Arvada, Colorado, is a residential community that sprawls into both Jefferson and Adams counties. For families and homeowners wanting an ADU, Arvada is an excellent place to build one! Arvada has ADU-friendly legislation, which makes it easy to build on your property.
Learn more about current regulations and design trends for ADUs in Arvada. In this article, we’ll cover:
- Current ADU Regulations in Arvada
- Popular ADU Designs in Arvada
- Current ADU Trends
- How to Get Started
Arvada Current ADU Regulations
In Arvada, ADUs are classified into two different categories: type A and type B.
Type A ADUs are detached from the main home and considered “lockable and rentable.” This means it’s a full separate structure with its own entrances that can be secured for privacy.
Type B ADUs are located inside of the main dwelling or share a wall, but still have separate access for a renter. An important consideration for this ADU type is that the occupant is not living with the occupants of the main house as a single household. This means the space would not be considered an ADU if someone is living in the space without paying rent.
In Arvada, any residential district is eligible for an ADU provided there is an existing single-family home on the lot. Both Type A & B ADUs cannot exceed 40% of the main lot size, with the exception of internal ADUs, like a basement apartment with an entirely separate entrance. There are also restrictions on the size of ADUs based on your lot size:
| Lot Size | Maximum Floor Area |
| 6,000 square feet or less | 600 square feet |
| Greater than 6,000 square feet and up to 12,499 square feet | 850 square feet |
| 12,500 square feet and up to 1 acre | 1,000 square feet |
| Greater than 1 acre | 1,200 square feet |
Other restrictions include parking, architectural design. At least one space for on-site parking must be provided in addition to the parking for the principal dwelling.
Design-wise, the ADU must “continue the residential character and appearance of the principal building.” This means the roof pitch, exterior materials, window and door styles, color palette, and other features must maintain a level of consistency with the main home.
While Arvada considers ADUs to be rental properties, the same restrictions apply even if you choose to use your ADU for a different purpose.
Popular ADU Designs & Layouts for Arvada
Arvada transformed from a farming community to a post-war suburb, and with that transformation many new homes were built in the 1950s-1980s. Arvada offers a mix of craftsman and bungalow homes that pre-date the post-war housing boom and ranch, split level, and bi-level homes, some of which lean heavily into mid-century aesthetics. In addition, you can also find new builds that offer an urban farmhouse or contemporary mountain aesthetic throughout the community.
This means that ADU trends must mirror those aesthetics to adhere with Arvada’s design standards.
Little Home Builder offers flexible design possibilities for our tiny homes, making it easy to seamlessly match your tiny home’s style to your existing home!
In terms of layout, anything goes. There are many reasons why a homeowner may choose to build an ADU — to add a rental income stream to their finances, to house a loved one, to gain private space for working from home, or to make hosting guests easier and more efficient.
When considering the layout for your ADU, think of what will best suit its purpose:
Studio ADU floorplans are excellent for office space. They provide just enough space for deep focus time or creative activities. Many people either running a business out of their home or working fully remote choose studio layouts to meet their needs without taking up too much space.
These smaller studio homes are also excellent if you often host short-term guests. A studio is akin to a private hotel room, perfect for long weekends and overnight stays.
One-bedroom ADU floorplans are the perfect choice for longer term stays, or housing a family member. The single bedroom offers additional space and privacy for occupants to make themselves at home, while still providing an efficient use of space.
This also provides flexibility for rental income. A one bedroom can be an attractive housing option for rental prospects and can help turn your ADU into an additional source of income when not in use by a family member.
Two-bedroom ADU floorplans are ideal for families looking to add a rental unit to their property. They offer flexibility for an individual tenant, couple, or small family, making it an attractive option on the rental market with more space.
Garage conversion ADUs are a great choice if you want to add more livable space to your property without adding to the existing footprint on your lot. Garage conversion ADUs can be great choices as a rental unit or guest house.
Current ADU Trends
Open Living
Open living is a popular ADU trend because it maximizes the value of the space you have available! Rather than having multiple small rooms for living and dining, an open layout makes the small space multi-functional and adds a bright, airy feel.
Natural Light
Good lighting is key in any home, but as ADUs tend to be on the more efficient side, natural light helps make them feel comfortable and cozy rather than closed off. We keep this in mind when planning where your ADU will be and how it’s oriented, but also with large sliding glass doors and windows!
Accessibility
Many tiny homes are designed to help loved ones age in place. With this in mind, a growing trend is to make tiny homes accessible by design. Excellent lighting, open layouts, walk-in showers, and wide doorways all allow for easy navigation, whether someone is using mobility devices or not.
Get in Touch with a Local ADU Builder in Arvada, CO
Ready to build your perfect ADU in Arvada, Colorado? Little Home Builder can help. We offer a personalized consultation to get started. In this discussion, we’ll talk about your goals and help you envision an ADU that will meet all your needs. Then, we will work together to design and build your ideal tiny home! Whether you want a rental unit, more space for guests, or a peaceful place for family, we can make it happen.
Learn more about working together and schedule your free consultation now.
