How Colorado Springs Handles Accessory Structures: A Practical Guide

Colorado Springs maintains 135 local ordinances across all categories, and 9 of those deal specifically with accessory structures. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Colorado Springs falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Tiny Homes

Tiny homes on foundations in Colorado Springs must comply with the full International Residential Code as adopted, including a minimum 120-square-foot habitable room under IRC Appendix Q (tiny house appendix) where adopted. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are treated as recreational vehicles and cannot be permanently occupied as primary residences in most residential zones.

Key details: Foundation Min Size: 120 sq ft habitable room. THOW Status: RV, not primary residence. Ceiling Min: 6 feet 8 inches habitable. Loft Ceiling Min: 6 feet 4 inches. ADU Option: Up to 750 sq ft as of 2023.

Occupying a THOW on residential property outside an RV park is a zoning violation with 100-dollar daily fines. Foundation-built tiny homes without full permits face 1,000-dollar fines plus triple-rate retro permitting.

This is one of the stricter rules in Colorado Springs's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Carport Rules

Carports in Colorado Springs require a building permit from Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. They are permitted as accessory structures in all residential zones with setbacks of 5 feet from side and rear lot lines, 25 feet from front. Maximum height is 15 feet and structures must be designed for the Front Range 115-mph wind and 30-psf snow load.

Key details: Side and Rear Setback: 5 feet. Front Setback: 25 feet. Max Height: 15 feet. Wind Design: 115 mph. Snow Load: 30 psf.

Carports built without permits are cited at 300 dollars plus triple-rate retro permitting. Collapsed or unsafe structures may be condemned and removal ordered at owner expense.

ADU Owner Occupancy

The Colorado Springs Unified Development Code (UDC) adopted in 2023 does not impose a strict owner-occupancy requirement on accessory dwelling units in most residential zones. Property owners may rent both the principal dwelling and the ADU long-term provided each unit meets habitability standards. Some Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) and Master Plan overlays retain owner-occupancy conditions.

Key details: UDC Standard (2023+): No owner-occupancy required. Legacy PUDs: May retain owner-occupancy. Density Bonus Affordable: Owner-occupancy via deed restriction. HOA Authority: Enforceable under CCIOA.

Operating an ADU contrary to a PUD or CUP owner-occupancy condition is a code violation with civil penalties up to $1,000 per day under City Code § 1.1.107. HOA owner-occupancy enforcement is civil under CCIOA. Recorded deed restrictions can be enforced by neighbors with standing.

The rules around adu owner occupancy in Colorado Springs lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

ADU Rental Restrictions

Long-term rentals (30+ days) of ADUs are permitted under the Colorado Springs UDC § 7.4 without owner occupancy in most zones. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are regulated under City Code Chapter 7.5.1206 with a strict Non-Owner-Occupied STR cap (currently no new permits in most R districts) and a 500-foot dispersal rule. ADUs typically cannot become non-owner-occupied STRs.

Key details: Long-Term Rental: Permitted (no owner-occupancy). STR Code: City Code § 7.5.1206. Owner-Occupied STR: Permitted in most R districts. Non-Owner STR: New permits frozen in most R. Dispersal Rule: 500 ft from existing STR.

Operating an unpermitted STR carries civil penalties up to $1,000 per day under City Code § 1.1.107. The City contracts with Granicus to monitor Airbnb/VRBO listings citywide. Repeat violations may result in zoning enforcement actions and lodgers tax collection actions.

ADU Permits

Colorado Springs allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) under the Unified Development Code (UDC) adopted in 2023, codified in City Code Chapter 7. Detached and attached ADUs are permitted by right in most R-1 and R-2 single-family residential zone districts subject to a building permit reviewed by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD). No Conditional Use Permit is required for compliant ADUs.

Key details: Code Section: UDC § 7.4 (City Code Ch. 7). Review Type: Building permit (no CUP). Max Size: 1,000 sq ft or 50% of principal. Permit Authority: Pikes Peak Regional Building Dept. WUI Overlay: Defensible space required.

Building an ADU without permits is a code violation under City Code § 7.7 with civil penalties up to $1,000 per day under City Code § 1.1.107. Unpermitted work can result in stop-work orders, removal orders, and inability to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy. Title transfer is impaired by recorded violations.

