Littleton City Council adopts ADU, land‑use updates after lengthy public hearing

Littleton City Council voted to adopt two amendments to Title 10 of the city’s Unified Land Use Code on second reading Tuesday, approving changes to accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules and a separate package of 2024 legislative updates that modify occupancy, turf and parking standards.

The measures—Ordinance 9 of 2025 (ADU code text amendments) and Ordinance 10 of 2025 (2024 legislative updates)—were approved after a public hearing and extended public comment. Both passed 6–1, with Council Member Patrick Driscoll casting the lone “no” vote on each. The consent agenda that preceded the hearing, which bundled several unrelated ordinances and resolutions, was approved unanimously earlier in the meeting.

City staff said the changes are required or encouraged by recent state laws and also reflect the city’s own housing objectives. Andrea Vaughn, senior planner in Community Development, summarized the state ADU law and staff recommendations: “The state legislation requires that all municipalities allow for the construction of ADUs wherever a single‑family detached home is permitted,” Vaughn said, and staff proposed additional local allowances—most notably permitting some detached ADUs up to 1,000 square feet and allowing detached ADUs up to the maximum height of the zone district in some circumstances.

Why it matters

Council and staff said the ordinance implements Colorado House Bill 24‑1152 (the state ADU law) and aims to reduce barriers for homeowners who want to add small rental units or caregiving spaces. Supporters argued ADUs add “gentle density” and provide more housing options for workers, young families and aging residents without large new developments. Opponents warned the changes could harm neighborhood character, worsen on‑street parking and push development beyond what neighbors expect.

Key provisions and debate

- ADU rules: The ordinance removes many design restrictions that the state identifies as impermissible and eliminates most requirements to add new off‑street parking for ADUs. Staff’s proposed code retains three narrow conditions under which a parking space may still be required: where no off‑street parking exists, where the zone requires parking for the primary unit and where on‑street parking is prohibited on the block.

- Size and height: Staff recommended and council approved allowing detached ADUs up to 1,000 square feet (staff said the region’s average two‑bedroom apartment is about 1,000 sq ft) and permitting detached ADUs to reach the height limit of the applicable zone district so long as other lot and coverage standards are met. Staff noted that ADUs must remain subordinate to the primary dwelling; lot coverage, setbacks and other rules still limit feasible building size on many lots.

- Buffer yards and setbacks: The code retains Type A buffer yard requirements and the commonly permitted 5‑foot rear setback in constrained sites; staff said the final text keeps trees and shrub requirements rather than simplifying plantings further in response to public input.

- Other legislative updates (Ordinance 10): The council also adopted changes to comply with HB24‑1007 (removing familial restrictions on occupancy), SB24‑005 (defining and limiting nonfunctional turf on nonresidential properties) and HB24‑1304 (removing minimum parking for certain transit‑area multiunit projects). Staff expanded the state parking exemption to apply to all residential developments within the state’s applicable transit area map, not only to larger multifamily projects, to avoid incentivizing developers to convert smaller projects into larger ones solely to escape parking requirements.

Public comment

More than two dozen residents addressed council during the public hearing. Supporters framed ADUs as a means to house nurses, teachers and families who otherwise cannot afford to live in Littleton and emphasized intergenerational benefits. "ADUs are a smart and responsible way to address our housing shortage," said Julia Shannon, a resident who urged the council to adopt the ordinance and comply with state law.

Opponents raised concerns about parking, neighborhood character and whether ADUs would truly deliver affordable housing. Pam Chadbourne said she opposed expansions beyond the state minimums and warned, "Insufficient parking is not fixable," urging council to limit heights and preserve distinctions between single‑family neighborhoods and corridor development.

Council response and final votes

Council members debated narrow changes: Council Member Grove asked whether colleagues would support keeping size and height strictly to the state minimums; only one other council member joined that position and Grove did not move an amendment. Several council members said they preferred not to litigate the state law and instead comply while preserving the city’s ability to regulate other site standards. Council Member Reichardt said he favored the modest local flexibilities to reduce bureaucratic barriers to building ADUs. At the roll call, the ADU ordinance passed 6–1 with Driscoll voting no; the 2024 legislative updates passed by the same margin.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (items A–H, multiple ordinances and resolutions including IGA with CDOT, bond assignment to South Metro Housing Options, and accepting a quitclaim deed related to the Town Hall Arts Center): motion carried unanimously, 7‑0. - Ordinance 9 of 2025 (ADU code amendments): approved on second reading, 6‑1 (Yes: Mayor Schlachter; Mayor Pro Tem Barr; Council Members Grove, Peters, Reichardt, Zink. No: Council Member Driscoll). - Ordinance 10 of 2025 (2024 legislative updates to Title 10): approved on second reading, 6‑1 (same vote split).

What changes next

The ADU changes take effect following final adoption procedures required by the city (the council adopted the ordinances on second reading). Staff noted the city must report certain ADU information to the state by June 30. Planning staff said they will proceed with updating permitting materials and outreach to clarify the new rules for homeowners, and they emphasized that many practical constraints—lot coverage, setbacks and building code limits—will continue to limit where and how large ADUs can practically be built.

The council’s votes close this chapter of code changes but also leave open follow‑up implementation details; staff said some additional state bills on landscaping and multifamily turf will require future municipal action.

(Reporting includes excerpts of city staff presentations and verbatim public comments recorded in the June 3 meeting transcript.)