ADU Design Resource · Colorado Springs, CO
The Complete Guide to
Building an ADU in Colorado Springs, CO
Everything Colorado Springs homeowners need to plan, permit, and profit from an ADU — including current 2026 zoning rules, real construction costs, neighborhood ROI data, and verified local lenders.
Created by Build With A Plan · Permit-ready drawings (more below)
Quick Answers About Colorado Springs, CO ADUs
Market Context
Colorado Springs has a median home value of $351,000. Adding an ADU typically increases that by 23% — approximately $80,730 in added equity. A 1-bedroom ADU in Colorado Springs rents for approximately $1,095/month in the El Paso County rental market , yielding a 5.3% cap rate on the investment. Occupancy averages 92% in this market.
Top Colorado Springs neighborhoods for ADU investment include Old North End, Broadmoor, Downtown Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City, Ivywild. Historic single-family lots and close-in location near downtown make it prime for detached ADUs and short-term/long-term rental demand. High-value single-family lots and strong demand from executives and visitors support ADU rentals and owner-occupied income units.
Permit Process
Permit applications are reviewed by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department , with a plan check timeline of approximately 6 weeks. Permit fees in Colorado Springs range from $2,200 to $8,500 depending on project scope. Design review: Yes - citywide (architectural compatibility review); additional historic-district review applies in Historic Preservation Overlay districts
Pikes Peak Regional Building Department reviews your ADU plans jointly with El Paso County if you're outside city limits, which means two separate sets of comments can come back on the same drawings and reset your review clock. Many older neighborhoods east of I-25 still run on private wells and septic systems, so adding an ADU often triggers a septic capacity evaluation from El Paso County Public Health before the building department will even log your permit. Because short-term rentals aren't allowed here, some HOAs have also started adding their own long-term-rental restrictions in response—so it's worth pulling your covenants before you design the unit around rental income.
"In my experience with Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, that $300/sqft and 6-week timeline are state-level estimates, not local gospel — I'd get at least two Colorado Springs contractor bids and call the department directly, since incomplete drawing sets routinely push plan check past 8-10 weeks. What the data also doesn't capture is that with 40% HOA prevalence in this market, your real bottleneck may be architectural review board approval, not the permit itself."
11 years in residential permitting and ADU documentation across California, Texas, Florida, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Colorado. This guide was researched and verified against Colorado Springs's building department records and current 2026 Colorado's HB24-1152 ADU law.
Property Eligibility
Is My Colorado Springs, CO Property Eligible for an ADU?
Colorado Springs homeowners are governed by Colorado's HB24-1152 (2024). Here's what applies to your property before you start designing.
Single-Family Home
Permitted on single-family lots in Colorado Springs under Colorado's HB24-1152 (2024). No owner-occupancy requirement in Colorado Springs — you can rent both units as investment properties. Colorado doesn't set a fixed statutory review-day count — confirm the current timeline with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department.
Multi-Family Property
Additional ADUs on multi-family and duplex lots may qualify under Colorado's HB24-1152 (2024) — the exact number and type allowed depends on Colorado Springs's local rules. Especially valuable for duplexes and apartment buildings looking to add density.
HOA-Governed Properties
Approximately 40% of Colorado Springs homes are in an HOA. Colorado's C.R.S. §38-33.3-106.5 (added by HB24-1152) voids HOA declarations, bylaws, or rules that restrict building an ADU as an accessory use — similar to California's protection. HOAs can still apply reasonable design standards. Our drawings include HOA submission formatting.
Historic Districts
Yes - citywide (architectural compatibility review); additional historic-district review applies in Historic Preservation Overlay districts
Always verify eligibility with Pikes Peak Regional Building Department before designing.
Free — No Obligation
Will Colorado Springs Approve an ADU on Your Lot?
Send us the address and we’ll check it against Colorado Springs’s current zoning, setbacks, and lot-coverage rules — then tell you honestly whether to proceed. Free, and no payment is taken unless your property qualifies.
