Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Regulations in Wheat Ridge

Max Size- 50% of gross (including garage) or 1,000 sq/ft (whichever is less)

Max Height- 

• Detached:Cannot exceed 25’
• Attached: Must comply with the height requirements of the main house

ADUs are permitted in all residential, agricultural, and mixed-use neighborhood zones, provided they meet specific requirements:

✔ Only one ADU is allowed per lot.
✔ The ADU must be accessory to a single-family home.
✔ ADUs are not allowed on properties with duplexes or multi-unit dwellings.
✔ Mobile homes, RVs, and temporary structures cannot be used as ADUs.
✔ The property owner must live in either the ADU or the primary home.
✔ ADUs cannot be sold separately from the main home.

To ensure ADUs blend seamlessly within neighborhoods, Wheat Ridge has set size and architectural standards:

✔ Maximum ADU Size: 1,000 sq/ft or 50% of the gross floor area of the main home, whichever is smaller.
✔ Height Limits: Detached ADUs can be up to 25 feet tall (to allow for ADUs above garages), while attached ADUs must comply with the height restrictions of the primary home.
✔ Bulk Plane & Setback Compliance: ADUs must comply with standard bulk plane, height, and setback requirements.

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• HB 24-1152 requires cities to allow ADUs without designated parking, except in these cases:
  ✔ If no parking is currently required for the primary home, parking cannot be required for the ADU.
  ✔ If the lot does not have an existing parking space for the primary home, no additional parking is required.

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✔ ADUs must share water and sewer connections with the primary home; separate services are not permitted.
✔ Applicants must provide proof that they have submitted designs to the appropriate water and sanitation districts.

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• HB 24-1152 prohibits cities from requiring owner occupancy meaning ADUs can be rented out separately from the primary home.
• ADUs cannot be sold separately from the main home—they must remain part of the same lot.
• Short-term rentals (STRs) are still prohibited, except in Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) where STRs were previously allowed.

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Under HB 24-1152, all ADU approvals must be handled administratively—meaning there are:
✔ No public hearings
✔ No subjective design reviews
✔ No neighborhood approval required

To build an ADU in Wheat Ridge, homeowners must obtain zoning approval and a building permit. The process includes:

1. Pre-Application Consultation – Meet with city planners to discuss zoning compliance.
2. Design Review – Submit site plans and architectural drawings.
3. Building Permit Application – Provide structural details and ensure adherence to Wheat Ridge’s ADU design standards.
4. Plan Review & Approval – City officials review all documents to confirm code compliance.
5. Construction & Inspections – The ADU must pass all final inspections before it can be occupied.

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• Fire & Safety Standards

✔ Fire Code Compliance: All ADUs must be within 150 feet of a fire access road. If not, a fire sprinkler system may be required.
✔ Attached ADUs must have fire-rated separation walls between the units.

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• Short-Term Rental (STR) Regulations

✔ ADUs cannot be used as “whole home” short-term rentals (STRs).
✔ ADUs can be used as “partial home” STRs, meaning the owner must reside on the property.
✔ A short-term rental license is required to operate an STR in an ADU.

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• Legalizing Existing ADUs

If you built an ADU before August 15, 2022, you may be able to legalize it. The City of Wheat Ridge has extended the grace period for legalizing ADUs until August 15, 2026.

✔ Some existing ADUs may be approved as-is.
✔ Other ADUs may need modifications to meet life safety requirements.
✔ ADUs that apply before August 15, 2026 may qualify for an owner-occupancy exemption (though it may only be temporary).
✔ Life safety inspections may be required to approve an existing ADU.

The approval of ADUs in Wheat Ridge followed six years of community conversations and research on housing trends in Colorado.

✔ Increased Housing Flexibility: ADUs provide housing solutions for aging parents, adult children, and renters.
✔ Sustainable Growth: ADUs make use of existing infrastructure and land, reducing the need for large-scale development.
✔ Homeowner Benefits: Homeowners can downsize, supplement income, and improve affordability while remaining on their property.
✔ Multigenerational Living: ADUs support family members living independently yet close by.

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