ADUs are allowed in CarbondaleTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Carbondale, CO
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Parcels
2,941
Zoning districts
81
Zoning Districts:
2,936 parcels · 81 districts
R/LD/10000-RVR
11%(334)
R/MD
9%(263)
R/LD
9%(260)
HCC
6%(190)
Other
64%(1,889)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Carbondale, CO?
Carbondale, 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 in R/LD, R/MD, R/HD, and MU: 500 sq ft if the primary dwelling is 1,500 sq ft or less; otherwise 33% of the primary dwelling’s floor area up to 850 sq ft
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum ADU size by district: OTR—10% of lot area up to 650 sq ft; R/LD, R/MD, R/HD, and MU—500 sq ft if the primary is 1,500 sq ft or less, otherwise 33% of primary floor area up to 850 sq ft.
Max Units
- –1 ADU per property
- –0 ADUs for multifamily dwellings or live/work units
Owner Occupancy
- –No owner-occupancy requirement.
Parking
- –1 space/ADU (normally 2; reduced to 1 if the lot reserves open space for a future second space). Exceptions: the reserved ADU parking area may be exempt from impervious lot coverage; ADU parking can exceed the impervious lot coverage maximum up to 600 feet; in the OTR district, the Planning and Zoning Commission may further reduce parking to preserve a historic residence; parking must be on the same lot as the dwelling (outside HCC).
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.
Garfield County