01 / Detached
A place of its own.
A separate backyard cottage with privacy and a little breathing room.
ADU planning & feasibility · Boulder, CO
Your property.
More possibility.
A backyard home starts with a clear plan.
We help Boulder-area homeowners explore ADU feasibility, understand site constraints, and map the next steps toward permits.
Check my propertySchedule a Call
Start with a preliminary lot check. No email required.
- Property feasibility
- Planning guidance
- Permit preparation
Let’s start with the basics
A small home.
A whole new chapter.
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent home on the same property as a primary home—with its own kitchen, bathroom, and living space. And it can take more than one shape.
02 / Attached
Close, with your own door.
A connected addition that creates an independent place to call home.
03 / Interior conversion
New life for existing space.
A basement or other part of your home reimagined as a separate dwelling.
The right approach depends on your property and local requirements.
One property. More ways to live.
Why Boco ADU
Local guidance.
Straight answers.
We focus on ADUs in the Boulder area, so your plan starts from the rules and conditions that actually apply to your property.
Boulder-area focus
We work on ADUs in the City of Boulder and unincorporated Boulder County, so the rules we look at are the ones that apply to your lot.
Sourced, dated rules
Every rule and price on our site links its source and the date it was last checked. Where something is still being confirmed, we say so.
A plan before you build
A site visit and a property plan help you understand your options, constraints, and a planning-level budget before you commit to design.
From first look to preconstruction
Start with the free checker, then move from planning toward design and construction, with help connecting to local contractors along the way.
Start with your own backyard
Could an ADU
fit here?
Before you fall in love with a floor plan, get a first look at your lot. Our site planner helps surface potential space and questions worth exploring.
Initial coverage: City of Boulder RL-1 and RL-2 lots.
Preliminary screening—not a permit determination.
A first look at your lot
Illustrative example
Your idea. A clear path forward.
From your first idea
to a plan you can act on.
Start with a free conversation. Get clear answers about your property. Move forward with the right support.
01
Explore your options.
Try our online tools or book a free 15-minute call. Tell us what you have in mind, and we’ll help you find your starting point.
02
Get your property plan.
Work with our local team to understand your options, site constraints, preliminary budget, and the steps toward your ADU.
03
Move toward design
& construction.
Connect with our local contractor network and discuss the support available to turn your property plan into a home.
A closer look at step 02
Your property.
Your goals.
A plan to move forward.
A customized ADU property plan brings your options, questions, and next steps together—so you can make an informed decision before committing to a build.
What you’ll walk away with
- Your goals & options Intended use, preferred size, and possible ADU approaches.
- A closer look at your property Zoning, potential placement, access, and known site constraints.
- An on-site visit Walk your property with our team to discuss your goals and review access, potential placement, and visible site conditions.
- A preliminary site concept An illustrative layout showing a potential location and footprint.
- A budget & next-step roadmap A planning-level cost range, open questions, and recommended next steps.
- A conversation about the findings Walk through your plan with our team and ask questions.
A first step that carries forward.
Your planning fee is credited toward a qualifying design and construction package.*
Clearer decisions today. A useful foundation for whatever comes next.
Planning concepts are not permit-ready drawings. Surveys, engineering, geotechnical work, and other specialist services may require a separate scope. Design and construction packages are in development. *Proposed credit offer: qualifying packages, timing, and terms will be confirmed before purchase.
Less space. More life.
Close to what
matters most.
A place for a parent to stay independent. A first home for a grown child. A long-term rental. An ADU can open a new chapter without leaving the neighborhood you love.
A little homework goes a long way
Start curious. Get informed.
Costs & planning
What goes into
an ADU budget?
Look beyond the building itself.
Local rules
City or county?
Start in the right place.
Your jurisdiction shapes your path.
The path ahead
From first questions
to a clearer plan.
Get familiar with the planning process.
Good questions
Wondering
where to begin?
Do I need a design before talking to you?
No. Start with your goals and the property. Understanding the site first can help you decide what design work to pursue.
Does the checker tell me I can build?
No. It is an initial screening tool. Public map data and automated checks cannot resolve every site condition or replace professional review and approval by the relevant jurisdiction.
Can you help me find local contractors for my ADU?
Yes. We have an extensive network of contractors in Boulder and the surrounding area. We can help you connect with local contractors as your project moves from planning toward construction. Start with your property and goals, and we’ll discuss the contractor support your project may need.
What if my property is outside the checker’s coverage?
Start with the local guides to identify your jurisdiction. Automated coverage and consulting availability are separate; ask about an individual review before relying on the checker.
Your next chapter starts here
Let’s see what’s possible.
You don’t need all the answers. Just a place to start.