Denver · ADU
How long does ADU permitting take in Denver in 2026?
Published 2026-05-25 · Reviewed by Dror Gigi, Co-Founder
Short answer
A custom ADU permit in Denver takes 5 to 9 months in 2026, including 8 to 14 weeks for plan review across two to three rounds. Denver expanded ADU eligibility citywide in 2024, but lot-by-lot zoning still varies. The new Permit Hub launched in 2025 has cut average review time by roughly 3 weeks.
Denver City Council approved citywide ADU eligibility in 2024, removing the prior patchwork of neighborhood-by-neighborhood overlays. Lot-specific zoning still applies, so a 3,000 sqft urban lot in West Highland and a 7,500 sqft lot in Park Hill follow different setback and size rules. Denver's Community Planning and Development (CPD) launched a Permit Hub in 2025 that consolidates submittal, plan check, and fee payment in one online portal.
Typical timeline, custom ADU design, Denver 2026
- Pre-application zoning verification: 1 to 2 weeks
- Architectural plans, structural, energy compliance: 8 to 12 weeks
- Initial submittal and intake review: 2 to 3 weeks
- First plan check round: 6 to 10 weeks
- Revision and resubmittal (typically 2 rounds): 6 to 12 weeks
- Permit issuance and fee payment: 1 to 2 weeks
Denver zoning rules for ADUs
- Maximum ADU size: 864 sqft or 35 percent of the rear yard, whichever is smaller (detached). Attached ADUs follow primary house FAR limits.
- Maximum height: 1.5 stories or 24 ft for detached, with a 17 ft eave height limit
- Setback: 5 ft from side and rear property lines (some districts require 10 ft)
- Owner occupancy: not required as of 2024 zoning reform
- Parking: no additional off-street parking required
What speeds the permit
- Use the Permit Hub portal. Submittals via paper are still accepted but are typically reviewed 2 to 3 weeks slower.
- Get a pre-submittal zoning verification ($200 to $400) so design constraints are locked before architectural drawings start.
- Submit complete on the first try. Missing structural calcs, missing energy compliance (REScheck or COMcheck), and missing site survey are the top three causes of intake rejection.
- Run the Xcel Energy service application in parallel with the permit. Service upgrades or new connections run 6 to 12 weeks separately.
Permit cost
Denver ADU permit fees in 2026 run $4,500 to $9,500 for a typical 600 to 800 sqft detached unit, including building permit, plan review, zoning verification, water and sewer tap fees, and Denver Use Tax. Tap fees alone account for $2,400 to $4,800.