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WHEAT RIDGE SERVICES
ADU / Backyard Cottage in Wheat Ridge
Licensed ADU / backyard cottage services for Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County. Build an income-producing unit in your backyard.
What Wheat Ridge requires
Front setback: 30 ft. (c) Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26 §26-205 (R-1 dimensional standards) — effective 2025-01-27
See full local requirements ↓- Full Design Lifecycle
- Construction & Tenant Finish
- Smart Home · A/V · Edge Compute
Build an income-producing unit in your backyard
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Local Service
ADU / Backyard Cottage Services in Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Autotelic provides professional ADU / backyard cottage services throughout Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge (central Jefferson County) 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 Wheat Ridge — R-1 example
- Front setback
- 30 ft. (c)Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26 §26-205 (R-1 dimensional standards) — effective 2025-01-27
- Side setback
- 15 ft.Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26 §26-205 (R-1 dimensional standards) — effective 2025-01-27
- Rear setback
- 15 ft.Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26 §26-205 (R-1 dimensional standards) — effective 2025-01-27
- Principal building height
- 35 ft.Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26 §26-205 (R-1 dimensional standards) — effective 2025-01-27
- Lot coverage
- 25%Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26 §26-205 (R-1 dimensional standards) — effective 2025-01-27
- ADU allowed, max size, and max height
- Not in our sourced tables for this municipality — we confirm with the city.
Illustrative only — not a code determination or permit approval. Setbacks and principal height are from the municipal dimensional table; ADU-specific standards are not in our sourced tables for this municipality — run your own address.
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 Wheat Ridge.
Permit Thresholds
Wheat Ridge permit thresholds
- Code reference
- Retaining walls over 4' high (or supporting a surcharge) and other structural elements like decks or room additions explicitly require permits; any structural work in a remodel would qualify as an alteration requiring a permit.
- Code reference
- These requirements are enforced under the City of Wheat Ridge Municipal Code, Chapter 5, Article II, Division 2 (Building Permits).
- Use tax
- Per City Code Section 22-68, use tax is charged at 3.5% of 60% of the project valuation (60% of valuation is assumed to be materials subject to tax).§22-68
- Code reference
- Permit fees are based on the higher of the applicant’s valuation or the building official’s minimum (using ICC Building Valuation Data); a separate plan review fee (65% of the permit fee) applies where required.
Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with **City of Wheat Ridge Building Division (City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado) issues residential building permits.
Energy Code
Wheat Ridge energy code quick facts
- Code reference
- 2024 IECC (with Colorado Model Low Energy and Carbon Code, 2025 edition, and Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code), adopted by reference with primarily administrative/local amendments (no technical energy amendments noted).
- Code reference
- This replaces the prior 2018 I-Codes.
- Code reference
- City Council approved on October 27, 2025 (Ordinance 1883); the 2024 codes (including 2024 IECC, excluding Chapter 1 but retaining Sections C102, R102, C107, and R107) apply to all new permit applications beginning January 1, 2026.Ord. 1883
- Code reference
- Wheat Ridge is in Climate Zone 5B.
- Code reference
- Requirements for remodels/additions generally follow the 2024 IECC (and Colorado model code) provisions applicable to existing buildings (often via IEBC cross-references or specific existing-building sections), with no local technical amendments identified that alter prescriptive values.
- Code reference
- Specific numeric prescriptive requirements (e.g., R-values, U-factors, air-sealing thresholds) are those in the base 2024 IECC/Colorado model code for CZ 5B; local adoption does not modify them.
- Permit-related tax/fee (construction use tax)
- Use tax of 3.5% applied to 60% of the project valuation (separate from and in addition to the building permit fee, which is calculated via a tiered schedule based on valuation).
- Code reference
- Adopting references include Chapter 5 of the Wheat Ridge Municipal Code (incorporating the listed codes by reference) and Ordinance 1883.Ord. 1883
Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with **City of Wheat Ridge Building Division (City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado) issues residential building permits.
Zoning & Dimensional Standards
Setback & dimensional standards in Wheat Ridge
Zone-district dimensional standards for Wheat Ridge, quoted verbatim from the Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning). Knowing your lot's district — and its setbacks, height, and coverage limits — is where every feasibility conversation starts.
