Garage Conversion Drawings · Denver, CO
Permit-Ready Garage Conversion
Drawings for Denver, CO
Convert your garage into permitted living space or a rental unit. We deliver complete, code-compliant drawing sets ready for Denver's building department — in 10 business days, starting at $997.
14-day money-back guarantee · 10 business day turnaround
Local Intelligence
What Denver Homeowners Need to Know Before Submitting
Size & Zoning Rules
Converting your garage to a legal rental unit means the finished space must comply with Denver's ADU size limits. Denver's current ADU size cap is 1,000 sq ft — within the typical range for most floor plan configurations.
Denver currently requires owner-occupancy on the primary parcel — meaning one of the units (the main home or the ADU/conversion) must be your primary residence.
A fully permitted, code-compliant garage conversion in Denver can command approximately $1,588/month as a 1-bedroom rental — far more than leaving the space as storage.
Permit Process & Fees
Community Planning and Development permit fees for this project type typically range from $2,200 to $8,500 depending on project valuation and scope. Plan check runs approximately 51 weeks — though each correction cycle adds 3–6 weeks, which is why code-compliant drawings matter so much.
Garage conversion drawings submitted to Community Planning and Development must include a site plan, floor plans, all four elevations, an electrical plan, and energy compliance documentation — plus stamped structural plans are typically required for converted garages that are detached or require seismic upgrades.
Visit Community Planning and Development ↗Construction Cost Context
Denver's garage conversion construction costs run $200–$280 per square foot — a moderate range driven by labor markets, local code complexity, and finish level. Our drawings are priced at a fraction of what a full-service architect would charge to produce the same permit set.
⚠ Common Pitfall in Denver
Denver's zoning code caps detached ADU size based on your primary house's footprint, so CPD reviewers will actually pull your original building permit records to calculate the allowable square footage — a step that trips up a lot of owners with older homes lacking clean records. Also, if your property is on a shared water tap (common in neighborhoods like Berkeley or Sunnyside built before 1950), Denver Water will require you to upgrade to a separate tap line before they'll sign off, which can add $8,000–$15,000 and several weeks of coordination outside the normal permit timeline. Since STRs are allowed, plan for a separate STR license application through Denver's Excise and Licenses office after your certificate of occupancy — it's a distinct process that doesn't start until construction is fully closed out.
Expert Verdict — Marcus Reid, Licensed Designer
"In my 11 years pulling ADU permits in Denver, that 51-week timeline feels heavy for a straightforward build and likely reflects a worst-case queue rather than the norm — but I've also seen the $250/sqft figure undershoot reality once site conditions and finish selections come into play, so treat both as state-level estimates and get a couple of local contractor bids plus a call to Denver CPD before you budget or schedule around them."
Market Context
Denver has a median home value of $538,000. Comparable renovation projects in this market typically add 23.0% to resale value.
Neighborhoods in Denver with the strongest garage conversion and rental-unit potential include Washington Park, Platt Park, Park Hill, Congress Park, Berkeley. High single-family density, large lots and strong demand near downtown make it ideal for ADUs.
Permit Process
Permit applications are reviewed by the Community Planning and Development, with a plan check timeline of approximately 51 weeks. Permit fees in Denver range from $2,200 to $8,500 depending on project scope. Design review: Yes - in historic districts only.
Denver falls within Seismic Design Category Seismic Design Category B (minimum for City & County of Denver; site-specific ASCE 7 SDS values may move a site to a different category), which affects structural requirements for converted garage walls and foundations.
Local Financing Resources
Local Garage Conversion Lenders in Denver
These lenders offer HELOC, construction, and renovation loans for garage conversion projects in Denver County. Compare terms before committing.
Offers HELOCs for Colorado homeowners to tap home equity — typically used for home improvements and renovations.
Visit Lender ↗Bellco ChoiceLine HELOC for home improvements and renovations; calculators and fixed-rate subaccount options available.
Visit Lender ↗Ent offers HELOC and home-equity options in Colorado suitable for renovations and ADU projects.
Visit Lender ↗Colorado-based bank offering HELOCs and construction/land loans with local decision-making — suitable for ADU builds.
