All Forum Posts by: Bryan Tench

Thanks for all the inputs on this one. The more research I've done, Denver's zoning code is laid out fairly well on ADUs and STRs but the other metro cities are much less clear so I've found it much easier to call the city directly on a case-by-case basis rather than trying to decipher the code. I'll echo @James Carlson's gripe, I hope that the metro area starts relaxing the ADU restrictions to help with the affordability and supply issues soon. It seems that eventually they will need to adopt the ADU tolerance of other large metro areas.

@Kevin Dickson, I actually do have your property flagged so I'll definitely take a closur look at it, run the numbers and see if it'll work with my strategy/goals. 

Thanks for all the help everyone, unfortunately this one didn't work out. Turned out there were multiple offers over asking at which point the numbers no longer worked. I definitely like the potential of an ADU so I'll have to do some more digging into the Denver Metro zoning codes.

Thanks for all the feedback. 

@Jeff B. I definitely plan to give the city a call on Monday but unfortunately offers are due by the end today.

@Jay Hinrichs I agree ADUs definitely offer a great opportunity and I think is the most feasible in this market as multi-plex prices are through the roof. 

@Bill S. @Seth Borman, This property is in Lakewood, CO 80227 and is zoned R-1-6. City regulation states that for a SFH an ADU shall not exceed 700 sqft and can only have 1bd. I do not believe the basement on this property will comply with those regulations as an ADU. Since we intend to be the occupants for that space we don't need a full kitchen, essentially we just need a sink so what distinguishes an ADU from say adding a Wet Bar to a basement? If this strategy in not feasible due to the regulations, how likely is it that I could get a variance or the property re-zoned as a MF?

As far as the AirBnB, I do not intend to add another kitchen to that room, the intention was to rent it out as a 1bd/1ba room. Based on the city codes it does not seems like short term rentals are strictly regulated, essentially it just cant be rented out for more than 120d a year.

Hey everyone,

I am a new investor in the Denver metro area. My wife and I are looking to House Hack our first property. We are considering making an offer on a single family home this weekend. The home is unique in that it has a separate entrance to the basement and an easily configurable entrance to a great little studio area with a half bath. Our strategy is to live in the basement level, rent out the main floor on a traditional lease and AirBnB the studio area. It would require minor mods to support this strategy but I'm not too familiar with zoning limitations and risks. Since it is a SFH we would need to add somewhat of a kitchen to the basement so we could live in it. Zoning Ordinance for this home limits the ADU to <700 sqft and 1 bd. The basement is larger than 700 sq feet so my question is when does this become an issue? Does that mean that upon re-sale we simply cannot advertise it as a SFH w/ ADU or is there a immediate risk to us living there while renting our the main floor?