Accessory Structures in Grand Junction, CO (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for Grand Junction, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In the City of Grand Junction, an accessory dwelling unit is allowed with any single-unit detached or attached dwelling or a duplex, capped at 900 square feet of habitable space, and requires a Planning Clearance under GJMC § 21.04.040(e)(1)(i) before construction; ADUs don't count toward density limits, and stricter PD or ODP restrictions on them are unenforceable.
Grand Junction Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules
Some RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 21.04.040(e)(1)(i)
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is allowed only in conjunction with a single-unit attached dwelling, a single-unit detached dwelling, or a duplex dwelling. ... ADUs shall not be included in density calculations. A Planning Clearance is required for any ADU and an ADU must demonstrate compliance with the following: (A) Maximum Number of ADUs. a. A lot with one single-unit detached dwelling or a...
ADU Impact Fees
In the City of Grand Junction, the Accessory Dwelling Unit Production Program lets the City pay a developer's water and sewer plant investment fees and development impact fees on a qualifying ADU instead of billing the applicant. The Community Development Director must approve or deny a complete fee-payment application within 45 days.
Grand Junction ADU Impact Fee Payment
Some RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code §§ 43.01.010, 43.01.060
“Development impact fee” or “impact fee” means certain fees now collected or as may be later applied and collected, also known as development impact fee(s), for the purposes of police, fire, parks and recreation, transportation capacity and/or other governmental functions and services. ... § 43.01.060. Fees. ... (a) Fees are as defined in GJMC § 43.01.010. Fees do not include amounts paid to, c...
ADU Owner Occupancy
To qualify for Grand Junction's extra $15,000 ADU incentive on top of standard fee payment, the property owner must live in the home or ADU as a primary residence and prove it with a deed and affidavit at application, plus show household income at or below 140 percent of area median income.
Grand Junction ADU Owner-Occupancy Proof
Significant RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code §§ 43.01.010, 43.01.060(b)(4)
Owner-occupied property(ies)is a piece of real estate in which the person who holds the title (owns the property) also uses the home or an ADU located on the property as the owner’s primary residence and lives on site. ... (i) Provide proof of owner-occupancy of the property (in the form of a deed) and affidavit indicating intent for owner-occupancy as a primary residence for the term of the pr...
ADU Rental Restrictions
To collect the City's ADU fee payment in Grand Junction, a developer must record a covenant in Mesa County land records banning short-term rental of the ADU or the main house for five years, extended to seven years for owner-occupied applicants who take the additional $15,000 incentive.
Grand Junction ADU Short-Term Rental Covenant
Significant RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 43.01.060(b), (c)
(i) Agree to execute and record in the Mesa County land title records a binding restrictive covenant, in a form provided by the City, that no short-term rental be permitted as a use of either the ADU or principal structure on the property for a period of no less than five years; ... (ii) ... Agree to execute and record in the Mesa County land title records a binding restrictive covenant (see at...
Shed & Carport Rules
In the City of Grand Junction, backyard sheds and other accessory structures are capped at 75% of the principal home's square footage in higher-density residential zones (R-2R and above), or 75% of the house or 10% of the lot in lower-density zones, whichever is greater. Sheds also cannot sit in a front yard or a corner lot's exterior side yard without an Administrative Adjustment.
Grand Junction Shed & Accessory Building Size Limits
Some RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 21.04.040(c)(3)-(4)
In all zone districts, accessory structures shall not be located in the front yard or the exterior side yard of a corner lot unless approved by an Administrative Adjustment in accordance with GJMC § 21.02.040(c). ... (i) In Residential zone districts with a density of two units per acre or higher (R-2R and above), the size of accessory structures, except accessory dwelling units, will be limite...
Tiny Homes
Grand Junction defines a tiny home as a chassis-built, IRC-certified dwelling of no more than 400 square feet, distinct from a manufactured home or RV. GJMC § 21.14.020 lets a qualifying tiny home count as either a single-unit detached dwelling or an accessory dwelling unit.
Grand Junction tiny home definition and placement
Some RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 21.14.020
Dwelling, tiny homemeans a structure that: (1) Is permanently constructed on a vehicle chassis; (2) Is designed for long-term residency; (3) Includes electrical, mechanical, or plumbing services that are fabricated, formed, or assembled at a location other than the site of the completed home; (4) Is not self-propelled; and (5) Has a square footage of not more than 400 square feet. In order to m...
Looking for Mesa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Grand Junction city rules.
Accessory Structures in Mesa County →