Arvada Zoning & Land Use Guide
Notable local initiatives in Arvada
Named ordinances, statutes, and reforms specific to Arvada — each linked to an official source you can verify directly.
Arvada Land Development Code — tiered ADU size standard
The Arvada Land Development Code (Title III of the Municipal Code) allows ADUs in all residential zone districts when an existing detached single-family home is on the lot, and ties the maximum ADU size to lot size: up to 600 sq ft on lots 6,000 sq ft or smaller, up to 850 sq ft on 6,000 to 12,499 sq ft lots, and up to 1,000 sq ft on lots between 12,500 sq ft and one acre. New attached/internal ADUs are additionally capped at 40% of the primary home's living area.
Source · arvadaco.govHB24-1152 statewide ADU mandate — Arvada compliance(2024)
Colorado HB24-1152 lists Arvada among the Front Range Subject Jurisdictions required to allow one ADU on every single-unit detached residential lot through administrative approval. City staff have been amending the Land Development Code to align with HB24-1152 (ADUs), HB24-1007 (unrelated-occupancy limits), and HB24-1304 (transit-area parking minimums). Compliance deadline was June 30, 2025.
Source · leg.colorado.govOlde Town Arvada G Line TOD context
Arvada is one of the Front Range jurisdictions affected by HB24-1313 (Housing in Transit-Oriented Communities), which requires denser zoning near high-frequency transit. The RTD G Line commuter-rail station at Olde Town Arvada and the Arvada Ridge station anchor the city's potential Transit Centers; the Olde Town Strategic Reinvestment Plan governs adjacent design standards.
Source · arvadaco.gov
Key Zoning Facts
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Arvada
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
State — Colorado
- Building Code: 2021 IBC (locally adopted)
- State ADU Override: Yes (Colorado HB24-1152 (2024) requires Subject Jurisdictions (including Arvada) to allow one ADU per single-unit detached residential lot via administrative approval; compliance deadline June 30, 2025.)
County — Jefferson County
- Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- Check HOA CC&Rs for additional restrictions.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 6,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 30 ft
- Front Setback
- 20 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
- Min Lot
- 6,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 45 ft
- Front Setback
- 25 ft
- Side Setback
- 10 ft
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
- Min Lot
- None
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 10 ft
- Side Setback
- 0 ft
- Rear Setback
- 10 ft
ADU Rules in Arvada
- Max Size
- 800 sq ft
- Max Height
- 20 ft
- Rear Setback
- 5 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Parking
- No additional parking required
- Owner Occupancy
- Not required
- Permit Timeline
- 4-6 weeks
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Arvada are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Arvada permit fees →Official Sources
City-specific