Accessory Structures in Mesa County, CO (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Mesa County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Mesa County caps accessory dwelling units at 900 square feet on lots under half an acre, 1,200 square feet on lots between half an acre and one acre, and 1,500 square feet, or half the principal home's living area, whichever is larger, on lots of an acre or more, under Section 6.04(E) of the Land Development Code.
Mesa County ADU Size Limits by Lot
Some RestrictionsMesa County Land Development Code § 6.04(E)(2)(a)-(b)
a. Only one (1) attached or detached accessory dwelling shall be allowed per parcel or lot. ... (1) On parcels or lots less than one half (1/2) acre in size: A maximum of nine hundred (900) square feet is allowed. (2) On parcels or lots greater than one half (1/2) acre but less than one (1) acre in size: A maximum of one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet is allowed. (3) On parcels or lot...
ADU Owner Occupancy
If the owner doesn't live in either the principal home or the accessory dwelling on a Mesa County parcel, Section 6.04(E)(2)(d) forces a local property manager onto the property: a county resident on call by phone at all times the home is rented, with the Planning Department notified any time that representative changes.
Mesa County ADU Local Manager Rule
Significant RestrictionsMesa County Land Development Code § 6.04(E)(2)(d)(1)-(2)
d. Property Manager or Representative. If the principal dwelling or the accessory dwelling is not occupied by the owner of the parcel or lot on which the accessory dwelling is located, a local property manager or representative shall be required. (1) The local property manager or representative shall be a county resident who can be contacted by telephone and is available at all times when the h...
ADU Rental Restrictions
A Mesa County accessory dwelling parcel cannot be rented at all during any stretch when its required local representative isn't available: Section 6.04(E)(2)(d)(3) of the Land Development Code states the property shall not be rented any time the local representative is not available.
Mesa County ADU Rental Availability Rule
Significant RestrictionsMesa County Land Development Code § 6.04(E)(2)(d)(2)-(3)
(2) If the local representative changes, it shall be the responsibility of the owner to immediately notify the Mesa County Planning Department of the new representative's name and phone number. (3) The property shall not be rented any time the local representative is not available.
Shed & Carport Rules
Mesa County caps accessory buildings like sheds and detached garages at two stories or 25 feet, and one small accessory structure can go up before the house is built. Setbacks follow the underlying zoning district with a narrow reduced-setback exception.
Accessory Structure Rules in Mesa County
Some RestrictionsMesa County Land Development Code § 6.03
SECTION 6.03 | ACCESSORY STRUCTURES No accessory structures shall be allowed on the subject parcel until after all required permits and approvals for the principal use, structure or activity have been obtained except as provided below ... 1. Height: The maximum height of accessory buildings or structures shall not exceed two (2) stories or twenty-five (25) feet, except within the I-1, I-2, or R...
Tiny Homes
Mesa County's Land Development Code lets tiny homes serve as short-term "Experiential Lodging" on working farms, ranches, vineyards and orchards in the unincorporated county, as an accessory agritourism use. Section 12.07 caps lodging at one unit per acre of land in agricultural production, up to ten units total, with stays limited to fourteen days or less and portable or vault toilets required on-site.
Mesa County Tiny Homes as Agritourism Lodging
Some RestrictionsMesa County Land Development Code § 12.07.A.5.a(6)
(6) Experiential Lodging: (a) Maximum number of lodging units shall be no greater than one (1) lodging unit per one (1) acre in agricultural production up to a maximum of ten (10) lodging units; (b) Lodging shall be short-term, fourteen (14) days or less; (c) Lodging units shall be exempt from standards listed in Section 6.02 E. of this LDC. (d) Temporary portable toilets (port-a-potty) or appr...
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