DESIGN · BUILD · AUTOMATE
LAKEWOOD SERVICES
Lakewood ADU / backyard cottage — local feasibility & estimate
ADU Feasibility Consultation, $350
Compare both studiesExploring a backyard ADU in Lakewood? Autotelic helps assess feasibility against lot, setbacks, HOA, and local rules—then provides a clear estimate and build path with one team. No fake zoning envelopes. No invented prices or license claims.
What Lakewood requires
Front setback: 25 ft Title 17, Tables 17.5.1, 17.5.2, 17.5.5
See full local requirements ↓- Full Design Lifecycle
- Construction & Tenant Finish
- Smart Home · A/V · Edge Compute
Build an income-producing unit in your backyard
Book an ADU feasibility study
Two fixed-price studies, booked online before you pay for design: a site visit with a go/no-go read on your lot, or a written report you can take to a lender.
Pay when you book. We confirm within 24 hours or refund you in full.
ADU Feasibility Consultation
An on-site review of your lot against local ADU zoning, setbacks, and utility access.
Pay when you book · morning (8–12) or afternoon (12–4)
What's included
An on-site review of your lot against local ADU zoning, setbacks, and utility access. You get a verbal go/no-go read plus a one-page summary of constraints and next steps.
ADU Feasibility Package
Site visit plus a written feasibility report: local ADU zoning check, buildable envelope sketch, utility routing notes, and a preliminary budget.
$475 deposit to book, the rest when the work is done · morning (8–12) or afternoon (12–4)
What's included
Site visit plus a written feasibility report: local ADU zoning check, buildable envelope sketch, utility routing notes, and a preliminary budget. A documented go/no-go you can take to a lender.
FREE PLANNING TOOLS
Both tools are free and take a couple of minutes — start in either one.
EVERY PROJECT STARTS WITH DESIGN
Local Service
ADU / Backyard Cottage Services in Lakewood, Colorado
Autotelic provides professional ADU / backyard cottage services throughout Lakewood and the surrounding Jefferson County area. Accessory dwelling unit construction across the Denver metro — detached new builds, garage conversions, and basement conversions compliant with Colorado HB 24-1152. One veteran-owned design-build team runs the full Denver sequence under a single contract: zoning verification and concept design, municipal zoning and building permit reviews, then construction and inspections through certificate of occupancy. Whether you're in Lakewood (Jefferson County's largest city) or nearby communities, our team delivers quality workmanship backed by Colorado licensing and full insurance coverage.
What the code allows
What the code allows in Lakewood — R-1-6 example
- Front setback
- 25 ftTitle 17, Tables 17.5.1, 17.5.2, 17.5.5
- Side setback
- 5 ftTitle 17, Tables 17.5.1, 17.5.2, 17.5.5
- Rear setback
- 15 ftTitle 17, Tables 17.5.1, 17.5.2, 17.5.5
- Corner side setback
- 20 ftTitle 17, Tables 17.5.1, 17.5.2, 17.5.5
- Principal building height
- 35 ftTitle 17, Tables 17.5.1, 17.5.2, 17.5.5
- ADU allowed by right
- Yes — with conditions (Article 4 §17.4.3.1.A)Article 4 §17.4.3.1.A
- Maximum ADU size
- 1,400 sf gross floor area (§17.4.3.1.A.6.a)Article 4 §17.4.3.1.A.6.a
- ADU height
- 30 ft detached (§17.4.3.1.A.5.b) · Table 17.5.1 lists 20 ft unless the ADU sits over a detached garage — confirm with the cityArticle 4 §17.4.3.1.A.5.b
- ADU owner occupancy
- Colorado law bars Lakewood from requiring owner occupancy for an ADU (C.R.S. §29-35-403). Lakewood's posted code still does (§17.4.3.1.A.4).Article 4 §17.4.3.1.A.4; C.R.S. §29-35-403
Illustrative only — not a code determination or permit approval. Setbacks and principal height are from the municipal dimensional table for one example lot; the ADU standards are from the posted Article 4 as restored by the April 7, 2026 repeal vote, checked 2026-09-23 (Article 4 §17.4.3.1.A) — run your own address.
