| As part of the city’s ongoing effort to expand housing availability and choice, Denver Community Planning and Development launched the Citywide ADUs project, in partnership with Mayor Mike Johnston and Councilmembers Sarah Parady, Chris Hinds, and Darrell Watson.
Following the recommendations of Blueprint Denver, this project will look at potential updates to the Denver Zoning Code, zoning map, and Former Chapter 59 zoning to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in all residential areas of the city.
Allowing ADUs in all residential areas of the city would expand housing availability and choice through gentle density without significantly changing how neighborhoods look and feel. It would also remove barriers for homeowners who would no longer be required to undertake a lengthy and expensive rezoning process before building an ADU.
The project builds upon the ADUs in Denver project, which updated building standards for ADUs to make them better fit in different neighborhoods. Prior to the code changes approved through the ADUs in Denver project, the zoning code considered ADUs through a one-size-fits-all approach with little variation by neighborhood.
This project implements proposed state legislation (House Bill 24-1152) by allowing administrative approval of ADUs in all residential districts.
If approved by City Council, the project would result in an update to the language of the Denver Zoning Code as well as a change to the city’s zoning map. The proposal is expected to go to City Council for a vote this summer. |
This change will be voted on this summer 2024. To send comments for/against, please send to Denver Council District 5 DenverCouncil5@denvergov.org