ADUs are allowed in Federal HeightsTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Federal Heights, CO
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
1,238
Owner-occupied
73%
Zoning districts
10
Avg Home Value
$786,704
Median Lot Size
0.11 acres
Avg Income
$83,644
Residential Types:
1,238 housing units
Single Family
7%
Apts (4+ units)
2%
Other
91%
Zoning Districts:
1,543 parcels · 10 districts
R-5
34%(519)
PUD
28%(437)
R-1
23%(357)
C-1
9%(145)
Other
6%(85)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Federal Heights, CO?
Federal Heights, CO follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: By Right
- –Detached ADU: By Right
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum floor area for an internal accessory dwelling unit (in-home apartment) is 800 sq ft.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum area for a detached ADU (Backyard Cottage): 800 sq ft (garage/carport area excluded from ADU floor area).
Max Units
- –Single-family: 1 ADU/lot (interior/attached/detached)
- –Duplex/multifamily: 0 ADUs
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner-occupancy required; owner must occupy the principal dwelling.
Parking
- –ADUs not listed in Table B; parking numbers determined by city manager per Sec. 70-646 for uses not listed; PUDs: parking set by approved plan; ADU must remain subordinate to principal dwelling in access/parking.
Rental Restrictions
- –ADU rentals are allowed only if the property owner occupies one dwelling unit on the property.
ADU State Law
What can you build in Colorado?
- –ADUs must be approved based on objective standards; no discretionary hearings allowed.
- –Historic properties: Local historic review may still apply in designated historic districts.
- –Exempt parcels: ADUs are not required to be allowed on parcels without adequate water/sewer, in floodways, or on certain historic properties.
- –HOAs cannot prohibit ADUs: HOA rules that conflict with the state ADU law are void.
- –Parking exceptions exist: In rare cases, one parking space may be required if there is no existing off-street parking and on-street parking is prohibited.
- –Local rules still matter: Building code, fire code, utility capacity, and life-safety standards still apply.
- –More permissive is allowed: Municipalities may allow larger ADUs, multiple ADUs, or additional housing types beyond what the state requires.
- –Local zoning controls whether ADUs are allowed at all.
- –HOA rules may still apply.
- –More permissive local rules are allowed.
What's allowed on your lot?
These are the municipality-wide rules. What's allowed on a specific property also depends on state laws, setbacks, floor area ratio, lot coverage, environmental constraints, topography, and other property-specific factors. Search your address on FutureLot to see what's allowed on your property.
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Is your property eligible for an ADU?
ADU rules in other Colorado municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Adams County