Planning Commission unanimously backs ADU code changes to comply with state law, with recommended edits

WOODLAND PARK, Colo. — The Woodland Park Planning Commission voted unanimously Aug. 28 to recommend City Council adopt amendments to Title 18 of the municipal code that revise accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules and residential occupancy limits to comply with new state laws. The changes respond to two bills cited by staff: House Bill 24‑1152 (ADUs) and House Bill 24‑1007 (residential occupancy limits). Planning Director Karen Schmink said the state now requires that ADUs be permitted in any zone where a single‑family detached dwelling is allowed and that municipalities may not use familial relationships to set occupancy limits. Why it matters: The proposed code changes remove requirements the state prohibits (including a prior owner‑occupancy mandate and an annual ADU permit renewal), add procedures for bringing preexisting nonconforming ADUs into compliance, and create a “functional ADU” definition staff can use for enforcement. The edits also remove a local distance/density limit that previously restricted how close ADUs could be to one another and adjust internal definitions and standards so city rules track the state statute. Key…