Rep. Judy Amabile, a Democrat from Boulder, is co-sponsoring a bill that would relax restrictions on building accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. The bill includes $10 million for cities to implement the rule changes and another $8 million to provide loans and down-payment assistance for people building ADUs.
Boulder has already eased ADU restrictions, such as eliminating limits on how many can be built in certain neighborhoods. But some restrictions remain. This bill would prevent Boulder from imposing its off-street parking requirements and eliminate owner-occupancy requirements, which the city essentially uses to prevent commercialization of rental properties.
According to Carl Castillo, the city’s chief policy adviser, the city’s position on the bill is “support if amended.” Amendments would be aimed at encouraging long-term rentals of ADUS and supporting intergenerational living arrangements.
For other cities, this bill may be controversial because it overrides local zoning laws and eliminates discretionary, time-consuming approval requirements from planning boards and city councils. The Colorado Municipal League, which advocates for municipal governments in the state, is opposing it. Amabile said she expects the bill will be amended.