Accessory Structures in Douglas County, CO (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Douglas County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Unincorporated Douglas County allows one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per lot in the A-1 Agricultural district. A detached ADU needs at least one acre on central water, or two acres on a well. A second ADU is allowed only on parcels of 35 acres or more.
Accessory Dwelling Units in Unincorporated Douglas County
Some RestrictionsDCZR Section 303.01 (A-1 Agricultural One District)
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) – one per lot, except as restricted by a Rural Site Plan, subdivision plat, or other similar land use approval. A second ADU may be allowed subject to Section 325, Second Accessory Dwelling Unit Standards.
Shed & Carport Rules
In unincorporated Douglas County, an accessory building such as a shed is capped at 20 feet tall under Zoning Resolution Section 1-714, while the principal house tops out at 35 feet. Side and rear setbacks scale with lot size under Section 1-712, and lots over half an acre carry a separate 15-foot accessory setback from the rear line.
Shed and Accessory Building Rules in Douglas County
Some RestrictionsDouglas County Zoning Resolution §§ 1-712 to 1-714 (SR Suburban Residential District)
§ 1-712. Minimum Setbacks. [3/8/2022] ... Greater than 0.5 acres and less than 1.0 acre: Side Lot Line 10*; Rear Lot Line 20*; Accessory: 15*. ... 1.0 acre or greater: Side Lot Line 15*; Rear Lot Line 25*; Accessory: 15*. ... § 1-713. Encroachments. [6/14/2006; 3/8/2022] ... 6. Structures that do not require building permits may encroach into a rear setback. Any encroachment into an easement re...
Garage Conversions
Douglas County has no garage-conversion-specific ordinance, but converting a garage to habitable or separate living space requires a building permit, must meet the building code, and must keep the required off-street parking. A separate living unit is treated as an ADU and must meet ADU rules.
Converting a Garage to Living Space
Some RestrictionsDCZR Section 711 (SR - Suburban Residential District)
The minimum off-street parking spaces required: 2 spaces per dwelling. Unlicensed, operable vehicles parked outside shall be concealed by a solid fence, berm, vegetative barrier, or a combination thereof. Inoperable vehicles are prohibited.
Tiny Homes
Douglas County has no tiny-home-specific ordinance. A tiny house on a permanent foundation must meet the 2021 building code and zoning like any dwelling. A tiny house on wheels is treated as an RV or mobile home and cannot be a permanent residence outside the MH district.
Tiny Homes: Foundation vs. Wheels
Some RestrictionsDCZR Section 302.10 (A-1 Agricultural One District)
Residence ... Caretaker – one (1) per lot: Mobile home, when a principal single-family dwelling exists on the lot. Principal – one (1) single-family dwelling or one (1) group home per lot (excluding mobile home).
Accessory Structures by City in Douglas County
1 cities in Douglas County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Douglas County ordinances
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