A separate dwelling with a place on the property.
An ADU project begins with who will live there and how the dwelling should function alongside the primary home. A unit for a family member may have different priorities from a space intended for another long-term occupant. Describe the intended use without assuming a particular building form is already suitable.
Colorado Property Care welcomes ADU inquiries that start with the address, existing property and desired arrangement. Detached construction, an attached unit and a conversion each need their own review. Establishing the right project direction comes before choosing finishes.
Planning adus
An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is a separate dwelling associated with a primary property. The form it can take and the requirements that apply need to be confirmed for the address. A detached unit, an attached arrangement and conversion of existing space raise different questions about access and the existing building.
Explain who the space is intended for and how independently it needs to function. That helps frame the discussion around entry, privacy, everyday living and the relationship to the primary residence. Avoid selecting a floor plan before checking whether its basic assumptions fit the property.
Utilities and site constraints belong in the earliest review. Include what you know about water, wastewater, power and existing service locations. Where information is missing, note that it needs to be established. An attractive building layout does not resolve the infrastructure questions on its own.
An ADU example from another neighborhood may not apply to your property. Identify the responsible planning and building departments, then confirm the proposed use and the review path with them.
For properties in unincorporated Arapahoe County, the county's ADU application guidance provides a starting point. It also identifies water and wastewater considerations for certain properties. That resource is background for local review, not a promise that an ADU can be approved at a particular address.
Keep the outdoor relationship in the plan. Entry routes, shared yard space, privacy and the location of doors can affect both dwellings. An ADU should be considered as part of the whole property rather than as a small house placed in the remaining space.
Independent living in a compact layout.
A smaller dwelling still needs practical places for everyday activities. Think about cooking, sleeping, bathing, belongings and the path through the unit. Furniture shown at an unrealistic scale can make a compact plan look easier to use than it will be in daily life.
Privacy works in both directions. The new entry, windows and outdoor areas should be considered from the main home as well as from the ADU. Explain which spaces will be shared and which should feel separate. A clear boundary can make the overall property easier for everyone to use.
Storage and service access should not be treated as leftover details. The layout needs to account for the systems and household items that support independent occupancy. Ask how equipment, utility arrangements and access for future maintenance will be addressed in the proposed design.
Preparing for your adus project
Bring any existing survey, building plans or site records you can share. Identify the proposed location and how an occupant would reach it. If you are considering converting part of an existing building, photograph that space and describe its current use.
Keep the initial inquiry focused on feasibility and scope. Ask which professionals, drawings and address-specific reviews are needed to evaluate the proposal. A model plan or example from another property is a reference point, not confirmation that the same arrangement can be used at yours.
| Project detail | What to bring |
|---|---|
| Occupancy | Describe who the dwelling is intended for and how independently it needs to function. |
| Location | Show the proposed unit, entry route and relationship to the primary residence. |
| Records | Identify surveys, existing building plans and known utility information. |
| Priorities | List essential rooms, privacy needs and storage expectations. |
ADUs: common questions
Can an existing space be considered for an ADU?
Yes. Explain the current building and the space you want to convert. Its suitability and the requirements for the intended dwelling need property-specific review.
Is a detached ADU always the best arrangement?
No. The site, existing building, intended use and applicable requirements shape the options. Compare arrangements based on the actual property rather than a preferred example alone.
Can an ADU share outdoor space with the main home?
That arrangement can be part of the design discussion. Identify shared paths, gathering areas and privacy expectations so both dwellings are considered together.