ADUs are allowed in Buena VistaTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Buena Vista, CO
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
1,356
Owner-occupied
14%
Zoning districts
18
Avg Home Value
$640,350
Median Lot Size
0.20 acres
Avg Income
$98,394
Residential Types:
1,356 housing units
Single Family
71%
2-3 Family
1%
Other
27%
Zoning Districts:
2,313 parcels · 18 districts
R-1
45%(1,049)
R-3
9%(219)
R-2
8%(181)
R-2-OT
8%(178)
Other
30%(686)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Buena Vista, CO?
Buena Vista, 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 size of an internal/attached Accessory Dwelling Unit is 850 sq ft.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of a detached ADU is 850 sq ft.
Max Units
- –Single-family detached: 1 ADU per principal building.
- –Two-family (duplex): 1 ADU per principal building; must be detached.
- –Multifamily: 0 ADUs allowed.
Parking
- –1 space/ADU; exception: 1.5 spaces per 25 ft street frontage for Old Town Downtown Core; no max; MU-1/MU-2 without alley may waive with bike parking and Town Admin approval; shared/off-site parking may reduce up to 25%; bike parking cannot reduce vehicle parking for single-family; garages/driveways count.
Rental Restrictions
- –Short-term stays limited to 30 days for ADUs; must comply with state sanitary standards for public accommodations (6 CCR 1010-14).
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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ADU rules in other Colorado municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Chaffee County