Permits & Licensing
Permits in Lakewood
Lakewood building and construction permits are issued through the Public Works Department, and contractors must be registered with the city and hold a Lakewood contractor account before pulling permits. Permitting and inspections run through the city's eTRAKiT online system. Authority: City of Lakewood — Public Works Department (Building and Construction Permits).
Permit Thresholds
Lakewood permit thresholds
- Code reference
- Permits are generally required for residential remodel work in Lakewood, Colorado, unless the work falls under specific exemptions listed in the city’s adopted Building Code (referenced as § 105.2 in secondary sources and detailed in the official exemptions list). There are no broad valuation th§ 105.2
- Code reference
- One-story detached accessory buildings (tool/storage sheds, pergolas, playhouses, etc.) ≤ 120 sq ft (commercial) or ≤ 200 sq ft (residential), with additional placement rules.
- Code reference
- Moveable cases, cabinets, counters, and partitions ≤ 5’9” high.
- Code reference
- Retaining walls ≤ 30 inches high (unless supporting surcharge or impounding flammables).
- Code reference
- Private walks/driveways ≤ 30 inches above grade (not over basement/story below, not part of accessible route).
- Code reference
- Prefabricated non-heated swimming pools < 24 inches deep without circulation system.
- Code reference
- Window awnings on Group R-3 occupancies projecting ≤ 54” from exterior wall.
- Code reference
- Roof covering repairs < 100 sq ft (unless removing mechanical/electrical equipment).
Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with City of Lakewood — Public Works Department (Building and Construction Permits).
Zoning & ADU
Lakewood zoning & ADU quick facts
- R-1-43 — Minimum Lot Area
- 43560 sfR-1-43
- R-1-43 — Minimum Lot Width
- 140'R-1-43
- R-1-43 — Front Setback (min)
- 25'R-1-43
- R-1-43 — Side Interior Setback (min)
- 15'R-1-43
- R-1-43 — Side Setback Abutting Street (min)
- 20'R-1-43
- R-1-43 — Rear Setback (min)
- 15'R-1-43
- R-1-43 — Building Height (max)
- 35'R-1-43
- R-1-43 — ADU Allowed
- yes — limited use in this R zone district (Article 4 Table 17.4.1; see Section 17.4.3.1:A)R-1-43
Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with City of Lakewood — Public Works Department (Building and Construction Permits).
A recent build
Backyard ADU in Denver
Denver · 2026
- Status
- Under construction — 2026
- Managed on
- Buildbot — Autotelic’s own PM platform
- Architecture, site plans, and full MEP design completed in-house
- Permits pulled — electric and plumbing rough-ins permitted and underway
- Spray-foam insulation and exterior work in progress
- First project managed end-to-end on Buildbot, Autotelic’s construction-PM platform
A ground-up backyard ADU in Denver — designed, permitted, and now under construction by Autotelic, and the first project managed end-to-end on Buildbot, Autotelic’s own construction-management platform.
The build sequence for a ADU / Backyard Cottage project
This service is a component of How a ADU project works in Lakewood.
Energy Code
Lakewood energy code quick facts
- Code reference
- 2021 IECC (with Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code amendments required by state law HB22-1362; Lakewood has also adopted solar-ready provisions via Appendix RB).
- Code reference
- Lakewood’s adopted codes document explicitly lists the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (no major local energy-specific amendments noted beyond state-mandated additions).
- Code reference
- Climate zone is 5 (5B for the Denver-metro area).
- Code reference
- Key prescriptive requirements (from 2021 IECC Table R402.1.2 and related sections for Climate Zone 5, applicable to new construction, additions, and alterations/remodels where triggered; existing buildings and additions must comply with envelope and other provisions unless exempted):
- Ceiling/attic insulation
- R-60 (or equivalent U-factor).
