Arvada, CO Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Table 2-1-3-3A sets the maximum height for a principal residential building at 35 feet in the largest-lot RN-32.5 subdistrict and 28 feet in every other RN subdistrict, RN-12.5 through RN-D. Detached accessory dwelling units are capped lower still, at 30 feet in RN-32.5 and 25 feet everywhere else, and general accessory buildings (other than barns and stables) top out at 20 feet in RN-32.5 and 16 feet in the remaining subdistricts. Barns and stables, permitted only in RA and RN-32.5, may reach 35 feet in RN-32.5 and 30 feet in RN-12.5. Mini-structures such as small sheds are capped separately at 12 feet under Table 5-1-4-3.

Section 2-1-10-2 lists specific rooftop features that do not count toward these limits at all: chimneys, cornices without windows, cupolas, elevator penthouses, rooftop decks, parapet walls, skylights, spires, wireless communication facilities, towers, ventilators, water tanks and similar mechanical appurtenances are exempt, provided that (except for rooftop decks) they cover no more than 25 percent of the roof area and meet the mechanical-equipment screening standards in Section 5-1-2-3. Antennas are exempt if they comply with the height limits in Section 5-1-5-4, and roof-mounted small-scale solar systems and small wind energy conversion systems are exempt if they meet the renewable-energy standards of Section 5-1-4-4. Where a home in the R6, R13 or R24 district abuts an RA or RN property, Section 2-1-10-3's height transition zone can further limit building height within 25 to 45 feet of that boundary line, capping it at the shorter neighboring district's maximum.