Granny Flats and Carriage Houses for Denver

Grass Root Efforts to Help Bring Back a Much-Loved Building Form

1 minute read

June 27, 2009, 11:00 AM PDT

By Kevin Dickson


A group of Denver residents believe the city's new zoning code should allow for the building of so-called carriage houses.

Following implementation of the old code 53 years ago, city officials did away with residents' ability to build what are known as accessory dwelling units.

Bob Sperling, leader of the Friends of Granny group, says the issue is about choice.

"I believe in preserving Denver's single-family housing," said Sperling. "One of the ways of doing that, and to cut down on slash and burn by outside speculators on buying up property, bulldozing it and putting up duplexes, is to build accessory dwelling units."

Tina Axelrad, Denver's principal city planner, added that carriage houses wouldn't stylistically fit in with every neighborhood.

The proposed code would allow for carriage houses of up to 1,000 square feet, which has Sperling thrilled. But he does not believe a neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach is appropriate. Sperling is of the mindset that planners should simply allow for carriage houses on a citywide basis.

Thanks to Daniel Markovsky

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 in Denver Daily News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.