Colorado Zoning & Land Use Laws
Zoning regulations, ADU laws, short-term rental rules, and land use policies for Colorado. Source-cited from state legislation and municipal codes.
Total Cities
271
Total Counties
64
ADU State Law
Yes
Lot Split Law
No state law
Cottage Food Law
Yes
Cities With Data
3
Colorado ADU Law
Colorado has a statewide ADU law — Colorado House Bill 24-1175 — Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning — effective 2024-08-07. This law preempts local ordinances — cities and counties cannot impose restrictions stricter than the state standard. Key provisions include: Requires all Colorado municipalities with population over 1,000 to allow at least one ADU per single-family residential lot by-right; Prohibits minimum lot size requirements specifically targeting ADU prohibition — local minimum lot size cannot exceed the zone's standard minimum; Limits off-street parking requirements for ADUs — no additional parking required for ADUs within 0.25 miles of a high-frequency transit stop, and 5 more. The most recent amendment was HB 24-1174 (2024): Companion middle housing legislation requiring cities with 5,000+ population to allow at least 2 units per single-family lot. Alongside HB 24-1175, significantly expands housing options in Colorado. Referred to as the 'missing middle housing' bill.
View full ColoradoADU law details →Cottage Food Law
Colorado Cottage Food Act (CRS 25-4-1614, original 2012, significantly expanded by SB 21-117 effective 2021). Allows production and direct sale of non-potentially-hazardous cottage food products from a home kitchen. No annual revenue cap (SB 21-117 removed the previous $5,000/year cap). Expanded list of permissible products including more baked goods, dry goods, and some preserves. Products sold directly to consumers at farmers markets, roadside stands, and from home. Cottage food producers must register with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Products must be labeled with producer name, address, product name, ingredients, net weight, and allergen information. A food handler's certificate may be required by local counties. Colorado SB 21-117 (2021) significantly expanded cottage food by removing the revenue cap and expanding permissible products. This made Colorado one of the more cottage-food-friendly states in the US. More information: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/cottage-food. Local county health departments may have additional requirements.
State Preemption Active
Colorado state law preempts local zoning ordinances in several areas. Local governments cannot enact rules stricter than the state baseline.
Learn about Coloradozoning preemption →Recent Legislative Changes
2024 — HB 24-1175
Comprehensive ADU reform legislation signed into law August 7, 2024. Requires all Colorado municipalities over 1,000 population to allow ADUs by-right on single-family lots, removes minimum lot size barriers, limits parking mandates near transit, prohibits owner-occupancy requirements, and establishes state enforcement through DOLA. Local compliance required by July 1, 2025.
2024 — HB 24-1174
Companion middle housing legislation requiring cities with 5,000+ population to allow at least 2 units per single-family lot. Alongside HB 24-1175, significantly expands housing options in Colorado. Referred to as the 'missing middle housing' bill.
Colorado Cities with Zoning Data
Source: Colorado House Bill 24-1175 — Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning. Last verified April 5, 2026. View source