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Brighton waives many ADU fees to encourage construction, approves 2026 fee table changes
Summary
Council approved amendments to the 2026 fee schedule to waive several fees for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), reducing example ADU costs by roughly 80% of non‑service fees. Staff said preapproved plans and a DOLA grant will further speed ADU construction.
Brighton City Council approved changes to the city's 2026 fee schedule on Dec. 2 to encourage accessory dwelling unit construction by waiving a set of smaller permit and review fees.
Staff explained that ADUs currently pay many of the same fees as new principal dwellings and that a package of waivers could materially lower upfront costs. In the example presented, staff estimated that waiving nine candidate fees would reduce fees by roughly 80% in a sample $200,000 ADU case, leaving an estimated $3,800 in charges (primarily use tax) under the proposed waivers.
City staff also reported they had secured just under $40,000 in grant funding from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to support ADU program work, including preapproved ADU designs to speed the permit process and save prospective builders money. Council approved the motion to adopt the fee amendments by roll-call vote 7–0 with one absent.
What this means: The fee waivers reduce several design review, permit and inspection fees for ADUs and are intended to increase construction of small, lower‑cost housing. Staff said preapproved designs and the grant funding could lower overall ADU costs by an estimated $15,000–$20,000.
