Complete 2026 cost breakdown: construction, permits, financing, and expected rental ROI.
Calculate your Colorado Springs ADU cost →Building an ADU in Colorado Springs costs between $185,000-$420,000 for new construction, with per-square-foot costs averaging $325-$650. These figures include design, permitting, site preparation, and construction. The most affordable option is a garage conversion at $100,000-$200,000, while prefab/modular ADUs fall in between at $150,000-$340,000.
| Cost Category | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Architectural Plans | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Permits & Fees | PPRBD permit is valuation-based ($45.65 per sq ft in 2025-26): about $345 for a 750 sq ft unit or $505 for 1,250 sq ft, plus a 28% plan-examination fee. City DRE plan review $180 (new structure) or $130 (addition) plus $25 IT fee (Res. 191-25, eff. Jan 1, 2026). No separate land-use application fee. |
| Impact Fees | Citywide Development Impact (police/fire) fee $624-$766 per unit (AR 2025-08, 2026 schedule); park fee-in-lieu $1,748-$2,155 per unit (Res. 09-25, eff. July 1, 2025; UDC 7.4.307.D.3 makes ADUs pay at building permit); school-site fee-in-lieu (UDC 7.4.308); plus Colorado Springs Utilities development charges. All due at building-permit issuance. The Planning Manager may waive or reduce ADU fees for low-to-moderate-income owners or deed-restricted affordable units (7.3.304.E.3). |
| Site Prep & Foundation | $10,000 – $35,000 |
| Framing & Structure | $15,000 – $45,000 |
| Plumbing | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Electrical | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| HVAC | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Interior Finishes | $15,000 – $40,000 |
Quotes for the same ADU commonly vary 20–40% between builders. We pass your request to up to 5 local builders serving Colorado Springs, where we have them — free, no obligation.
Get Colorado Springs builder quotes →Permit fees in Colorado Springs are PPRBD permit is valuation-based ($45.65 per sq ft in 2025-26): about $345 for a 750 sq ft unit or $505 for 1,250 sq ft, plus a 28% plan-examination fee. City DRE plan review $180 (new structure) or $130 (addition) plus $25 IT fee (Res. 191-25, eff. Jan 1, 2026). No separate land-use application fee.. The review timeline is No published review time. Approval is administrative (no hearing) but the permit cannot issue until the 14-day posted notice runs (7.3.304.E.1.j); ask the Development Review Enterprise (719-385-5982) for current plan-review turnaround., with plan check: City DRE planning review plus PPRBD building review; no published turnaround. PPRBD charges $50/hour for re-examination after a second disapproval.. Impact fees are Citywide Development Impact (police/fire) fee $624-$766 per unit (AR 2025-08, 2026 schedule); park fee-in-lieu $1,748-$2,155 per unit (Res. 09-25, eff. July 1, 2025; UDC 7.4.307.D.3 makes ADUs pay at building permit); school-site fee-in-lieu (UDC 7.4.308); plus Colorado Springs Utilities development charges. All due at building-permit issuance. The Planning Manager may waive or reduce ADU fees for low-to-moderate-income owners or deed-restricted affordable units (7.3.304.E.3).. Pre-approved plans: None. The City publishes no pre-approved ADU plan set (checked September 2026); it recommends a free Pre-Application Meeting (coloradosprings.gov/preapp) before design..
| 1-Bedroom Rent | $1,350-$1,800/month |
| 2-Bedroom Rent | $1,600-$2,150/month |
| Annual Rental Income (est.) | $18,900/year |
| Payback Period (est.) | 16.0 years |
| Short-Term Rental | No. |
| Overall ROI Estimate | 5-8% gross rental yield (est.) |
A typical ADU in Colorado Springs generates approximately $18,900 per year in rental income based on average 1-bedroom rents. At an average construction cost of $302,500, the estimated payback period is 16.0 years — before accounting for the resale value the ADU adds, which an appraiser determines from comparable sales in Colorado Springs and varies by market (often less than build cost).
1. Garage conversions save 40-60% vs new construction since the shell already exists. Average cost in Colorado Springs: $100,000-$200,000.
2. Prefab/modular ADUs offer predictable pricing and faster timelines. Average: $150,000-$340,000.
3. Pre-approved plans — available in Colorado Springs, which can save $3,000-$10,000 in design costs and 2-3 months in review time. See which cities offer pre-approved ADU plans.
4. State grants — California's CalHFA ADU grant (up to $40K) is currently paused; check calhfa.ca.gov/adu for status and your state for active programs.
5. Get multiple bids — ADU contractor pricing varies 20-40% for the same project. We recommend getting at least 3 quotes.
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