Arvada, CO Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- RN-32.5 max coverage
- 25%
- RN-12.5 max coverage
- 35%
- RN-7.5/RN-6/RN-4 max coverage
- 40%
- RN-D duplex max coverage
- 30%
- Accessory buildings
- Count toward the same cap
- Governing table
- LDC Table 2-1-3-3A
Summary
Arvada caps how much of a residential lot a building can cover under Table 2-1-3-3A of the Land Development Code. The tightest limit sits in the largest-lot subdistrict, RN-32.5, at 25 percent lot coverage, while RN-7.5, RN-6 and RN-4 allow 40 percent and RN-D duplex lots are capped at 30 percent. Exceeding the cap is an enumerated Code violation.
Table 2-1-3-3A: Residential Neighborhood Lot and Building Standards Standard Subdistrict RN-32.5 RN-12.5 RN-7.5 RN-6 RN-4 RN-D Housing Type Single-Family Single-Family Single-Family Single-Family Single-Family Single-Family Duplex ... Max. Lot Coverage 25% 35% 40% 40% 40% 40% 30%
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: City Council Policy Manual: Supplement 1 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 67).
Full Breakdown
Table 2-1-3-3A, part of Division 2-1-3, Parks and Open Space and Residential Districts, sets the maximum lot coverage separately for each of the six Residential Neighborhood (RN) subdistricts. Single-family lots in RN-32.5, the largest-lot subdistrict at a 32,500-square-foot minimum, are capped at 25 percent lot coverage. RN-12.5 lots are capped at 35 percent. RN-7.5, RN-6 and RN-4 single-family lots, and RN-D single-family lots, all top out at 40 percent, while RN-D duplex lots (minimum 9,000 square feet combined) are limited to 30 percent. Nonresidential lots in the RN-32.5 and RN-12.5 subdistricts carry a stricter 25 percent cap, and nonresidential lots in the other four subdistricts share the 40 percent residential cap.
Accessory buildings count toward this limit: Section 5-1-5-3(C) states that "Accessory Buildings are counted towards the combined square footage of the principal building footprint and accessory structure(s) and shall not exceed the zoning district maximum lot coverage limitations." A homeowner adding a shed, detached garage, or ADU has to keep the combined footprint of the house and every accessory structure under the subdistrict's percentage cap, not just size the new structure on its own.
Section 10-1-2-1(A)(4) separately lists "increase the lot coverage above the maximum allowed by this LDC" as one of the specific enumerated violations subject to enforcement, distinct from ordinary setback or nonconformity violations, underscoring that lot coverage is independently policed alongside setbacks and building height in the City's zoning compliance reviews.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding a subdistrict's maximum lot coverage is specifically listed as a violation under Section 10-1-2-1(A)(4). The City can deny or withhold permits, issue a stop-work order under Section 10-1-2-2(E), or pursue an injunction or abatement action in Arvada Municipal Court. An uncorrected violation is a misdemeanor under Section 10-1-2-3, punishable by a fine set in Section 1-5 of the Municipal Code or up to 180 days in jail, with each day counted separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum lot coverage for a house in Arvada?
Do sheds and garages count toward the lot coverage limit?
What happens if a house is built beyond the lot coverage limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arvada
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Lot Coverage Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jefferson County handle lot coverage limits.