ADUs in Arvada, CO
Arvada sits just north of our core southwest-metro footprint, an easy reach from our base. This page covers ADUs specifically in Arvada the homes here, the local approvals, and the work. For how we design and build generally, including process and cost, see our ADU building services.
Our shop, our crews, and most of our projects are all in town.
ADUs for Arvada homes
Arvada is a subject jurisdiction under Colorado’s HB24-1152, which since June 30, 2025 requires the city to allow at least one ADU where detached single-family homes are permitted, approve it administratively without a public hearing, and drop owner-occupancy mandates and ADU parking minimums. The city’s own dimensional standards still govern size, setbacks, and height within what state law allows that’s the first thing we verify for your lot.
On the ground, the post-war ranches through the middle of Arvada sit on lots with real backyard, which makes detached units and garage conversions both realistic. West Arvada’s newer development is tighter and more HOA-governed. Note that Arvada’s 2024 code adoption means your ADU a complete new dwelling gets built to a newer standard than in much of the metro.
Permits and approvals in Arvada
ADUs at this scope is permitted work, and we pull the permits and schedule the inspections for you. In Arvada that runs through the City of Arvada’s Building Division, via the city’s eTRAKiT system (Arvada Permits), under the 2024 International Codes with Arvada amendments.
Two Arvada specifics worth planning around. First, the city adopted the 2024 International Codes with amendments a newer edition than several neighboring jurisdictions are on, which means Arvada projects are built to a more current standard, and copy-pasted assumptions from a Lakewood or Littleton job don’t transfer. Second, your project also needs a separate submittal to the Arvada Fire District through the district’s own plan review portal, and the confirmation goes in with your city application. Arvada also updated its Building Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2026, and major plan reviews can take four to six weeks real time we build into your schedule rather than discovering later.
Arvada’s on the 2024 codes and requires a separate fire district submittal. A contractor who works the metro on autopilot will get your project bounced.
Neighborhoods we serve in Arvada
We build ADUs across Arvada, including Olde Town Arvada, Arvada West, Ralston Valley, the Standley Lake area, Candelas, Leyden Rock, and the neighborhoods along Ralston Road, and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Working on more than one space? We also handle kitchen remodeling in Arvada and bathroom remodeling in Arvada, and everything we do locally is on our Arvada remodeling page.
ADUs FAQs Arvada
As a subject jurisdiction under HB24-1152, Arvada must allow at least one ADU where detached single-family homes are allowed, approved administratively without a public hearing. The city’s dimensional rules still govern size and placement we verify them against your lot first.
No. State law bars subject jurisdictions from requiring owner-occupancy, so you can rent both your home and your ADU to long-term tenants.
Usually. It reuses existing structure, but it has to meet habitable-space code, and if the garage holds required parking that has to be accounted for. We scope both routes at feasibility.
A detached ADU generally runs several months to a year or more from contract to keys, with permitting often the pacing item. You get a schedule in your proposal. For a fuller breakdown of ADU costs, see our cost guide.
Let’s build something
right here in Arvada.
Send a note about your project, your timeline, and your budget — we’ll set up a free in-home walkthrough, usually within a few days. You’re a neighbor, not a lead.