What Colorado’s ADU Law Means For Parker Homeowners
Thinking about adding a guest suite, rental casita, or studio over your garage in Parker? Colorado’s new accessory dwelling unit law, HB24-1152, changed how cities and HOAs handle ADUs and how permits get approved. In a few minutes, you will learn what the law means in Parker, what you can build, and the smartest way to start. Let’s dive in.
Colorado’s HB24-1152 requires “subject jurisdictions” to allow one accessory dwelling unit on any lot where a single-unit detached home is allowed. ADUs can be internal, attached, or detached, and applications must be reviewed administratively using objective standards, not public hearings. The law also limits local rules on parking, owner-occupancy, and size, including a guaranteed right for ADUs in roughly the 500 to 750 square foot range. You can review the statute and state guidance on the HB24-1152 bill page and the Colorado DOLA ADU page.
Parker is listed by the state as a subject jurisdiction, so these statewide requirements apply locally. The Town has been modernizing its Land Development Ordinance, which is where you will find Parker’s final, objective ADU standards and the administrative permit steps. For updates and links to the adopted language, follow the Town’s LDO Modernization project page. Because local implementation details matter, plan to confirm the exact process and any transition rules with Parker’s planning staff.
If your lot allows a single-unit detached home, state law requires Parker to allow one ADU as an accessory use. That includes internal conversions, attached additions, and detached backyard units. The local LDO will spell out objective standards for each form, but Parker cannot impose more restrictive dimensional rules than those for the primary home. See the state overview for context on these limits on the DOLA ADU guidance.
The statute protects your ability to build an ADU in the 500 to 750 square foot range. Parker may allow units outside that range, but it cannot adopt rules that effectively block the protected size option. Standard building, safety, utility, and stormwater rules still apply. Confirm the final size, height, and setback tables in Parker’s adopted LDO and any published ADU checklist on the Town’s website.
In most cases, jurisdictions cannot require you to build a new off-street parking space just for the ADU. Parker may ask you to designate an existing driveway or garage space, and a limited new-space requirement can apply only in narrow situations defined by law. For the state’s summary on parking constraints, see the DOLA land use FAQs.
Subject jurisdictions generally may not require owner-occupancy as a condition to permit an ADU, with only narrow exceptions defined in the statute. Parker’s rules must align with that framework. Check the local LDO for any application-time requirements or rental standards, and refer to the state ADU guidance for the overarching limits.
State law requires an administrative approval process that uses objective standards and avoids public hearings. In practice, you submit to planning or building staff, who review your plans against published criteria. A pre-application conversation is the fastest way to map steps, fees, and timelines. Start with Parker’s planning resources and meeting links on the Town site, including the Planning Commission page, then request a pre-application meeting with staff.
If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA or a planned unit development, the state’s ADU framework still applies. HOAs and restrictive covenants cannot be enforced to prohibit ADUs in ways that conflict with the statute, though they may apply reasonable restrictions that do not unreasonably increase cost or effectively prohibit construction. PUD documents also cannot be used to block ADUs where single-family homes are allowed. Review your covenants and discuss any concerns with the Town, and consult the state’s ADU guidance for the definition of “reasonable restrictions.”
Your ADU must meet building, fire, electrical, plumbing, and utility connection standards. The statute also contemplates public safety requirements for factory-built units. For a full picture of what the law created, see the HB24-1152 bill page.
The law also launched grant and financing tools administered by DOLA and CHFA. Some funding is available only if a community earns ADU Supportive Jurisdiction certification, so it pays to track Parker’s status and any fee reductions, pre-approved plans, or technical assistance the Town offers. Explore the state’s ADU grant program overview and the ADU implementation toolkit for program details.
Adding an ADU touches design, construction, permitting, and long-term management. You can lean on a seasoned advisor who understands both market demand and project execution. Our team pairs brokerage expertise with hands-on design and development experience, a vetted network of architects and builders, and property management for owners who want a turnkey rental.
If you are weighing an ADU for multigenerational living, a home office, or rental flexibility, we can help you model resale and rent scenarios, choose the right scope, and connect with the right partners. Ready to plan your next step in Parker? Connect with Michael Galansky for concierge guidance tailored to your property.