Loveland, CO Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Loveland, CO, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- Max ADU size
- 900 sq ft floor area (more on large lots)
- ADUs per lot
- One only
- Interior side/rear setback
- Five feet
- Off-street parking
- Not required for the ADU
- Governing section
- UDC § 18.04.07.01
- Effective date
- January 20, 2026 (Ord. 6805)
Summary
Loveland's Unified Development Code permits one accessory dwelling unit per single-family detached lot in Larimer County, Colorado, capped at 900 square feet of floor area. The ADU must share the lot with the primary home, have its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom and address, and meet five-foot side and rear setbacks, with no off-street parking required.
A. Generally. Accessory dwelling units ("ADUs") are subject to the standards of this Section... ADUs are allowed as accessory uses to single-family detached dwelling units that are conforming uses under this UDC. ADUs are not included in the calculation of residential density as set forth in Section 18.03.02.02, Residential Density and are not counted towards the maximum density allowed in a residential PUD. ... 2. Only one ADU is allowed per lot. 3. Off-street parking is not required for an ADU. ... C. Setbacks. ADUs (attached or detached from the principal dwelling) shall be set back from the applicable lot lines as follows: 1. Front: Equal to or greater than the actual front setback for the principal dwelling or building with which it is associated. 2. Street Side: Same as required for the principal building. 3. Interior Side: Five feet. 4. Interior Rear: Five feet. 5. Alley: Five feet. ... D. Size. 1. Maximum Floor Area: The maximum floor area including all floor planes, but excluding attached garages, is 900 square feet.
Full Breakdown
01 governs accessory dwelling units (ADUs) citywide, effective January 20, 2026 under Ordinance 6805. An ADU is allowed only as an accessory use to a conforming single-family detached dwelling on the same lot, except in the North Cleveland Overlay Zone. It must have a separate exterior entrance, independent cooking and bathing facilities, and its own street address, and an attached or internal ADU cannot connect internally to the principal home. Only one ADU is permitted per lot, and off-street parking is not required for it.
F. The base floor-area cap is 900 square feet, excluding attached garages, and that area does not count toward the property's Building Coverage Ratio scale-threshold limits. 04 are paid. Water and wastewater service to the ADU must tie into the principal dwelling's service, but electric and water utilities must be able to be shut off independently. Where the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority requires it, the owner must maintain a clear, unobstructed path from the street or driveway to the ADU.
Violations & Fines
Building an ADU that exceeds the 900-square-foot cap, lacks a separate entrance, or shares an internal connection to the main house is a UDC violation under § 18.18.02.01, with each day the noncompliant structure stands treated as a separate offense. The Code Enforcement Officer or Building Official can issue a correction order under § 18.18.02.03; ignoring it exposes the owner to a fine or up to one year's imprisonment under § 18.18.03.02, Criminal Penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a Loveland ADU be?
Do I need off-street parking for an ADU?
How many ADUs can I build on one lot?
What setbacks apply to a detached ADU?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Loveland
How Loveland compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Compare Loveland to another location·View the Colorado accessory structures overview
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ADU Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Larimer County handle adu rules.