state law also bars most parking mandates for ADUs.
What's the maximum size for a detached ADU in Colorado Springs?
The lesser of 1,250 sq ft or 50% of the primary home's floor area, with a 16 ft height limit (up to 25 ft for a garage conversion). Homes under 1,500 sq ft can still build up to 750 sq ft.
How long does the permit process take?
Timelines vary with project scope and PPRBD's current workload; the required 14-day public notice posting adds a fixed minimum before permit issuance. Confirm current review times with PPRBD before budgeting your schedule.
How much does an ADU cost to build in Colorado Springs?
Garage conversions run roughly $65,000-$150,000, basement conversions roughly $95,000-$195,000, and new detached units roughly $140,000-$280,000, based on local contractor estimates and regional reporting - not counting PPRBD permit fees.
Did Colorado Springs have ADU rules before the state law?
Yes. The city adopted its first citywide ADU ordinance in 2020, though it was more restrictive than today's rules, requiring owner-occupancy for attached ADUs and limiting detached units to two-family and multi-family zones. Ordinance #25-45 replaced those rules in April 2025, shortly before Colorado's statewide ADU law took full effect.
What zone districts allow ADUs?
Essentially all zone districts that allow a single-family detached dwelling. The one exception is the Wildland Urban Interface Overlay, where only attached or integrated ADUs are permitted rather than detached structures.
Can I rent my ADU out on Airbnb or a short-term rental platform?
Short-term rentals are regulated separately from standard residential occupancy in Colorado Springs, with their own licensing rules. If that's the plan, confirm current short-term rental requirements with the city before finalizing your design.
