ADUs are allowed in Wheat RidgeTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Wheat Ridge, CO
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
10,918
Owner-occupied
72%
Zoning districts
31
Avg Home Value
$736,943
Median Lot Size
0.23 acres
Avg Income
$104,371
Residential Types:
10,918 housing units
Single Family
2%
Apts (4+ units)
9%
Other
88%
Zoning Districts:
15,386 parcels · 31 districts
R-2
33%(5,108)
R-3
12%(1,771)
R-1
10%(1,574)
R-1C
8%(1,259)
Other
37%(5,674)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Wheat Ridge, CO?
Wheat Ridge, 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 internal/attached ADU size is the greater of (a) the lesser of 50% of the primary dwelling’s gross floor area or 1,000 sq ft, and (b) a guaranteed allowance up to 750 sq ft not exceeding the primary dwelling’s gross floor area. Basement/second-floor attached ADUs may go up to the first-floor area (not modeled).
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum detached ADU size is the lesser of 50% of the primary dwelling’s gross floor area or 1,000 sq ft; however, up to 750 sq ft is always allowed if it does not exceed the primary unit’s gross floor area. Detached ADU footprint is separately limited to 1,000 sq ft including any garage, carport, porch, or deck.
Max Units
- –1 ADU per property for single detached lots
- –0 ADUs for duplex and multifamily primary structures
- –Grandfathered: lawful ADUs may remain if present by Aug 15, 2026
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner must occupy either the primary or ADU for partial home rentals.
Parking
- –0 spaces per ADU; short-term rental parking may apply per 26-645 D.6
Rental Restrictions
- –STRs in ADUs must be owner-occupied/partial-home; non-owner-occupied whole-home STRs prohibited; minimum two-night stay; STR business license required; STRs prohibited in deed-restricted/rent-controlled housing
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.
Jefferson County