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.

For questions about this program, contact Brian Nakamura at Community Justice Services: (303) 441-7089 or email Community Justice [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Gunbarrel office without an appointment.

Funding of $63,000 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 2025 budget session.

Eligibility

The Legion Park open space property encompasses 1,911 acres and features 6 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

The Community Justice Services processed over 3,320 applications last year, with an average processing time of 19 business days. Staff are available at the Gunbarrel office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Details

Colorado state law requires all counties to provide these services to eligible residents. Boulder County exceeds minimum state requirements by offering expanded hours, multilingual support, and online access. In 2025, the county received a state award for excellence in service delivery.

The program is modeled after similar successful initiatives in Larimer County and Jefferson County. Boulder County’s version includes additional provisions for wildfire mitigation, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability.