AURORA | The city is considering moving forward with new guidelines to allow more accessory dwelling units and expand housing options.
City council is scheduled to discuss the proposed guidelines at its July 13 study session. The changes would allow accessory dwelling units, including internal, attached and detached styles, to be built on most single-family home lots, which would significantly expand where the units can be located.
Currently, the city only allows accessory dwelling units on lots that are zoned Original Aurora and are served by an alley, as well as in the Painted Prairie development. Only detached accessory dwelling units are currently permitted.
Since the city implemented the ADU regulations in 2018, nine units have been permitted and five units have been constructed. From 2023 to June 2026, the city received 262 requests to construct an ADU from property owners outside of the approved zoning.
The proposal would allow one ADU on all single-family detached lots in the city, including internal, like a basement or upstairs unit, attached and detached styles. However, homeowners associations would still be able to enforce stricter rules for ADUs.
It could also potentially speed up the permitting process for ADUs by reducing the requirement for a public hearing if standards are met. The existing process for an ADU requires a conditional use permit, which includes a public hearing and needs approval from the planning commission.
Council members at the June planning and economic development committee meeting were largely supportive of expanding ADUs, as long as the units meet robust standards.
“I think for me, the most important thing is architectural integrity, so that you don’t have something that looks like a shed that’s supposedly an ADU and it doesn’t match what’s already there,” Councilmember Amy Wiles said.
If the council is supportive of allowing more ADUs, then city staff will present a draft ordinance of the changes, including unit standards and an outline of the permit process.