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Council advances accessory dwelling unit code updates to second reading, including allowance for tiny homes
Summary
Council approved on first reading updates to the ADU regulations to implement recent state law, allow tiny homes and manufactured homes as ADUs in some circumstances, and remove an owner-occupancy requirement; the ordinance moves to a second reading in September.
Broomfield City Council approved on first reading July 8 an update to municipal code regulating accessory dwelling units (ADUs), clearing the proposed ordinance for a second reading and public hearing September 9.
Senior planner Ted Harburg summarized the primary changes: the city’s ADU rules, originally adopted in 2019, will be amended to comply with Colorado’s 2024 state law. Key changes include allowing factory-built manufactured homes and tiny homes to serve as ADUs when installed to building-code standards and visually compatible with the principal dwelling; clarifying definitions for “manufactured home,” “modular,” “tiny home” and “tiny house;” allowing a minimum ADU size pathway of 500 square feet (with a 50%-of-primary-dwelling and an 800-square-foot cap remaining in place); and removing the requirement that the property owner occupy either the principal dwelling or the ADU as a primary residence.
The code will continue to prohibit short-term rentals in ADUs, Harburg said. The ordinance also updates older mobile-home community language to reflect modern terminology and clarifies setback rules so ADU side setbacks are no more restrictive than those for the primary structure.
During public comment Sandy Anderson of the Broadlands asked whether removing the owner-occupancy requirement would encourage investor-owned rentals rather than family or caregiver uses. Harburg noted banks have cited owner-occupancy restrictions as a barrier to financing ADUs and that statewide changes were intended to reduce financing obstacles.
Council members asked about incentives and costs. Chief Building Official Tim Pate said permit fees are based on valuation and noted small ADU projects often have higher per-square-foot costs; he estimated current residential construction costs at roughly $250 per square foot for new build examples. Planning staff reported Broomfield has approved seven ADUs since the 2019 rules were adopted.
Council member Henkel moved approval on first reading; the motion passed 9-0. The second reading and public hearing are scheduled for Sept. 9.