- Adopting reference
- 2021 IECC Table R402.1.2 (R402.1 prescriptive requirements).
- Wood-frame wall insulation
- R-20 + R-5ci or R-13 + R-10ci (or equivalent U-factor).
- Adopting reference
- 2021 IECC Table R402.1.2.
Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with City of Lakewood — Public Works Department (Building and Construction Permits).
Service Area
Serving Lakewood and Jefferson County
We serve Lakewood, CO and all surrounding Denver metro communities. Our team is based in Denver and operates throughout the Front Range, from Castle Rock to Longmont and everywhere in between. Contact us for a free estimate on your Lakewood project.
FAQ
ADU feasibility FAQ
How much does ADU Feasibility Consultation cost in Lakewood?
$350.
How do I book?
Press Book next to the job, pick a date and a morning (8–12) or afternoon (12–4) window, and pay in full. We confirm within 24 hours or refund you in full.
Can I build an ADU on my lot?
It depends on lot size, setbacks, HOA rules, and Lakewood’s code. Autotelic helps assess feasibility—we do not invent zoning envelopes or guarantee permit outcomes.
Is the online sizing tool a permit determination?
No. Lot-aware sizing on /adu/ is illustrative only and is not a permit determination. A clear estimate and local review come next.
What happens after I start an estimate?
You move from feasibility into a clear estimate with the same design-build team, then permit coordination and build with a licensed Lakewood crew when you proceed.
What will an ADU cost?
The lot lookup is free. Our ADU cost page shows planning ranges for a detached backyard cottage; your lot, utility connections and finishes affect the price. Start an estimate for your project, or call (720) 287-7958 to talk it through. A fixed-price build proposal comes after feasibility.
Who builds the ADU?
Autotelic’s local design-build team takes your project from the first concept through an estimate, permits and construction. You have one team to talk to along the way.
How much does an ADU cost in Lakewood?
We don't put a single number here on purpose — the honest answer depends on your lot, the utility runs and the finish level. Our Instant Estimate reads the same published tier ranges we quote from and narrows them to your project in about two minutes: https://autotelic.build/estimate?trade=adu-backyard-cottage. It is an estimate, not a quote; after feasibility the build is quoted as a fixed-price proposal, so you know the number before work starts.
Garage conversion or detached backyard cottage?
Each has different zoning, cost, and site implications. We design all three and recommend based on your lot, budget, and how you plan to use the unit. In Lakewood's R-1-6 district the dimensional table sets 25 ft front, 5 ft side, 15 ft rear and 20 ft corner-side setbacks with a 35 ft principal-building height; an ADU is capped at 1,400 sf gross floor area and a detached one at 30 ft, one per lot, with no minimum lot size (Lakewood Zoning Ordinance Title 17, Article 4 §17.4.3.1.A). A garage or basement conversion reuses the structure you already have.
Should I build for a rental or for family?
The code limits on this page apply to the building no matter who lives in it — what changes is the layout and the specification. Our Premium tier is written as a rental-ready one-bedroom (complete kitchen, laundry, private entrance); family and multigenerational use more often points to a Studio ADU or a lofted Signature plan. Run the lot check for the size you are allowed, then the estimate for the tier price.
What are the drawbacks — permits, timeline, neighbors?
Two municipal reviews run in order: a zoning review confirming the unit fits your district’s standards, then a building permit review of the construction documents, with inspections during the build and a certificate of occupancy at the end. Lakewood building and construction permits are issued through the Public Works Department, and contractors must be registered with the city and hold a Lakewood contractor account before pulling permits. Permitting and inspections run through the city's eTRAKiT online system. We manage zoning review, the permit application and every inspection through certificate of occupancy.
