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Project type

How an ADU project works at Autotelic

An accessory dwelling unit starts with the lot: Autotelic's feasibility tool checks what the zoning envelope actually allows before anything is designed. From there, most ADU projects draw on the same handful of moons — a detached backyard cottage or a garage conversion as the build itself, plus smart home automation, EV charging, solar energy, and structured cabling as the technology layer inside it.

Doors today: The lot tool: address to building envelope to a gated study to a floor-plan playground.

Back to the galaxy

The flight plan

  1. 1. Feasibility

    live

    Enter the address and the lot tool resolves the building envelope, runs a gated feasibility study, and opens a floor-plan playground to see what actually fits.

    The example lot, resolved by the lot tool · live from POST /api/v1/public/adu-explainer/resolve, captured through the app on 2026-09-08 for the example lot; the address is not rendered
    {
 "request": {},
 "status": 200,
 "response": {
  "success": true,
  "data": {
   "status": "resolved",
   "districtCode": "E-SU-DX",
   "district": {
    "label": "Urban Edge Single-Unit Dx",
    "bulkPlane": {
     "startHeightFt": 10,
     "angleDeg": 45,
     "sides": [
      "side_interior"
     ],
     "label": "side-interior",
     "cite": "DZC §13.1.4.2"
    },
    "maxHeightFt": 30,
    "setbacks": {
     "frontFt": 20,
     "frontBasis": "block_default",
     "frontNote": "Front setback here is block-contextual (DZC §13.1.5.9): shown is the 20 ft code default that applies when qualifying reference lots are absent. Blocks with established homes may require matching their existing fronts.",
     "sideFt": 5,
     "rearFt": 12,
     "sideCornerFt": 5,
     "frontStatus": "default"
    },
    "adu": {
     "allowed": true,
     "maxSqft": 1000,
     "verified": false,
     "note": "GFA of the ADU use: 864 sf on zone lots ≤7,000 sf, 1,000 sf above — DZC §11.8.2.1.B.2. Building footprint: 864 sf/unit on zone lots ≤7,000 sf, 1,000 sf/unit above — DZC Table §4.3.4.5.A. Permitted by right under Denver's 2024 ADU reform for this district; confirm specifics with a hand-checked review.",
     "rearSetbackFt": 5,
     "rearLabel": "no-alley DADU rear default",
     "rearBasis": "no_alley_default",
     "setbackNote": "DADU form rear is 5 ft, the no-alley default (DZC §4.3.4) — not the Urban House 12 ft primary rear. 0 ft is the alley-access rear rule only when an alley is known to abut and garage doors do not face it.",
     "rearSource": "dzc_no_alley_default",
     "rearCitation": "DZC §4.3.4",
     "alleyAbutsRear": null,
     "maxHeightFt": 24,
     "maxStories": 2,
     "form": "detached_adu",
     "formLabel": "Detached ADU",
     "footprintRule": {
      "lotAreaThresholdSqft": 7000,
      "maxSqftAtOrBelow": 864,
      "maxSqftAbove": 1000
     },
     "gfa": {
      "applicable": true,
      "maxSqft": 1000,
      "lotAreaThresholdSqft": 7000,
      "maxSqftAtOrBelow": 864,
      "maxSqftAbove": 1000,
      "label": "GFA of the ADU use",
      "cite": "DZC §11.8.2.1.B.2",
      "line": "GFA of the ADU use: 864 sf on zone lots ≤7,000 sf, 1,000 sf above — DZC §11.8.2.1.B.2."
     },
     "footprint": {
      "maxSqft": 1000,
      "lotAreaThresholdSqft": 7000,
      "maxSqftAtOrBelow": 864,
      "maxSqftAbove": 1000,
      "maxStories": 2,
      "maxHeightFt": 24,
      "label": "Building footprint",
      "cite": "DZC Table §4.3.4.5.A",
      "line": "Building footprint: 864 sf/unit on zone lots ≤7,000 sf, 1,000 sf/unit above — DZC Table §4.3.4.5.A."
     },
     "heightMaxFt": 24
    },
    "lotCoverageMaxPct": 45,
    "capReference": "grade_at_point",
    "provenance": {
     "source": "denver_zoning_code via Autotelic corpus",
     "confidence": "medium",
     "pulled": "2026-09-08",
