Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Gillette, Wyoming
VerifiedGillette's Adopted Zoning Ordinance (Ord. No. 4056, 12/17/2024) has NO dedicated 'Accessory Dwelling Unit' zoning category, definition, or standalone permit type. A full-text search of the current ordinance (SECTION 11. Definitions and all District Standards sections, via online.encodeplus.com/regs/gillette-wy-rewrite) returns only 'Accessory Structure' and 'Accessory Use' as defined terms — there is no ADU-specific use classification, size cap, or parking standard. A secondary living space on a single-family lot is built and permitted under the generic Accessory Structure/Accessory Use standards and the standard residential building permit process for the applicable zoning district (e.g., R-1 Single-Family Residential, R-2 Two-Family Residential).
Verified 2026-07-01 · Source
When you need this permit
- No dedicated ADU zoning category exists in Gillette's Adopted Zoning Ordinance (confirmed via full-text search of the current code, Ord. No. 4056, 12/17/2024)
- A detached or attached secondary structure/living space is evaluated as an 'Accessory Structure' ("a structure located on the same zone lot as the structure containing the primary, permitted use... detached or attached to the primary structure but must be subordinate and customarily incidental to the use of the primary structure") under the applicable residential district's dimensional standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage)
- Construction is permitted under the standard residential building permit process (2024 IRC) plus separate electrical/plumbing/mechanical permits as applicable
- Contact the City Planning Division ((307) 686-5281, cityplan@gillettewy.gov) BEFORE applying to confirm which zoning district applies to the property and whether a proposed secondary dwelling/living space is allowed as an accessory use there
- Contact the Building Division ((307) 686-5260) to confirm which building permit types (new construction vs. addition/remodel) apply to the specific project
Required documents
- Req
Building Permit Application (via EnerGov Self Service)
Standard residential building permit process applies; no separate ADU-specific application form exists
- Req
Site Plan
Property lines, existing structures, proposed accessory structure location, setbacks — for Planning Division zoning review
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (accessory structure/detached living space, by resulting square footage) | $30–$150+$0.04/sq ft — same Building Square Feet table as new construction | City Code § 5-IV-1(b); no separate ADU fee line exists because no dedicated ADU permit type exists |
| Electrical / Plumbing / Mechanical permits (as applicable) | See electrical-permit, plumbing-permit, and mechanical-hvac-permit fee tables | Charged under the same per-type fee schedules as any other residential construction |
Review timeline
~0–10 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Gillette building department
Inspection process
- 1
Foundation
Footings/foundation before concrete pour, per soils engineer verification
- 2
Framing
Structural framing per applicable district's Accessory Structure setback/height standards
- 3
MEP Rough-In
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing rough-ins before walls closed
- 4
Final
All work complete, ready for occupancy
Tips
- Gillette does not have a dedicated ADU ordinance the way some other Wyoming cities (e.g., Cheyenne) do — there is no ADU-specific size cap, parking rule, or owner-occupancy provision in the current zoning code. This means a secondary dwelling is governed by the general Accessory Structure/Accessory Use rules of whatever residential zoning district the property sits in, which vary district-by-district (compare R-R, R-S, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 setback/height tables).
- Always confirm with the City Planning Division before applying — whether a secondary living unit is an allowed 'accessory use' in a given district is a case-by-case zoning determination, not a codified ADU pathway.
- If Gillette adopts a dedicated ADU ordinance in the future, this entry should be updated accordingly — as of the 2026-07-01 verification date, no such ordinance exists.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Gillette have an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance?
- No. As of the 2026-07-01 verification date, Gillette's Adopted Zoning Ordinance (Ord. No. 4056, 12/17/2024) has no dedicated ADU zoning category, definition, or permit type. A secondary dwelling/living space is instead evaluated under the general 'Accessory Structure' and 'Accessory Use' standards of the applicable residential zoning district. Contact the City Planning Division at (307) 686-5281 to confirm what's allowed on a specific property.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-01.
- City of Gillette Development Services — Building Division — official building department
- City of Gillette Adopted Zoning Ordinance (Ord. No. 4056, 12/17/2024) — 'Accessory Structure' definition, SECTION 11. Definitions
- City of Gillette City Planning Division
- City of Gillette Zoning Ordinance (Planning Division page)
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 Gillette building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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