ADUs are allowed in VailTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Vail, CO
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
7,607
Owner-occupied
13%
Zoning districts
30
Avg Home Value
$3,049,075
Median Lot Size
0.60 acres
Avg Income
$117,571
Residential Types:
7,607 housing units
Single Family
27%
2-3 Family
1%
Apts (4+ units)
1%
Other
71%
Zoning Districts:
8,303 parcels · 30 districts
LMU-1
14%(1,173)
PS
14%(1,163)
MDMF
13%(1,076)
HDMF
12%(1,023)
Other
47%(3,868)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Vail, CO?
Vail, 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
- –In the PS Two-Family Primary/Secondary district, the attached/internal secondary unit is limited to 40% of the site’s allowable gross residential floor area.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 500 sq ft for a detached unit approved for physical separation with a two-car garage (Design Review Board review).
Rental Restrictions
- –EHUs require 30+ consecutive days per lease to full-time Eagle County employees, with continuous occupancy and no more than 3 months vacancy; no short-term rentals. For ADUs not designated as EHUs, there are no explicit rental-term limits stated.
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.
Eagle County