Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Grand Junction, Colorado

Grand Junction requires an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit for: ADU must be subordinate in design to the principal structure (smaller than the primary dwelling); ADU must use the side setbacks of the principal structure; on corner lots, an ADU may use the principal structure's setbacks where the property abuts a roadway; ADU must meet all requirements of building and fire codes (2024 IRC/IBC as adopted by Mesa County); ADU habitable space must not exceed 900 square feet; ADU must not be located in front of the principal structure; A City of Grand Junction Planning Clearance Application is required (fee adjusted annually) before the Mesa County building permit can be issued; A site sketch drawn to scale and with dimensions is required, showing property lines, setbacks, easements, utility connections (water/sewer/electric/gas — including how utilities connect to both the principal structure and the ADU), drainage patterns, and an acceptance block signed by the City Development Engineer and City Planner; Floor plan(s) and building elevations showing all four sides (north, south, east, west) are required; Storm water runoff cannot flow onto neighboring property; all drainage must be directed to adjacent public rights-of-way or established drainage areas, and must be shown on the site sketch; Sediment cannot be released from the ADU construction site and mud must be kept off streets, per City ordinance; A Floodplain Elevation Certificate (FEC) is required if the site is located within a floodplain — contact City of Grand Junction Community Development for floodplain determination. If your project isn't listed, confirm with Mesa County Building Department (Community Development Department) at (970) 244-1631 before starting work.

In Grand Junction, the published City Planning Clearance Application Fee is: Adjusted annually (specific current dollar amount not published on the ADU Worksheets document; confirm with City of Grand Junction Community Development). Additional published fees: Mesa County Building Permit Fee — R-3 valuation-based — $50.00 minimum (up to $1,200 valuation), scaling per Table 2 Permit Fee Schedule using Table 3A R-3 square-foot construction costs; ADU Production Program (APP) Tier 1 Incentive — City impact fees and City water/sewer fees paid by the City (open to all ADU developers who commit to 5 years of long-term rental use); ADU Production Program (APP) Tier 2 Incentive — City impact/water/sewer fees paid by the City, plus a direct financial incentive, up to $15,000 total combined (for owner-occupants with household income below 140% AMI who commit to 7 years of long-term rental use and owner residency). These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Grand Junction's published plan-review target for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit is 14–21 business days.

You'll need: City of Grand Junction Planning Clearance Application; ADU Site Sketch; Floor Plan(s) and Building Elevations; Mesa County Application for Permit to Build. Depending on your project, Grand Junction may also ask for: ADU Production Program (APP) Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Grand Junction requires 3 inspection(s) for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit, in order: Foundation, Rough-In, Final. Schedule each through Mesa County Building Department (Community Development Department) ((970) 244-1631).

Apply through Mesa County Building Department (Community Development Department) at 200 S. Spruce Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501 (mailing: PO Box 20,000-5005, Grand Junction, CO 81502-5001). Phone: (970) 244-1631, email: mccomdev@mesacounty.us. Office hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; permit issuance after 4:30 p.m. is on a limited basis and no multiple permits are issued after 4:30 p.m. (Source: Mesa County Building Department Fees page). Official information: https://www.mesacounty.us/departments-and-services/community-development/building.

900 square feet of habitable space, per the City of Grand Junction's General ADU Requirements checklist (part of the ADU Production Program, Ordinance No. 5136).

Yes. The ADU Production Program (APP) offers Tier 1 (City-paid impact and water/sewer fees for any ADU developer committing to 5 years of long-term rental use) and Tier 2 (same fee coverage plus up to $15,000 total direct incentive, for owner-occupants under 140% AMI who commit to 7 years of long-term rental use and residency). Incentives are distributed first-come, first-served and require an existing Planning Clearance number to apply.