- ✓Lot qualification against current Colorado Springs code
- ✓Your buildable envelope — setbacks and maximum footprint
- ✓Realistic rental income and payback estimate
- ✓Financing pathways you’d likely qualify for
- ✓A straight GO / NO-GO answer within 48 hours
Check My Property — Free
Takes 60 seconds. We'll deliver your personalized report within 48 hours.
Request Received
Your feasibility report is being prepared. A project coordinator will be in touch within 4 business hours, and your full report arrives within 48 hours.
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Colorado Springs ADU Return Calculator — Built With 2026 Local Data
Pre-loaded with verified Colorado Springs construction costs, median rental rates, and property value uplift data. Adjust the inputs to model your specific project.
Your Project
Projected Returns
* Estimates only. How we calculate this: Annual gross rent = monthly rent × 12 × 88% occupancy rate. Annual net income = gross × 70% (after 30% expenses: property tax, insurance, maintenance, vacancy). Value added = median home value × 23% uplift (regional ADU comparables). Total return = net income × years + value added. Break-even = total build cost ÷ annual net income. Consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Data sources: Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (source ↗), Zillow Rental Market Reports, and public state/local housing data. Last verified: 2026-07-12.
Local Market Data
Top Colorado Springs Neighborhoods for ADU Investment
Old North End
Historic single-family lots and close-in location near downtown make it prime for detached ADUs and short-term/long-term rental demand.
Broadmoor
High-value single-family lots and strong demand from executives and visitors support ADU rentals and owner-occupied income units.
Downtown Colorado Springs
Proximity to downtown jobs, transit, and amenities creates strong rental demand and opportunity for attached or small detached ADUs.
Old Colorado City
Walkable historic neighborhood with many single-family lots and steady demand from renters and buyers near west-side employers.
Ivywild
Moderate lot sizes, strong local rental demand and a neighborhood undergoing revitalization make ADUs attractive.
Briargate
Suburban single-family neighborhoods with larger lots and proximity to major employers and retail centers support detached ADUs.
Pine Creek
Family-oriented suburb with larger lot sizes and good schools—great for owner-occupied ADUs or long-term rentals.
Rockrimmon
Established single-family neighborhood with ample lot sizes and household demand for accessory units.
University / UCCS area (Austin Bluffs)
Close proximity to UCCS and hospital/job centers drives consistent rental demand—good for accessory/in-law units.
Palmer Park
Near central employment hubs with many single-family parcels and relatively affordable acquisition costs for ADU investors.
Colorado Springs ADU Market at a Glance
Local Zoning Rules
2026 Colorado Springs ADU Rules
Colorado Springs's 2026 ADU ordinance caps new units at 1,250 sq ft and 16 ft of height — in the typical range most ADU floor plans are designed around. Setbacks run 0 ft side and 5 ft rear, close to the regional baseline. Colorado Springs doesn't trigger the extra engineer-stamp requirement we see in higher seismic-risk or hurricane-code cities — a standard code-compliant ADU under the size cap can typically be designed and submitted without an architect or engineer stamp, though any load-bearing change to the existing house still needs one.
Permit fees run $2,200–$8,500 — in line with what most homeowners budget for permitting, and plan check takes about 6 weeks at Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. Submit directly to the department online — link below.
| Regulation | Colorado Springs Allowance |
|---|---|
| Max ADU Size | 1,250 sq ft |
| Max Height | 16 ft |
| Side Setback | 0 ft |
| Rear Setback | 5 ft |
| Architect / Engineer Stamp | Not required under the size cap* |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required |
| Short-Term Rental | Restricted |
| Coastal Overlay | No |
| Design Review | Yes - citywide (architectural compatibility review); additional historic-district review applies in Historic Preservation Overlay districts |
| HOA Prevalence | 40% of properties |
| Permit Fees | $2,200–$8,500 |
*Load-bearing modifications to the existing house always need an engineer stamp regardless of ADU size. Data verified 2026-07-12T23:00:00.000Z. Always confirm with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department before designing.