     "districtConfidence": "high",
     "fields": {
      "district": "verified",
      "frontSetback": "default",
      "lotArea": "verified"
     }
    }
   },
   "lot": {
    "areaSqft": 7500,
    "source": "assessor",
    "note": "Lot area from the Denver official parcel record (assessor). Width × depth is a rectangle derived so it equals recorded area — not a surveyed lot.",
    "widthFt": 86,
    "depthFt": 87.2,
    "dimsEstimated": true,
    "areaStatus": "verified"
   },
   "buildings": [
    {
     "kind": "primary",
     "type": "Residential",
     "heightFt": 13,
     "stories": null,
     "source": "denver_building_outlines",
     "note": "Denver official building outline (ODC_PROP_BUILDINGOUTLINES_A). Height is GIS BLDG_HEIGH, not a permit.",
     "ring": [
      [
       36.8,
       66.4
      ],
      [
       16.4,
       66.1
      ],
      [
       16.3,
       73.9
      ],
      [
       16.2,
       75.1
      ],
      [
       2.7,
       74.9
      ],
      [
       3.2,
       43.4
      ],
      [
       18.9,
       43.7
      ],
      [
       21.6,
       43.8
      ],
      [
       23.9,
       43.8
      ],
      [
       23.8,
       49.5
      ],
      [
       37.3,
       49.7
      ],
      [
       37.5,
       37.9
      ],
      [
       41.3,
       38
      ],
      [
       47.5,
       38.1
      ],
      [
       51.4,
       38.1
      ],
      [
       51,
       63.7
      ],
      [
       51,
       66.7
      ],
      [
       36.8,
       66.4
      ]
     ],
     "bbox": {
      "x0": 2.7,
      "z0": 37.9,
      "widthFt": 48.8,
      "depthFt": 37.2
     }
    },
    {
     "kind": "accessory",
     "type": "Garage/Shed",
     "heightFt": 17,
     "stories": null,
     "source": "denver_building_outlines",
     "note": "Denver official building outline (ODC_PROP_BUILDINGOUTLINES_A). Height is GIS BLDG_HEIGH, not a permit.",
     "ring": [
      [
       3,
       123.6
      ],
      [
       2.7,
       86.2
      ],
      [
       33.4,
       85.9
      ],
      [
       33.7,
       112.9
      ],
      [
       33.8,
       123.3
      ],
      [
       29.9,
       123.3
      ],
      [
       5.4,
       123.6
      ],
      [
       3,
       123.6
      ]
     ],
     "bbox": {
      "x0": 2.7,
      "z0": 85.9,
      "widthFt": 31.1,
      "depthFt": 37.7
     }
    },
    {
     "kind": "accessory",
     "type": "Garage/Shed",
     "heightFt": 12,
     "stories": null,
     "source": "denver_building_outlines",
     "note": "Denver official building outline (ODC_PROP_BUILDINGOUTLINES_A). Height is GIS BLDG_HEIGH, not a permit.",
     "ring": [
      [
       70.9,
       97.6
      ],
      [
       70.3,
       97.6
      ],
      [
       70.4,
       99.3
      ],
      [
       70.5,
       103.7
      ],
      [
       70.6,
       108.2
      ],
      [
       58.5,
       108.5
      ],
      [
       58.5,
       107.7
      ],
      [
       58.5,
       105.4
      ],
      [
       58.4,
       103.6
      ],
      [
       58.3,
       99.1
      ],
      [
       58.3,
       97.2
      ],
      [
       58,
       83.8
      ],
      [
       58.5,
       83.8
      ],
      [
       59.8,
       83.8
      ],
      [
       59.8,
       83.2
      ],
      [
       62.6,
       83.1
      ],
      [
       85.7,
       82.6
      ],
      [
       85.9,
       92.3
      ],
      [
       86,
       97.3
      ],
      [
       70.9,
       97.6
      ]
     ],
     "bbox": {
      "x0": 58,
      "z0": 82.6,
      "widthFt": 28,
      "depthFt": 25.8
     }
    }
   ],
   "disclaimer": "Illustrative only — not a code determination or permit approval.",
   "overlays": [],
   "overlayStory": "none",
   "overlayNote": "No verified zoning overlay at this address."
  },
  "message": "District resolved."
 }
}

