Commissioners Approve Accessory Dwelling Unit Code Amendment — April 2026

Commissioners Approve Accessory Dwelling Unit Code Amendment — April 2026

The Board of County Commissioners has approved amendments to the Boulder County Land Use Code to streamline the process for building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on residential properties in unincorporated areas. Changes include reduced setback requirements, simplified design standards, and by-right approval for units under 800 square feet.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $12,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

The Human Services processed over 11,291 applications last year, with an average processing time of 13 business days. Staff are available at the Lyons office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Timeline

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $68,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

A community information session will be held at the Lyons library on Monday, May 11 at 5:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

What You Need to Know

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 24 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Funding of $12,000 for this initiative comes from a combination of federal grants, state matching funds, and the Boulder County General Fund. The Board of County Commissioners approved the allocation during the 2026 budget session.