Proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations for Arapahoe County have been revised to expand to more property owners, restrict short-term rentals, and clarify parking requirements.
The public can weigh in on the amended regulations through April 7 as the measure is set for public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in the coming weeks.
Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs, are secondary dwellings that can be added to, created within or built adjacent to a detached single-family home on a property of at least 5,000 square feet.
The draft regulations have been revised to allow ADUs to be built not only within all Agricultural and most Residential zoning districts but also now include properties zoned Mixed Use (MU), which are areas typically with residential and commercial/industrial uses.
The revisions also now would allow ADUs in planned unit developments, unless they are prohibited. Some homeowner association-managed neighborhoods may prohibit ADUs through private covenants.
The draft regulations also have been revised to prohibit ADUs from being rented or occupied short-term, which is for a period of fewer than 30 consecutive days.
One off-street parking space is still required, but it can be in tandem with existing parking, provided the spaces meet the minimum size requirement.
Public Hearings
Public hearings for the draft regulations are scheduled for March 21 for the Planning Commission and April 25 for the BOCC. The agendas and details for the upcoming hearings are available at www.arapahoegov.com/1617/Public-Meetings-Live-Streaming.
The County started working on the draft regulations in the fall of 2021 as one way to address housing affordability and availability within unincorporated areas of the County. Currently, ADUs are not allowed.
The proposed regulation also provides requirements and guidelines for design, location, size and the number of bedrooms.
Share Your Comments or Concerns
Comments or concerns about the draft regulations can be directed to Arapahoe County Public Works and Development Department Project Specialist Gretchen Ricehill: gricehill@arapahoegov.com
Additional information is available at www.arapahoegov.com/adu.