Denver Zoning Code Section 11.8.2.1.B.2 sets accessory-dwelling gross-floor-area (GFA) limits by primary dwelling, zone-district group, ADU form, and zone-lot area. The table applies only where the ADU use is permitted with limitations. Check the property’s zoning record and the applicable use table before using a size limit; a GFA cap alone does not establish that an ADU is allowed or that it fits the site.
Read the row that matches the property
| Primary dwelling and zone scope | ADU form | Zone-lot area | Maximum ADU GFA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-unit dwelling in an SU zone district where ADUs are permitted with limitations | Attached or detached | 7,000 sq ft or less | 864 sq ft |
| Same zone and dwelling scope | Attached or detached | Greater than 7,000 sq ft | 1,000 sq ft |
| Single-unit dwelling outside the SU districts where ADUs are permitted with limitations | Attached | No lot-area threshold in this row | 75% of primary-use GFA or 864 sq ft, whichever is greater |
For a detached ADU outside the SU-zone row, the Section 11.8.2.1.B.2 table lists “Not applicable” for maximum GFA. That entry does not supply a numeric floor-area limit. Check the building-form standards and all other rules for the applicable district rather than treating the table cell as an unlimited allowance.
Confirm the measurements and code path
Denver’s table uses zone-lot area and gross floor area. Confirm those terms using the applicable code definitions and the city’s zoning record; do not substitute an assessor’s parcel area or a different floor-area measure without checking how Denver defines it. The relevant row also depends on whether the primary use is a single-unit dwelling and whether the ADU is attached or detached.
This summary covers the GFA table in the Denver Zoning Code. Denver identifies both the Denver Zoning Code and Former Chapter 59 as zoning systems used in the city. Confirm which code governs the property, then check the applicable district’s height, setbacks, bulk plane, coverage, and building-form standards. Building, fire, overlay, and permit requirements are separate checks. No row in the GFA table is a parcel-specific approval.