Denver ADU Rent Estimator (2026)

Denver ADU rents at a glance

Denver ADU rents median around $2.40 per square foot per month as of April 2026 — softer than Portland and the California metros but still firmly above national median. A typical 600 sqft 1-bedroom detached ADU rents for $1,225–$1,650/month, with a midpoint near $1,440. An 800 sqft 2-bedroom clears $1,800–$2,400. Highlands, RiNo, Wash Park, and Cherry Creek-adjacent neighborhoods carry a 15–25% premium.

Where the 2024 ADU preemption law lands

Colorado HB24-1152, effective 2025, made by-right ADU permitting the default in most Colorado cities and preempted local owner-occupancy rules. Two years in, the supply impact in Denver is real but gradual — permits are up roughly 30% YoY but new ADU completions still represent under 1% of housing stock. The expected medium-term effect is to anchor rents near current levels rather than push them higher.

Top Denver neighborhoods by ADU rent

Highest per-sqft: Highlands (LoHi, Sloan's Lake), RiNo, Wash Park, Cherry Creek-adjacent, Cap Hill, Berkeley, City Park West. Mid-tier: Park Hill, Central Park (formerly Stapleton), Sunnyside, Whittier, Five Points. Below median: far East Denver, Montbello, parts of Aurora, and unincorporated Adams County. Use the estimator above with your specific ZIP for a tighter read.

How condition affects Denver ADU rent

Denver tenants pay material premiums for energy efficiency (the climate range — hot summers, cold winters — punishes poorly-insulated stock) and for in-unit laundry, which is rare in Denver's older housing. New construction earns the full 10% premium in the estimator. Off-street parking is more important in Denver than in coastal-California metros: a dedicated parking spot adds $75–$150/month to a comparable rental.