ADU Impact Fees

Colorado Springs Utilities charges standard water, wastewater, and electric tap fees on ADUs requiring new service connections. No ADU-specific waiver exists. Building permit fees through PPRBD are based on construction valuation. Park land dedication and traffic impact fees under City Code Ch. 7.5 may apply for new dwelling units. Colorado has no statewide ADU fee waiver.

Key details: Water PIF (full new tap): ~$13,000–$18,000. Wastewater PIF: ~$4,000–$5,500. PPRBD Permit Range: $800–$2,500 typical. State Waiver: None. Shared Tap Option: Reduced secondary-dwelling fee.

Failure to pay PIFs and permit fees results in permit denial. Operating an ADU on an unauthorized water/sewer tap is a CSU service-rule violation and can result in service termination. Building code violations under City Code § 7.7 carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per day.

Shed Rules

In Colorado Springs, detached sheds and storage buildings are accessory structures regulated by UDC Subsection 7.3.304.A; structures under 200 square feet may sit in the rear setback and need no building permit, while larger ones must meet 5-to-10-foot setbacks and height limits, and total accessory floor area may not exceed that of the home.

Key details: Code Section: UDC Subsection 7.3.304.A (Accessory Uses - General Standards). Permit-exempt size: Less than 200 sq ft (one-story, on grade). Rear setback (>200 sq ft): 5 ft typical; 10 ft in A/R-E/R-1 9 or alley-facing garage doors. Max height in setback: 12 ft. Max height outside setback: 16 ft (<6:12) / 20 ft (>=6:12).

A shed placed in a front yard, in a required setback, over the height limit, or pushing total accessory floor area above the home's floor area violates UDC Subsection 7.3.304.A and is subject to zoning enforcement, which can require relocation or removal. Sheds over 200 square feet that proceed without a required building permit from the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department face stop-work and after-the-fact permit consequences.

The rules around shed rules in Colorado Springs lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Garage Conversions

Colorado Springs expressly allows an existing detached garage to be converted into an accessory dwelling unit; the converted garage must meet the ADU setbacks of UDC Subsection 7.3.304E, and under Colorado HB 24-1152 (C.R.S. 29-35-103) the City may not require a new off-street parking space for a garage-to-ADU conversion.

Key details: Code Section: UDC Subsection 7.3.304E.2 (Standards for Detached ADUs). State Law: HB 24-1152 / C.R.S. 29-35-103 (no new parking required). Garage conversion setbacks: Must meet ADU setbacks (5 ft rear; 10 ft if alley-facing). Mobile home / RV as ADU: Prohibited. Prefab / tiny homes: Allowed on permanent foundation with metered utilities.

Converting a garage to a dwelling unit without a building permit and ADU site-plan approval, or in a way that fails the ADU setbacks of UDC Subsection 7.3.304E, is subject to zoning enforcement under UDC Part 7.5.9, including correction or removal. A converted-garage ADU also may not be used as a short-term rental or sold separately from the principal dwelling.

Colorado Springs is more permissive than most cities when it comes to garage conversions. That said, there are still limits.

ADU Rules

Colorado Springs allows one accessory dwelling unit (ADU), plus up to two detached ADUs per lot, wherever single-family detached dwellings are permitted, with administrative approval and no required parking, under UDC Subsection 7.3.304E as amended to align with Colorado House Bill 24-1152 (C.R.S. 29-35-103).

Key details: Code Section: UDC Subsection 7.3.304E (Dwelling, Accessory). State Law: HB 24-1152 / C.R.S. 29-35-103. Where allowed: Anywhere single-family detached dwellings are allowed. Detached ADU max size: 50% of principal habitable area or 1,250 sq ft (750 sq ft if principal under 1,500 sq ft). Detached ADU max height: 25 ft (flat / <6:12) or 28 ft (>=6:12 pitch).

Building an ADU without a building permit and site-plan approval, or operating one as a short-term rental, can trigger zoning enforcement under UDC Part 7.5.9 (General Enforcement). In the R-E, R-1 9, and R-1 6 zone districts a recorded declaration of owner-occupancy restriction is required before a building permit issues, though no enforcement action may be brought against a tenant for an owner's failure to meet that requirement.

Colorado Springs is more permissive than most cities when it comes to adu rules. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Colorado Springs gives residents more room on accessory structures. 4 of the 9 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Colorado Springs can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.