All Forum Posts by: Santiago Arteaga

@Chris Freeburg THANK YOU SO MUCH. your reply is gold. Really appreciate you taking the time to write something so meaty and thoughtful!  

Hi! I have a duplex in U-TU-C zoning. I have a basement with a partial kitchen and would like to give it an independent access. According to code this turns that space into a "Complete and independent dwelling unit" CIDU (great City document explaining that here). What I cant figure out from the code and after spending hours of research:

is whether in a U-TU-C, in a Duplex unit, you can legally have a CIDU? (that overall structure, would have the neighboring duplex, my own main duplex area plus the second dwelling unit in my basement)

Anyone who can guide me?

I think the key lies on this text from the above cited city doc, but I am not smart enough to interpret it:

Code Compliance Consequences of a Second Complete and Independent Dwelling Unit Finding:
If a second CIDU is found:
1. The Denver zoning codes will apply to determine whether a second Dwelling Unit is permitted in
the subject zone district. A second Dwelling Unit is allowed in the following scenarios:
a. In a zone district that allows the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) use as accessory to a
primary single unit dwelling use (e.g., U-SU-C1 or R-MU-20), the second CIDU would be
considered an attached ADU zoning use, and must be permitted as such.
b. In a zone district that allows Two-Unit Dwelling use (e.g., E-TU-B or R-2), the second CIDU
would be considered part of a Two-Unit Dwelling use of the entire structure, and must be
permitted as such.
2. Where a second Dwelling Unit is allowed by zoning, the IRC shall apply to require, among other
things, any necessary fire safety separation between the Primary Dwelling Unit and the second
CIDU.