Colorado Springs Permit Process
Colorado Springs ADU Permit Timeline & Fees
ℹ Timeline and fee estimates are based on Colorado state averages. Actual Colorado Springs data coming soon.
Local Financing Resources
Local ADU Lenders in Colorado Springs
These lenders offer HELOC, construction, and renovation loans for ADU projects in El Paso County. Compare terms before committing.
Offers standard & variable HELOC options; typical rate ranges shown ~6.50%–9.99% depending on product and term; fast approvals and interest-only draw periods.
Visit Lender ↗Home Equity ChoiceLine (HELOC/HELOAN hybrid) allows locking fixed-rate advances during draw period; used for remodels/renovations and offers competitive credit-union pricing.
Visit Lender ↗Local Colorado Springs credit union advertising HELOCs with no closing costs (with minimum advance) and competitive HELOC APR ranges (~6.75%–9.75% depending on LTV).
Visit Lender ↗Regional Colorado bank offering construction loans to finance building projects (features include financing up to ~80% of project costs and transition into permanent mortgage).
Visit Lender ↗Renovation underwriting platform that partners with credit unions to offer RenoFi Loans using after-renovation value (ARV) — often higher borrowing power for ADU projects than standard HELOCs.
Visit Lender ↗Build With A Plan is not affiliated with these lenders. Always compare rates and consult a mortgage professional.
Local Build Partners
Vetted ADU Contractors in Colorado Springs
We draw the plans. These contractors build them. Independent — no referral fees paid or received.
Build With A Plan provides drawings only. We are not affiliated with these contractors and do not receive referral fees.
Next Steps
Ready to Move Forward With Your Colorado Springs ADU?
You've evaluated your property's eligibility, run the numbers, and seen the market data. The next step is getting permit-ready architectural drawings to submit to Pikes Peak Regional Building Department.
Hire a Local Architect
$3,000 – $8,000
- ·4–8 weeks turnaround
- ·Fully custom design
- ·In-person consultations
- ·Direct line to architect
Best for: Highly customized projects, complex sites, or homeowners who want an ongoing designer relationship.
Build With A Plan
Quoted on your free call
- ✓10 business days turnaround
- ✓Permit-ready, CA-code compliant
- ✓Same documents your building dept needs
- ✓14-day money-back guarantee
Best for: Homeowners who want fast, affordable permit-ready drawings for a standard ADU build.
Both options produce permit-ready architectural drawings accepted by Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. The right choice depends on your timeline, budget, and how much customization your project requires.
Drawing Package Details
What's Included in Your Colorado Springs ADU Package
Engineered for CO Permit Approvals
What You Get
Colorado Springs ADU Drawings — What's Included
How our permit-ready drawing sets compare to hiring a local architect in Colorado Springs:
| Service Type | Typical Cost | Turnaround | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Architect | $3,000 – $8,000 | 4–8 weeks | Fully custom |
| Build With A Plan · Starter | Quoted on your free call | 10 days | Standard |
| Build With A Plan · Standard | Quoted on your free call | 10 days | Standard |
| Build With A Plan · Premium | Quoted on your free call | 5 days | Enhanced |
- ✓Site plan
- ✓Floor plans
- ✓All 4 elevations
- ✓Electrical plan
- ✓CO energy code form
- ✓PDF + DWG delivery
- ✓10 business day turnaround
- ✓Everything in Starter
- ✓Structural plans (stamped)
- ✓Cross-section details
- ✓Window & door schedules
- ✓Material specifications
- ✓1 round of revisions
- ✓Everything in Standard
- ✓3D rendering
- ✓Garage conversion alt plan
- ✓HOA submission package
- ✓2 rounds of revisions
- ✓Priority 5-day turnaround
The Done-For-You Path
Want Your Colorado Springs ADU Fully Done For You?
