Home Addition Drawings · Denver, CO
Permit-Ready Home Addition
Drawings for Denver, CO
Expand your home with a permitted room addition, second story, or family room extension. We deliver complete, code-compliant drawing sets for Denver's building department — in 10 business days, starting at $1,497.
14-day money-back guarantee · 10 business day turnaround
Local Intelligence
What Denver Homeowners Need to Know Before Submitting
Size & Zoning Rules
Any new square footage added to your Denver home counts against the same zoning envelope that governs ADU size, meaning large additions may affect your ability to add a future ADU. 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.
If the addition creates a second unit or is later converted to a rental, Denver's ADU market supports approximately $2,166/month for a 2-bedroom unit.
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.
Addition permit packages 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 drawings are always required for any load-bearing elements, second-story work, or new foundation.
Visit Community Planning and Development ↗Construction Cost Context
Denver's home addition 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 home addition and resale value 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 any new addition tying into the existing structure.
Local Financing Resources
Local Home Addition Lenders in Denver
These lenders offer HELOC, construction, and renovation loans for home addition 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 Home Addition Contractors in Denver
We draw the plans. These contractors build the addition. 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 Home Addition Package
Transparent Pricing
Denver Home Addition Drawing Packages
One-time fee. No retainer. No hourly billing.
- ✓Site plan
- ✓Floor plans (existing + proposed)
- ✓All 4 elevations
- ✓Electrical plan
- ✓Title 24 energy compliance
- ✓PDF + DWG delivery
- ✓10 business day turnaround
- ✓Everything in Starter
- ✓Stamped structural drawings
- ✓Foundation plan
- ✓Roof framing plan
- ✓Window & door schedules
- ✓1 round of revisions
- ✓Everything in Standard
- ✓3D rendering
- ✓Cross-section details
- ✓Material specifications
- ✓HOA submission package
- ✓2 rounds of revisions
- ✓Priority 5-day turnaround
After You Order
Your Addition Drawings in 3 Steps
Submit Your Project Details
Share your property address, existing floor plan (if available), and the addition scope. We assign your project coordinator within 4 business hours.
We Draft Your Drawings
Our team designs your complete addition drawing set — engineered for Denver's building department requirements and CO CBC 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 Home Addition FAQs
Do I need a permit for a home addition in Denver? +
Yes — any structural addition to your home in Denver requires a building permit. This applies to room additions, second-story additions, sunrooms, and attached garages. You'll need permit-ready drawings before the building department will accept your application. Our packages are formatted specifically for Denver's submittal requirements.
How much does a home addition cost in Denver? +
Home additions in Denver typically cost between $180.0–$400.0 per square foot depending on the scope, finishes, and structural complexity. A 600 sq ft addition ranges from $108,000 to $240,000. Second-story additions cost more than ground-floor extensions due to structural requirements. Our drawing packages start at $1,497 — a fraction of local architectural fees.
What drawings are required to permit a home addition in Denver? +
Denver's building department requires: a site plan showing the addition's footprint and setbacks, floor plans for all affected levels, all four exterior elevations, an electrical plan, and energy compliance (Title 24 in California). Structural plans stamped by a licensed engineer are required for any load-bearing elements — included in our Premium package.
How long does the permit process take for a home addition in Denver? +
Plan check in Denver typically takes 51 weeks for home additions. Additions with structural components may require additional review. Complete, code-compliant drawings significantly reduce correction cycles — each cycle adds 3–6 weeks. Our drawings are engineered to pass on the first submittal.
What setbacks apply to home additions in Denver? +
Denver enforces minimum setbacks from property lines for all additions: typically 4–5 ft side setbacks and 5 ft rear setbacks, though these vary by zoning district and lot size. Your addition must stay within the buildable envelope. Our site plan documents existing and proposed setbacks and flags any zoning variances required.
Do I need structural drawings for a home addition in Denver? +
Yes, for most additions. Any load-bearing walls, new foundations, second-story construction, or roof structure changes require stamped structural drawings from a licensed engineer. California's CBC (California Building Code) and seismic requirements make structural plans mandatory for most addition types. Our Standard and Premium packages include stamped structural drawings.
How much do home addition drawings cost in Denver? +
Our permit-ready home addition drawing packages for Denver start at $1,497. Local architects and designers typically charge $3,000–$10,000+ for comparable drawing sets. 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 a home addition increase my home's value in Denver? +
In Denver, where median home values are approximately $538,000, a permitted home addition adds square footage that appraisers value as part of the home's gross living area. Return on investment varies by addition type — master suite additions, family room expansions, and additional bedrooms typically recoup 50–75% of project cost in appraised value in CO markets.
Can I add a second story to my home in Denver? +
Second-story additions are permitted in most Denver residential zones, subject to height limits and design review requirements. California generally requires ministerial permit approval, but some cities impose design compatibility or neighborhood compatibility review for second stories. Our drawings cover all levels including foundation upgrades, shear walls, and roof framing required for vertical additions.
Nearby Cities
Also Available in Denver
Adding an ADU instead? See our ADU design service.
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.