Colorado Springs proposal would let some detached ADUs reach 25 feet
The draft would keep a 16-foot cap for most detached units; a supporter estimated the limit added about $6,000 and two months on average to three garage-top ADU projects.
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Colorado Springs is considering a zoning amendment that would let some detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) reach 25 feet, up from the usual 16-foot limit.
The draft ordinance would keep the 16-foot maximum for detached ADUs and accessory structures containing them, with an exception for a detached ADU attached to a detached garage. The ordinance’s redline does not require the garage to be converted into an ADU. The City Council work-session presentation, by contrast, describes the 25-foot exception as applying when a detached garage is converted to an ADU. Attached and integrated ADUs would remain subject to the maximum building height in their zone district.
The presentation says a provision adopted in 2025 has hindered property owners’ ability to reasonably build a detached ADU attached to a detached garage.
In a public comment supporting the amendment, Alex Kosley said their group had built three ADUs above new detached garages since the 16-foot limit took effect in 2025. Kosley estimated that complying with the limit added an average of about $6,000 to each project’s cost and about two months to project timelines.
The City Council work-session agenda scheduled discussion of the amendment for Oct. 26. The presentation listed further council consideration in November as tentative.