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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Wheat Ridge, Colorado

Required for construction of an ADU on a single-unit dwelling lot in Wheat Ridge. Legalized citywide by Ordinance 1744 (effective August 15, 2022); the underlying building permit follows the standard City of Wheat Ridge Building Permit process and fee schedule.

Verified 2026-07-05 · Source

When you need this permit

  • ADUs allowed in all residential, agricultural, planned development, and mixed-use neighborhood zone districts as an accessory use to a single-unit home; NOT permitted on duplex or multi-unit properties
  • Maximum size: 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the main house's gross floor area (including attached garage), whichever is more restrictive; units of 500-750 sq ft are always allowed provided they remain smaller than the main house; detached ADU footprint capped at 1,000 sq ft
  • Height: detached ADUs capped at 25 feet; attached ADUs must follow the main house's height requirements
  • ADUs cannot be subdivided or sold separately from the main house
  • No additional off-street parking required for a standard ADU (short-term-rental use of an ADU triggers separate STR parking standards)
  • All sides of a new ADU must be within 150 feet of an approved fire access road, or fire sprinklers may be required; attached ADUs require a fire-rated wall separation from the primary dwelling
  • Existing (built before August 15, 2022) unpermitted ADUs have until August 15, 2026 to apply for legal status
  • Governed by Ordinance 1744, approved July 11, 2022, effective August 15, 2022

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based Fee Table as new construction)No ADU-specific fee variance was found published on the City's ADU page; standard Building Permit Fee Schedule and Use Tax apply
$26.50 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the Permit Fee Schedule

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit permit actually take in Wheat Ridge?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Foundation

    Before concrete pour, for new ADU construction

  2. 2

    Framing

    Framing complete; fire separation/fire-rated wall verified for attached ADUs where required

  3. 3

    Rough Electrical/Plumbing/Mechanical

    Trade rough-ins before concealment

  4. 4

    Final Inspection

    All work complete, fire-access/sprinkler and occupancy compliance confirmed

See the full Wheat Ridge inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Confirm your zone district allows ADUs and that your lot holds a single-unit (not duplex/multi-unit) dwelling before assuming eligibility.
  • If your property is more than 150 feet from an approved fire access road, budget for a fire sprinkler system in the new ADU.
  • If you already have an unpermitted ADU built before August 15, 2022, the City has set a firm August 15, 2026 deadline to apply for legal status — don't let this lapse.

Frequently asked questions

Wheat Ridge requires an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit for: ADUs allowed in all residential, agricultural, planned development, and mixed-use neighborhood zone districts as an accessory use to a single-unit home; NOT permitted on duplex or multi-unit properties; Maximum size: 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the main house's gross floor area (including attached garage), whichever is more restrictive; units of 500-750 sq ft are always allowed provided they remain smaller than the main house; detached ADU footprint capped at 1,000 sq ft; Height: detached ADUs capped at 25 feet; attached ADUs must follow the main house's height requirements; ADUs cannot be subdivided or sold separately from the main house; No additional off-street parking required for a standard ADU (short-term-rental use of an ADU triggers separate STR parking standards); All sides of a new ADU must be within 150 feet of an approved fire access road, or fire sprinklers may be required; attached ADUs require a fire-rated wall separation from the primary dwelling; Existing (built before August 15, 2022) unpermitted ADUs have until August 15, 2026 to apply for legal status; Governed by Ordinance 1744, approved July 11, 2022, effective August 15, 2022. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Wheat Ridge Building Division (Community Development Department) at 303-235-2855 (Option 1: Building Permits & Contractor Licensing; Option 2: Inspections; Option 4: Plan Review); General City phone 303-234-5900 before starting work.

In Wheat Ridge, the published Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based Fee Table as new construction) is: $26.50 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the Permit Fee Schedule. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Wheat Ridge does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Wheat Ridge Building Division (Community Development Department) at 303-235-2855 (Option 1: Building Permits & Contractor Licensing; Option 2: Inspections; Option 4: Plan Review); General City phone 303-234-5900 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Building Permit Application (OpenGov Portal). Depending on your project, Wheat Ridge may also ask for: Existing ADU Application (Form Center). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Wheat Ridge requires 4 inspection(s) for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit, in order: Foundation, Framing, Rough Electrical/Plumbing/Mechanical, Final Inspection. Schedule each through City of Wheat Ridge Building Division (Community Development Department) (303-235-2855 (Option 1: Building Permits & Contractor Licensing; Option 2: Inspections; Option 4: Plan Review); General City phone 303-234-5900).

Apply through City of Wheat Ridge Building Division (Community Development Department) at 7500 W. 29th Ave., 2nd Floor, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. Phone: 303-235-2855 (Option 1: Building Permits & Contractor Licensing; Option 2: Inspections; Option 4: Plan Review); General City phone 303-234-5900, email: buildingpermits@ci.wheatridge.co.us (Permits); planreview@ci.wheatridge.co.us (Plan Review); buildinginspections@ci.wheatridge.co.us (Inspections); contractorlicensing@ci.wheatridge.co.us (Contractor Licensing). Office hours: Walk-in hours Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; service also available by appointment or phone/email starting at 7:30 a.m. Inspection request windows: AM inspections typically 8 a.m.-noon, PM typically noon-3 p.m., with a 2-hour window given on inspection day.. Official information: https://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/278/Building-Division.

1,000 square feet or 50% of the main house's gross floor area, whichever is more restrictive — though a 500-750 sq ft ADU is always allowed as long as it remains smaller than the primary dwelling.

Yes. ADUs built before Ordinance 1744's August 15, 2022 effective date have until August 15, 2026 to apply for legal status through the City's Existing ADU Application.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-05.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Wheat Ridge building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in other cities

Arvada, ColoradoAurora, ColoradoBoulder, ColoradoColorado Springs, ColoradoCommerce City, ColoradoCortez, ColoradoDenver, ColoradoFort Collins, Colorado

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