Accessory Structures in El Paso County, CO (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in El Paso County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
El Paso County allows a mother-in-law apartment up to the size of the primary home, capped at 1,500 square feet, but restricts it to family members or employees and bars a separate kitchen without a recorded no-rent affidavit.
El Paso County Mother-in-Law Apartment Rules
Some RestrictionsEl Paso County Land Development Code § 5.2.35(C)
A mother-in-law apartment shall be no larger than the total square footage of the primary residence, excluding any garage area, up to a maximum of 1500 square feet. A basement area of the principal residence utilized as a mother in law apartment is not subject to this size limit and may occupy the entire basement area. ...
ADU Rental Restrictions
A guest house on an unincorporated El Paso County lot can only house occasional, non-paying guests: leasing or renting it is prohibited and turns it into an illegal second dwelling.
El Paso County Guest House Rental Ban
Heavy RestrictionsEl Paso County Land Development Code § 5.2.28(C), (F)
(F) Occupancy Limited. A guest house shall only be utilized for occasional, no-paying guests or visitors, and may not be leased or rented. An occasional occupant may not receive mail, enroll in k-12 school, or establish permanent residency at the guest house. (C) Kitchen Allowed. A guest house shall not have a kitchen unless an affidavit signed by the owner is filed for recording with the Clerk...
Shed & Carport Rules
El Paso County caps carports built in front or side yard setbacks at 500 square feet and 12 feet tall, requires them over an approved driveway, and limits enclosed sides under the Land Development Code.
El Paso County Carport Size & Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsEl Paso County Land Development Code § 5.2.15.5 (Carports)
Carports shall not exceed 500 square feet and shall not exceed 12 feet at the highest point. B. Location and Access. Carports must be located over an approved driveway access and/or located in the area between an approved driveway access and the nearest side yard property line. Entry into a carport must be made f...
Tiny Homes
El Paso County limits unincorporated lots to one tiny house as a principal use, two in the A-35 Agricultural district, plus one more where a guest house is allowed.
El Paso County Tiny House Per-Lot Limit
Some RestrictionsEl Paso County Land Development Code § 5.2.55(B), Tiny House, Single Lot
One tiny house shall be allowed as a principle use on an individual lot or parcel, except in the A-35 (Agricultural) zoning district where two tiny houses may be allowed. One additional tiny house may be allowed on an individual lot or parcel where a guest house is permitted. (C) Minimum Construction Standard. ...
Accessory Structures by City in El Paso County
1 cities in El Paso County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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