ADUs are allowed in SilvertonTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Silverton, CO
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
542
Owner-occupied
0%
Zoning districts
13
Avg Home Value
$47,556
Median Lot Size
0.11 acres
Avg Income
$77,824
Residential Types:
542 housing units
Single Family
10%
Other
90%
Zoning Districts:
1,172 parcels · 13 districts
R-2
30%(352)
R-1
29%(338)
MU-1
25%(298)
C-2
5%(53)
Other
11%(131)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Silverton, CO?
Silverton, 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 for an internal (in-home) ADU: the greater of 800 sq ft of usable floor area or 50% of the principal dwelling's gross floor area.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Detached accessory dwelling unit (backyard cottage) maximum size: 800 sq ft or 50% of the principal dwelling’s gross floor area, whichever is greater.
Parking
- –No ADU-specific minimums; townwide standards apply to larger projects; if ADU parking is provided, it must meet space, dimension, and surfacing standards.
Rental Restrictions
- –Vacation rentals require a permit; only one of the principal dwelling or the ADU may be used as a vacation rental at a time, with VR limits (C-1/P zones prohibited; Red avalanche zone; caps of 8 in R-1, R-2, and C-2; 100-ft separation). If not used as a vacation rental, the ADU must be rented as a long-term tenancy with the unit as the primary residence and an initial lease of at least 31 days; if both units are rented at the same time, leases must be at least three months.
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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