Visit Lender ↗RenoFi partners with credit unions nationwide (including Colorado partners) to deliver renovation loans and HELOC/HELOAN products for ADU projects.
Visit Lender ↗Build With A Plan is not affiliated with these lenders. Always compare rates and consult a mortgage professional.
Local Build Partners
Vetted Garage Conversion Contractors in Denver
We draw the plans. These contractors build the conversion. 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.
Drawing Package Details
What's Included in Your Denver Garage Conversion Package
Transparent Pricing
Denver Garage Conversion Drawing Packages
One-time fee. No retainer. No hourly billing.
- ✓Site plan
- ✓Floor plans
- ✓All 4 elevations
- ✓Electrical plan
- ✓Title 24 energy 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
- ✓HOA submission package
- ✓ADU conversion alt plan
- ✓2 rounds of revisions
- ✓Priority 5-day turnaround
After You Order
Your Conversion Drawings in 3 Steps
Submit Your Garage Details
Share your property address, garage dimensions, and intended use (ADU, rental, home office). We confirm your order and assign your project coordinator within 4 business hours.
We Draft Your Drawings
Our team designs your complete conversion drawing set — engineered for Denver's building department requirements and CO code. Delivered in 10 business days.
Submit to Your Building Dept
Download your complete package and submit to Community Planning and Development. We support plan check corrections at no extra charge.
Common Questions
Denver Garage Conversion FAQs
Is a garage conversion allowed in Denver? +
Yes — garage conversions are permitted in Denver. Colorado state law allows homeowners to convert an attached or detached garage into habitable living space or an ADU. A building permit and permit-ready drawings are required before work begins.
How much does a garage conversion cost in Denver? +
Garage conversions in Denver typically range from $100,000 to $220,000 depending on the existing structure, finish level, and scope of work. This is significantly less than building a new detached ADU. Our drawing package starts at $997 — a fraction of what a local architect would charge for the same permit-ready set.
What drawings are required to permit a garage conversion in Denver? +
Denver's building department requires: a site plan showing the converted garage's location on the lot, floor plans with dimensions and room labels, all four exterior elevations, an electrical plan, and energy compliance documentation (Title 24 in California). Our Starter package covers all of these. If the garage is detached or the structure requires seismic upgrades, stamped structural drawings are also required — included in our Premium package.
How long does the permit process take for a garage conversion in Denver? +
Plan check in Denver typically takes approximately 51 weeks. Having complete, code-compliant drawings dramatically reduces correction cycles — which each add 3–6 weeks. Our drawings are designed to pass on the first submittal.
Can I convert my garage into a rental unit in Denver? +
Yes — a permitted garage conversion can function as a standalone rental unit (ADU or JADU depending on size). In California, converted garages under 500 sq ft qualify as Junior ADUs (JADUs), while larger conversions qualify as full ADUs. Both can be rented long-term. Short-term rental rules vary by city — confirm with Denver's planning department.
Do I need to replace the garage door opening when converting? +
Yes. The garage door must be replaced with an insulated wall with a standard entry door and at least one egress window (minimum 5.7 sq ft clear opening). This is captured in our elevation drawings and flagged in the electrical plan. The new wall must also meet CO energy code requirements, which we handle in the Title 24 compliance documentation.
How much does it cost to get garage conversion drawings in Denver? +
Our permit-ready garage conversion drawing packages for Denver start at $997. Local architects typically charge $2,500–$6,000 for the same set. Every package is engineered for CO code compliance and formatted for Denver's building department. Turnaround is 10 business days with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Will converting my garage increase my home's value in Denver? +
A permitted garage conversion in Denver adds rentable square footage to a home currently valued around $538,000. Converted spaces typically appraise as habitable square footage, increasing the home's value. As an ADU or JADU, the rental income stream is also capitalized into the appraised value — typically at a 5–6% cap rate.
Nearby Cities
Also Available in Denver
Need full ADU design drawings instead?
Next Steps
Ready to Move Forward With Your Denver 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 Community Planning and Development.
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
$997 – $2,997
- ✓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 Community Planning and Development. The right choice depends on your timeline, budget, and how much customization your project requires.