How It Runs
01
Survey
02
Design
03
Build
04
Verify
DESIGN SERVICES
Discovery & Site Analysis
Needs + preference programming, site survey, as-built documentation, feasibility.
We walk, measure, and photograph your property — existing conditions, utilities, structure, and constraints. You get the as-built documentation and feasibility read that every later decision rests on.
Learn more →Concept Design & Space Planning
Schematic design, floor plan studies, layout options.
Your scope becomes schematic floor plans you can compare side by side — circulation, daylight, adjacencies, and what each option does to the budget. Layout decisions happen on paper, where changes are cheap.
Learn more →Architectural Design & 3D Renderings
Design development, materials + finishes, photorealistic visualization.
The chosen concept resolves into materials, finishes, fixtures, and lighting — with the automation layer drawn in. Photorealistic renderings let you walk the space and adjust before anything is priced.
Learn more →Construction Documents & Permitting
Full CD sets, structural + MEP engineering coordination, permit-ready drawings.
Approved designs become coordinated architectural, structural, and MEP sheets — the set your jurisdiction permits from and trades build from. We submit, track, and answer review comments.
Learn more →CONSTRUCTION
New Construction & Custom Homes
Ground-up homes and light commercial, dirt to keys.
Ground-up residential and light commercial builds — foundations through finishes, including modular and steel construction. One accountable builder from dirt to keys.
Learn more →Remodels & Additions
Kitchens, baths, basements, pop-tops, whole-home.
Kitchens, baths, basements, pop-tops, and whole-home renovations that respect the house you already have. We handle structure, permits, and the dust.
Learn more →Commercial Tenant Finish & Build-Outs
Shells to working spaces — retail, office, restaurant, school.
Raw shells become working spaces — showrooms, offices, restaurants, schools. Dealer-spec finishes, code compliance, and opening dates held.
Learn more →ADUs & Modular Construction
Backyard cottages, garage conversions, factory-built homes.
Backyard cottages, garage conversions, and factory-built homes — zoning, design, permits, and set. Denver’s ADU rules are a specialty, not a surprise.
Learn more →Outdoor Living & Patio Structures
Decks, pergolas, and dining patios built for Colorado weather.
Decks, pergolas, and dining patios engineered for Colorado sun, snow, and hail — structure, shade, and drainage done right the first time.
Learn more →TECHNOLOGY
Smart Home Automation
Lighting, shades, climate, audio, security — one interface.
Whole-home control of lighting, shades, climate, audio, and security from a single interface — Crestron, Lutron, Savant, and Control4 designed in, not bolted on.
Learn more →A/V Systems
Theaters, distributed audio, video walls, commercial sound.
Theaters, distributed audio, video walls, and commercial sound — designed, installed, and tuned by the same team for over 20 years.
Learn more →Control Systems
Custom programming — scenes and schedules that fit the space.
Every subsystem brought into one elegant interface — custom programming for homes and venues, with scenes and schedules that match how the space is actually used.
Learn more →Networking & Edge Compute
Enterprise Wi-Fi, structured cabling, racks, on-prem compute.
Enterprise-grade Wi-Fi, structured cabling, racks, and on-premise compute — the backbone that makes everything else reliable, including our own Barbot platform.
Learn more →Solar & Energy Storage
Solar arrays, Tesla Powerwall, EV charging — certified install.
Solar arrays, Tesla Powerwall, and EV charging designed and installed by a Tesla Energy Certified team — roof, electrical, and app in one scope.
Learn more →Let's design your perfect ADU / Backyard Cottage together
Get a personalized estimate in about 2 minutes — no pressure, no obligation.
How This Works (2 minutes)
- 1Tell us about your project (30 seconds)
- 2Answer a few quick questions for an accurate estimate (60 seconds)
- 3Get your personalized estimate instantly (30 seconds)
No pressure. No obligation. No spam calls. If we're not the right fit, we'll tell you — and even recommend someone who is.
Explore
Also serving
Explore