Accessory Structures in Arapahoe County, CO (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Arapahoe County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Arapahoe County reviews ADU compliance at the building permit stage, and requires a recorded deed restriction before it will issue a certificate of occupancy. The principal dwelling must already exist, or be built at the same time as the ADU.
Arapahoe County ADU Permit & Deed Restriction
Some RestrictionsArapahoe County Land Development Code § 3-3.2.D.19, D.20, D.21
19. Deed Restriction Before obtaining a certificate of occupancy for an ADU, the property owner of record shall record a deed restriction on the lot or parcel proposed for an ADU with the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder... 21. Process Compliance with these ADU regulations will be reviewed at the time of building permit application.
ADU Owner Occupancy
An owner of record must live in either the principal dwelling or the ADU on any Arapahoe County parcel with an accessory dwelling unit. The Planning Division Manager can waive this for absences under a year if the owner has held the permitted use at least two years.
Arapahoe County ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Significant RestrictionsArapahoe County Land Development Code § 3-3.2.D.18
18. Owner Occupancy The property owner of record, as reflected in the Arapahoe County land title records and evidenced by voter registration, vehicle registration, or other similar means, must reside in either the principal dwelling or the ADU. The Planning Division Manager or designee may waive this requirement for temporary absences of less than one year provided that the owner has maintained...
ADU Rental Restrictions
An accessory dwelling unit in unincorporated Arapahoe County cannot be used as a short-term rental unless the underlying parcel is nine acres or larger. Below that acreage threshold, short-term rental use of an ADU is flatly barred by the zoning code.
Arapahoe County ADU Short-Term Rental Limit
Significant RestrictionsArapahoe County Land Development Code § 3-3.2.D.2
An ADU shall not be sold independently of the principal dwelling on the parcel. An ADU shall not be allowed on a lot or parcel unless the principal single-family dwelling unit is being used as such. An ADU is considered an accessory use and shall not be included in any density calculations... An ADU shall not be used or occupied for Short-Term Rental use except where the underlying property is ...
Shed & Carport Rules
In unincorporated Arapahoe County, any accessory building over 120 square feet or taller than 10 feet must meet the same yard setbacks and height limits as the zone district's principal structure. Outside agricultural use, accessory structures on a lot are capped at 10 percent of lot area or 1,000 square feet, whichever is smaller, with a 15-foot height ceiling, under LDC § 7-2.
Arapahoe County Shed & Accessory Building Rules
Some RestrictionsArapahoe County Land Development Code § 7-2, Accessory Buildings
Accessory uses and structures are not permitted unless and until the principal permitted use has been established on the property. A. Accessory buildings greater than 120 square feet in size and/or 10 feet in height shall observe all yard and height requirements. B. Except as otherwise allowed in this Code, structures constructed for accessory uses shall not be used for dwelling purposes. C. Ex...
Accessory Structures by City in Arapahoe County
2 cities in Arapahoe County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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