Greeley's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In Greeley, Colorado, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

ADU Impact Fees

Greeley waives the separate water tap and sanitary sewer connection required of new dwellings when an accessory dwelling unit shares its principal home's taps and meets the ADU standards in § 24-403(b).

Key details: Water tap: No separate tap if shared, code-compliant. Sewer line: No separate line if shared, code-compliant. ADU standard cited: § 24-403(b). General impact fee: Still applies to new sq. footage. Governing sections: §§ 20-252(a)(1), 20-299(a)(1).

Installing a separate water tap or sewer line for an ADU without qualifying under § 20-252(a)(1)/§ 20-299(a)(1) triggers the standard plant investment fee for that connection before service is approved.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Greeley gives residents more flexibility on adu impact fees.

ADU Rules

Greeley allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot with a detached house or duplex, capped at 60 percent of the principal home's living area or 1,200 square feet, whichever is less, under Sec. 24-403.b.

Key details: Units per lot: One ADU maximum. Size cap: 60% of home or 1,200 sf. Eligible principal use: Detached house or duplex only. Governing section: § 24-403.b.

Building or renting an ADU over the 60-percent/1,200-square-foot cap, adding a second accessory unit on one lot, or skipping the required parking and design standards is enforceable as a zoning code violation.

Shed & Carport Rules

Greeley treats a shed as a 'minor structure': 120 square feet max, 12 feet max height, and no side or rear setback unless it sits on a slab, which then requires 5 feet. Lots may have up to three, all behind the rear building line.

Key details: Max shed size: 120 sq ft. Max height: 12 feet. Max per lot: 3 (1 per 10,000 sf). Setback on slab: 5 feet. Permit threshold: Exempt ≤120 sq ft (§ 22-78).

A code infraction under § 24-104(c), enforced through Title 1, Chapter 10: fines start at $100, rise to $250 for a second violation within 24 months, and $500 for a third, plus stop-work orders and abatement costs.

The Bottom Line

Greeley's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Greeley is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Greeley's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.