ADUs are allowed in Glenwood SpringsTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Glenwood Springs, CO
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Parcels
4,139
Zoning districts
16
Zoning Districts:
4,133 parcels · 16 districts
RM1
24%(988)
PUD
19%(800)
M1
15%(603)
RM2
11%(451)
Other
31%(1,291)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Glenwood Springs, CO?
Glenwood Springs, 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 1,000 sq ft
- –Maximum size of 55% of the principal dwelling; for conversions, compute 55% of (principal minus ADU area)
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum ADU size of 1,000 sq ft of living area
- –Maximum ADU size is 55% of the principal dwelling building area
Max Units
- –Detached single-family: 1 ADU per lot
- –Duplex/townhouse/multifamily: ADUs not permitted
Owner Occupancy
- –No owner-occupancy requirement.
Parking
- –1 off-street space/ADU; GID No. 1980 exemption; Director may approve up to 30% reductions (including adjacent on-street credit); tandem parking allowed for residential; fractions rounded up; no ADU maximum (max only in nonresidential/mixed-use).
Rental Restrictions
- –ADU short-term rentals prohibited; only the primary dwelling on the lot may obtain a short-term rental permit.
- –Accessory tourist rentals and bed-and-breakfast are prohibited in the ADU; only the primary dwelling is eligible for such permits (owner/resident manager must reside in the primary unit).
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.
Garfield County