The City of Grand Junction continues supporting Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development by releasing sample ADU plans and hosting a free ADU workshop this fall. The sample plans will be available on gjcity.org beginning Monday, November 3, 2025, and the next workshop will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Workshop attendees are required to register online.
Contributed by Mor Storage, a local ADU builder, the ADU plan collection features a variety of floor plans and elevations based on designs that have already been successfully built in the community. These plans are intended as a resource for local homeowners to help reduce upfront design costs and save time in the planning process. While homeowners will still need to work with a licensed general contractor, submit site-specific plans to receive a city planning clearance as well as a building permit, the sample plans can provide a valuable head start and can significantly streamline the design phase for homeowners.
The workshop will walk participants through the City’s ADU Toolkit, offering step-by-step information on the planning process and provide information on the ADU Production Program. Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local builders, general contractors, and lenders during a networking session, and participate in a panel-style Q&A with representatives from the Mesa County Building Department, financial lending institutions, and local builders.
The City has been working to expand ADU opportunities since 2018, when zoning and development code updates reduced barriers for homeowners. Since then, the City has adopted housing strategies, updated development regulations, and launched the ADU Incentive Program to encourage ADU development as a key housing tool. These efforts have been recognized in publications by the Colorado Municipal League (January 2024) and Housing Forward Colorado (July 2025). In Fall 2025, the City was certified by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs as an ADU Supportive Jurisdiction, making it eligible to apply for the State’s ADU Grant Program. The City submitted its application in early October and anticipates that, if awarded, the funding will support the city’s ADU Production program and related incentives in 2026.
For more information about ADU workshops, the ADU Production Program, or to register, contact the Housing Division at 970-256-4094, email housing@gjcity.org, or visit gjcity.org/housing.