A-1setback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 30' (c) |
| Side Setback (min) | 15' |
| Rear Setback (min) | 15' (g) |
| Building Coverage (max) | 25% |
| Building Height (max) | 35' |
| Lot Area (min) | 1 acre |
| Lot Width (min) | 140' |
Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) A-1 setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code
A-2setback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 30' (c) |
| Side Setback (min) | 15' |
| Rear Setback (min) | 15' (g) |
| Building Coverage (max) | 25% |
| Building Height (max) | 35' |
| Lot Area (min) | 1 acre |
| Lot Width (min) | 140' |
Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) A-2 setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code
R-1setback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 30' (c) |
| Side Setback (min) | 15' |
| Rear Setback (min) | 15' |
| Building Coverage (max) | 25% |
| Building Height (max) | 35' |
| Lot Area (min) | 12,500 sf |
| Lot Width (min) | 100' |
Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-1 setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code
R-1Asetback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 25' (c) |
| Side Setback (min) | 10' |
| Rear Setback (min) | 15' (h) |
| Building Coverage (max) | 30% |
| Building Height (max) | 35' |
| Lot Area (min) | 9,000 sf |
| Lot Width (min) | 75' |
Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-1A setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code
R-1Bsetback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 25' (d) |
| Side Setback (min) | 5' (e) |
| Rear Setback (min) | 10' |
| Building Coverage (max) | 40% |
| Building Height (max) | 35' |
| Lot Area (min) | 7,500 sf |
| Lot Width (min) | 60' |
Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-1B setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code
R-1Csetback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 20' (d) |
| Side Setback (min) | 5' |
| Rear Setback (min) | 5' |
| Building Coverage (max) | 40% |
| Building Height (max) | 35' |
| Lot Area (min) | 5,000 sf |
| Lot Width (min) | 50' |
Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-1C setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code
R-2setback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 25' (d) |
| Side Setback (min) | 5' (e) |
| Rear Setback (min) | 10' |
| Building Coverage (max) | 40% |
| Building Height (max) | 35' |
| Lot Area (min) | 9,000 sf |
| Lot Width (min) | 75' |
Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-2 setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code
R-2Asetback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 25' (d) |
| Side Setback (min) | 5' (d) |
| Rear Setback (min) | 10' |
| Building Coverage (max) | 40% |
| Building Height (max) | 35' |
| Lot Area (min) | 7,500 sf |
| Lot Width (min) | 60' |
Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-2A setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code
R-3setback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 25' (e) |
| Side Setback (min) | 5' |
| Rear Setback (min) | 10' |
| Building Coverage (max) | 40% |
| Building Height (max) | 35' |
| Lot Area (min) | 7,500 sf |
| Lot Width (min) | 60' |
Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-3 setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code
R-3Asetback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 25' (e) |
| Side Setback (min) | 5' |
| Rear Setback (min) | 10' |
| Building Coverage (max) | 40% |
| Building Height (max) | 35' |
| Lot Area (min) | 7,500 sf |
| Lot Width (min) | 60' |
Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-3A setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code
Verify current requirements with the jurisdiction — informational reference only. Standards vary by overlay, lot, and use; we confirm the exact rules for your property during feasibility.
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What this covers
Detached or attached accessory dwelling on a Denver lot: foundation or module, envelope, and utility tie-in. Height and massing follow Denver bulk-plane and ADU rules for the zone; confirm with CPD before drawings freeze.
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How the work is coordinated
A municipally licensed Denver general contractor coordinates licensed specialty trades for electrical and plumbing. Denver-metro work is permitted locally. Colorado has no statewide general-contractor license. Cities and counties license general contractors. DORA licenses electrical and plumbing (and similar regulated trades), not general contractors. Autotelic is a municipally licensed Denver general contractor that coordinates licensed specialty trades. Denver building permits run through Community Planning and Development (CPD). Costs are project-specific; no dollar figures.
Service Area
Serving Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County
We serve Wheat Ridge, 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 Wheat Ridge project.
FAQ
Common questions
How much does an ADU cost in Denver?
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.
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. 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.
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