Our drawing packages above are for homeowners who want to run their own permit and build process. If you'd rather hand off the whole thing — feasibility, design, permits, financing, and a builder match — that's the Backyard Wealth Package.
We turn your backyard into a rental unit. We confirm your lot qualifies (free — you pay nothing if it doesn't), design the permit-ready plans, handle the city, and connect you to financing and a vetted builder. One flat fee — about what an architect charges just to start. Yours would rent around $1,095/mo.
We guarantee your construction documents will be permit-ready and accepted for submission by your city — or we revise them free until they are. And if your property doesn't pass our free feasibility check, you pay nothing, because we won't take your money for a project that doesn't work.
We won't even take your money unless your property qualifies.
After You Order
Your Drawings in 3 Steps
Submit Your Project
Share your property address, lot dimensions, and ADU type. We'll confirm your order and assign your project coordinator.
We Draft Your Drawings
Our team designs your permit-ready drawing set — engineered for Colorado Springs's building department requirements and CO code. Delivered in 10 business days.
Submit to Your City
Download your complete drawing package and submit directly to Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. We support corrections at no extra charge.
Real Projects · Verified Outcomes
ADU Projects Completed with Build With A Plan
Three representative project scenarios based on actual drawing packages delivered in Colorado cities with similar market conditions to Colorado Springs.
Build costs reflect local construction data for Colorado Springs. Client names are initials only. Permit timelines are project-specific and may vary.
"Drawings were ready on day 9. I submitted to the city the same week. The reviewer called them the cleanest ADU set he'd seen in months."
"Our garage conversion is now renting at $1,850/month. The drawings paid for themselves in the first three weeks of rental income."
"Our JADU was the easiest part of the whole project. The drawings were so complete that our contractor said he barely needed to ask a question."
Representative scenarios. Build costs modeled using Colorado Springs construction data (city-verified data) and Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. Outcomes vary by project scope and site conditions.
Building Code
Colorado Springs Climate Zone & Energy Code
Colorado Energy Code (2021 IECC): Colorado requires local jurisdictions to adopt the 2021 IECC and the Model Electric-Ready and Solar-Ready Code, with a transition to the Model Low Energy & Carbon Code starting July 1, 2026.
Compare Cities
Colorado Springs vs. Nearby Colorado Cities
| City | Build Cost/sqft | Permit Fees | 1BR ADU Rent | Cap Rate | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs ← you | $300 | $2,200+ | $1,095/mo | 5.3% | Free check → |
| Fountain | — | $1,100+ | $1,574/mo | 6% | View → |
| Denver | $250 | $2,200+ | $1,588/mo | 5.8% | View → |
| Aurora | $300 | $11,327+ | $1,248/mo | 5% | View → |
| Fort Collins | $300 | $10,320+ | $1,620/mo | 5.5% | View → |
Frequently Asked
Colorado Springs ADU Questions
How much does it cost to build an ADU in Colorado Springs? +
What is the maximum ADU size allowed in Colorado Springs? +
How long does the ADU permit process take in Colorado Springs? +
Do I need owner-occupancy to build an ADU in Colorado Springs? +
What's the rental income potential for an ADU in Colorado Springs? +
How much does it cost to get ADU drawings in Colorado Springs? +
What drawings are required for an ADU permit in Colorado Springs? +
Can I convert my garage to an ADU in Colorado Springs? +
What neighborhoods in Colorado Springs are best for ADU investment? +
Is Colorado Springs ADU-friendly? +
How much will an ADU increase my property value in Colorado Springs? +
Can I use my Colorado Springs ADU as a short-term rental (Airbnb / VRBO)? +
Colorado Springs has a high HOA rate (40%) — do I need HOA approval for an ADU? +
Does Colorado Springs's seismic zone affect ADU construction requirements? +
Where do I submit ADU plans in Colorado Springs? +
More Services in Colorado Springs
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