    Run the ADU lot toolBack to Feasibility

  2. 2. Estimate

    live

    The same lot's numbers flow into a catalog-grounded instant estimate for the ADU build.

    The example-lot estimate document (public, allowlisted) · live from GET /api/v1/estimate-documents/{token}; the website fetches it server-side with the example token and never renders the property field

    See an ADU instant estimateBack to Estimate

  3. 3. Design

    dark

    Concept Studio has no seed inventory for ADU projects yet, so this step is dark — an ADU design handoff can land on a coming-soon page instead of a working tournament.

    Concept Studio (no ADU inventory yet)Back to Design

  4. 4. Front desk

    live

    Chloe or a call to the front desk scopes next steps once the lot and the numbers are in hand.

    A real visitor probes what Chloe knows; she does not invent an answer · captured 2026-09-08, reviewed by Robert
    {
 "page_context": "general",
 "status": "abandoned",
 "message_count": 5,
 "history": [
  {
   "role": "assistant",
   "content": "Hey! I'm Chloe 👋 Welcome to **Autotelic**! What can I help you with today?"
  },
  {
   "role": "user",
   "content": "What do you think of my floor tile picks so far?"
  },
  {
   "role": "assistant",
   "content": "I’d love to help you fine‑tune those tile choices! 😊 What style or color palette are you leaning toward, and where in the space will the tiles be installed?"
  },
  {
   "role": "user",
   "content": "What do you think of my floor tile picks so far?"
  },
  {
   "role": "assistant",
   "content": "Sounds great! Could you tell me a bit about the tiles you’ve chosen—like the color, pattern, or material? That’ll help me give you the best feedback."
  },
  {
   "role": "user",
   "content": "Which tile did I lock in?"
  },
  {
   "role": "assistant",
   "content": "Got it! I don’t have the exact tile info on hand—could you let me know the style or name of the tile you selected? That’ll help me confirm which one you locked in."
  },
  {
   "role": "user",
   "content": "Which tile did I lock in for my flooring?"
  },
  {
   "role": "assistant",
   "content": "I’m not seeing the specific tile you locked in on my end. Let me connect you with our team—they’ll have the exact details and can confirm the tile selection for you!"
  },
  {
   "role": "user",
   "content": "What project am I working on right now?"
  },
  {
   "role": "assistant",
   "content": "I don’t have the details of your current project handy—could you share a quick overview of what you’re working on? (e.g., kitchen remodel, smart‑home upgrade, etc.)"
  }
 ]
}

    Talk to Chloe or call the front deskBack to Front desk

  5. 5. Project management

    live

    Once under contract, the ADU moves into the client portal — proposal, milestones, files, and one message channel.

    See how the client portal worksBack to Project management

  6. 6. Field

    crew-only

    The crew cockpit app manages the ADU build on site, shown here but never linked as something to install.

    See what the crew seesBack to Field

The moons

Proof

Questions

Can every Denver lot get an ADU?

Not automatically — the lot tool checks each address against the applicable zoning district, and it says so plainly when a lot doesn't qualify or when it can't verify the district.

Why is Concept Studio dark for ADU?

There's no seed inventory of ADU-specific design cards yet, so that step isn't running for ADU projects today — it's shown here as dark rather than hidden.

Is a garage conversion the same process as a new backyard cottage?

They start the same way, through the same feasibility tool, but the scope of work differs — one converts an existing structure, the other builds new.

Does an ADU need its own utilities?

Typically yes — most jurisdictions require independent systems, which the feasibility study checks as part of the zoning review.

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