How long does ADU permit review take in Loveland?

Once a full submittal is received and accepted through the check-in process, the review time is 10 business days. Source: City of Loveland New Detached ADU Submittal Check List.

Can I be my own contractor for an ADU in Loveland?

The homeowner cannot construct or general contract the ADU project unless it will be their primary residence. Effective July 1, 2026, a property owner may act as general contractor on their ADU but must hire City-licensed subcontractors for each trade.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Loveland, Colorado

Verified

Required for construction of a new detached Accessory Dwelling Unit in Loveland. Effective July 1, 2026, the City adopts IRC Appendix BC (ADUs) with local amendments and allows a property owner to act as general contractor if all subcontractors hold City licenses. Submit via email to eplan-res@cityofloveland.org.

Verified 2026-07-03 · Source

From$175.92Building Permit Fee (valuation-based) — see all 2 fees below

When you need this permit

The structure must have water and sewer permanently attached to the ADU, tied into the primary dwelling's services
The structure requires its own separate power meter
The structure requires its own separate address from the primary residence, assigned by the City of Loveland
The structure must be on a permanent foundation
The structure cannot be located near overhead power lines with less than 10 ft vertical / 5 ft horizontal clearance
Setbacks must be confirmed with the Planning Department for the specific property
Effective July 1, 2026: a property owner may be the general contractor on their own ADU, but must hire City-licensed subcontractors for each trade (the owner cannot self-perform trade work unless it is their primary residence, per the standard homeowner exemption)
Foundation and framing drawings must be sealed by a professional engineer
Energy code compliance requires an energy code inspection list and Manuals J, D, and S; the prescriptive path requires ResChecks; a qualified third party must perform all energy inspections

Required documents

Required
Building Permit Application
Standard City of Loveland Building Permit Application
Optional
Architectural Review Committee Letter
Signed and completed if required by the subdivision's HOA/ARC
Required
Site Plan / Grading Plan
1 plot plan (electronic or 8.5x11in) showing dimensions of the home, detached garage, proposed ADU footprint, lot dimensions/easements, and distances from each structure edge to each lot line
Required
Electric Service Worksheet (ESW)
Required from Loveland Water and Power for the meter and service power line
Required
Architectural Plans
Elevations (2 sides minimum), floor plan(s), building section, stair section, fire separation detail (Dwelling-Garage R302.6 or Two-Family Dwelling R302.3; crawlspace Fire Protection of Floors R302.13), and detail sections for decks/porches/retaining walls over 4 ft
Required
Foundation and Framing Drawings
Must be sealed and signed by a professional engineer
Required
Energy Code Compliance Forms
Energy code inspection list, Manuals J/D/S; prescriptive path requires ResChecks; qualified third party performs all energy inspections
Optional
Foundation Setback and Elevation Certification
Completed once construction begins; picked up on-site by Building Inspectors at the Footing/Foundation/UFER inspection
Optional
Residential Lot Stormwater Quality Permit Application
Required for land-disturbance activities (grading, excavating, stockpiling, clearing, vegetation removal)
Optional
Residential Certification of Lot Grading and Structure Elevation
Completed during final inspection; picked up on-site at the Final Grade Cert inspection (or a Residential Alternate Certification may be submitted if required elevations cannot be met)

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Building Permit Fee (valuation-based)	Based on the current ICC Building Valuation Data applied to project square footage (R-3 one/two-family Type VB valuation $175.92/sq ft effective March 15, 2026)	City of Loveland Building Valuation Data Table and 2026 Fee Schedule
Residential Plan Review Fee	65% of the Building Permit Fee	City of Loveland 2026 Fee Schedule

Review timeline

10–10 business days

Loveland’s published plan-review target

Inspection process

1
Footing/Foundation/UFER
Building Inspectors collect the completed Foundation Setback and Elevation Certification on-site at this inspection
2
Framing
Verifies fire separation detail (Dwelling-Garage or Two-Family Dwelling separation) and structural framing per sealed engineer drawings
3
Final Grade Certification
Building Inspectors collect the completed Residential Certification of Lot Grading and Structure Elevation on-site at this inspection
4
Final Building
All work complete, energy code compliance verified by qualified third party

Tips

Once a full submittal is received and accepted through the check-in process, the review time is 10 business days, per the City's New Detached ADU Submittal Check List.
The homeowner cannot construct or general-contract the ADU project unless the ADU will be their primary residence — otherwise a licensed general contractor is required.
The ADU requires its own separate address (assigned by the City) and its own separate electric meter — it is not simply wired through the primary home's panel.
Effective July 1, 2026, IRC Appendix BC (ADUs) applies with City amendments aligning it to the Unified Development Code; confirm current zoning-based ADU eligibility and size limits with the Planning Department separately from the building-permit checklist.

Frequently asked questions

How long does ADU permit review take in Loveland?: Once a full submittal is received and accepted through the check-in process, the review time is 10 business days. Source: City of Loveland New Detached ADU Submittal Check List.
Can I be my own contractor for an ADU in Loveland?: The homeowner cannot construct or general contract the ADU project unless it will be their primary residence. Effective July 1, 2026, a property owner may act as general contractor on their ADU but must hire City-licensed subcontractors for each trade.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.

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 Loveland building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Other permits in Loveland

Residential Building Permit (New Construction)Residential Addition / Remodel / Alteration Permit Electrical Permit Plumbing Permit Mechanical / HVAC Permit Re-Roofing Permit Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (PV) / DER Permit Complete Structure Demolition Permit Fence and Retaining Wall Standards

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in other cities

Broomfield, Colorado Centennial, Colorado Livingston, Montana Pocatello, Idaho Post Falls, Idaho Unincorporated Pima County, Arizona

Compare accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit fees across Colorado →

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