Everything homeowners ask about building an ADU in Colorado Springs — answered with 2026 data.
Yes, ADUs are allowed in Any zone district or overlay where a single-family detached dwelling is allowed, as an accessory use to that dwelling (UDC 7.3.304.E, current through Ord. 26-23, June 9, 2026). Exception: in the Wildland Urban Interface Overlay (WUI-O) only an integrated ADU inside the house is allowed; detached and attached ADUs may not be built there. in Colorado Springs, CO. The maximum size for a detached ADU is 50% of the principal dwelling's floor area or 1,250 sq ft, whichever is less; if the principal dwelling is under 1,500 sq ft the ADU may be 750 sq ft. ADU floor area does not count toward the lot's accessory-structure floor-area cap (7.3.304.E.2.a). Attached ADUs can be up to Same rule as detached: 50% of the principal dwelling's floor area or 1,250 sq ft, whichever is less; 750 sq ft allowed if the house is under 1,500 sq ft. Colorado Springs has an ADU-friendliness score of 7/10. Check our full Colorado Springs ADU rules page for complete zoning details.
ADU construction in Colorado Springs typically costs $185,000-$420,000. The cost per square foot averages $325-$650. Garage conversions are more affordable at $100,000-$200,000, while prefab ADUs cost $150,000-$340,000. Permit fees add 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. to your budget. See our detailed Colorado Springs ADU cost guide.
Detached ADUs in Colorado Springs can be up to 50% of the principal dwelling's floor area or 1,250 sq ft, whichever is less; if the principal dwelling is under 1,500 sq ft the ADU may be 750 sq ft. ADU floor area does not count toward the lot's accessory-structure floor-area cap. Attached ADUs are limited to Same rule as detached: 50% of the principal dwelling's floor area or 1,250 sq ft, whichever is less; 750 sq ft allowed if the house is under 1,500 sq ft. Junior ADUs (JADUs) have a cap of No separate junior-ADU category. An ADU inside the existing house is an 'integrated ADU' under the same 50% / 1,250 sq ft cap (750 sq ft if the house is under 1,500 sq ft). Maximum height is Detached ADU: 16 ft regardless of roof type or pitch. A detached garage converted to an ADU: 25 ft. Attached or integrated ADU: the zone district's height limit for the principal building (7.3.304.E.2.b). You are allowed up to 1 ADU per lot on a qualifying lot.
Rear setback: 5 ft for a detached ADU. The code caps the rear setback at the lesser of the district's accessory-building rear setback or 5 ft, so the City cannot require more (7.3.304.E.2.c(2)). Side setback: Same as the principal dwelling in that zone district; the ADU cannot be held to a larger side setback than the house (7.3.304.E.2.c(1); C.R.S. 29-35-102(18)(c)). Front setback: Same as the principal dwelling in that zone district. Detached ADUs are not permitted in the front yard; attached and integrated ADUs are (7.3.304.E.2.d). Detached units go in the side, rear or corner yard. Note that garage conversions may be exempt from setback requirements if the existing structure is already within the setback area.
One off-street space in addition to the house's required parking (UDC 7.3.304.E.1.b). Under C.R.S. 29-35-103(3) this is met by designating an existing driveway, garage or tandem space; a newly built space can only be required on a lot with no existing off-street space on a block where on-street parking is prohibited. Many cities and states have been relaxing ADU parking requirements in recent years. In California, no additional parking is required for ADUs near transit.
Not required to rent out the ADU and no covenant is recorded. The owner must show they live on the property when the permit application is filed (notarized Owner Residency Affidavit), except when the ADU is built together with a new house (7.3.304.E; C.R.S. 29-35-103(2)(b)). Note that owner-occupancy rules vary by state law — California and several other states have eliminated this requirement for standard ADUs.
The ADU permit review timeline in Colorado Springs is typically 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. Plan check: City DRE planning review plus PPRBD building review; no published turnaround. PPRBD charges $50/hour for re-examination after a second disapproval. Pre-approved plans availability: 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.
Average ADU rental income in Colorado Springs: 1-bedroom units rent for $1,350-$1,800/month, 2-bedroom units for $1,600-$2,150/month. Short-term rentals: No. Expected ROI: 5-8% gross rental yield (est.).
The minimum lot size for an ADU in Colorado Springs is None. Ord. 25-45 (adopted April 8, 2025) removed the former ADU lot minimums; C.R.S. 29-35-102(18)(e) bars any ADU lot-size rule stricter than the one for a single-family home in the same district. This applies to detached ADUs — garage conversions and JADUs may have different or no lot size requirements.
Garage conversions are one of the most popular and affordable ADU options. In Colorado Springs, a garage conversion typically costs $100,000-$200,000. The key advantages are lower cost (no foundation work), potential setback exemptions, and faster permitting. Read our complete garage conversion guide.
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