Cheyenne ADU permit requirements
Last reviewed: June 22, 2026
Quick answer
Permitting an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Cheyenne, Wyoming means pulling a building permit from the local authority that issues it. ArchPermit tracks 11 source-cited requirements (9 required, the rest conditional) for this jurisdiction. Submittals go through Cheyenne OpenGov permitting portal. These requirements were last reviewed June 22, 2026; confirm the exact forms and fees with the local permitting authority.
A source-cited checklist of what an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) permit package needs in City of Cheyenne. Every item links to its authoritative source; items that vary are flagged to confirm locally.
An ADU is NOT purely by-right. In UDC Table 5-1 'Accessory Dwelling' is coded 'A' = a use permitted after Administrative Review in residential districts (AG, AR, RR, LR, MR, HR, NR-1/2/3, MUR, MUB; 'P' in PUD), and is not allowed in commercial/industrial/public districts. So before any building permit, the use must clear the Administrative Use Approval process (UDC § 2.2.5): a mandatory pre-application meeting, a formal application, posted notice (1 sign per road frontage for ≥7 days), and a Director decision. One ADU per detached one-unit dwelling lot; ≤40% of the principal dwelling up to 1,200 sf (basement apartments exempt). A Feb 9 2026 amendment (PLTA-25-10) reportedly repealed owner-occupancy and adjusted parking, but the consolidated UDC PDF (dated 2026-02-24) still shows the 'Notice of ADU Regulations' recording and the +1 parking space, so confirm the final adopted § 5.7.3 text.
- Additional Off-Street Parking Spacerequiredverify locally
§ 5.7.3(h): one parking space in addition to that required for the principal dwelling (the Feb 2026 amendment reportedly adjusted this, so verify the final adopted wording).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Administrative Use Approval (Planning)required
ADU is a 'use permitted after administrative review', requiring a mandatory pre-application meeting, formal application, posted notice (1 sign/frontage, 7 days), and Director decision, all of which must precede the building permit.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Building Plans (construction set)required
One complete digital set of building plans (copyrighted plans need a red-stamp or duplication-permission letter).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Energy Code (IECC) Compliance Calculationsrequired
RESCheck (or equivalent) demonstrating 2018 IECC compliance, via the prescriptive or performance path.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Plot Planrequired
To scale (min 1"=30'); title block, north arrow, property dimensions, easements, existing buildings with setbacks, proposed location/dimensions, driveway/curb cut, flood hazard area, and impervious-area table.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Residential Building Permit Applicationrequired
City form: valuation, job address, legal description, use zone, owner/agent, contractor + license #, subcontractors, occupancy, construction type, energy-code path, signed certification.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Site / Drainage Planrequired
One digital set stamped/signed by a WY P.E. or land surveyor; drainage pattern with arrows, pervious/impervious table with % coverage, and conformance to the subdivision grading/drainage plan.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Site-Specific Foundation / Footing Plansrequired
One digital set referencing the legal description/address, stamped/dated/signed by a Wyoming registered engineer or architect of record.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Subcontractor / Contractor Licensingrequired
All contractors and subs must be licensed per the City of Cheyenne Contractor Licensing Regulations.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - 'Notice of ADU Regulations' Recording (Laramie County)conditionalverify locally
Older § 5.7.3(c) requires recording a 'Notice of ADU Regulations' with Laramie County after Director approval; may have been removed by the Feb 2026 amendment; verify.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Homeowner-as-Contractor Affidavitconditional
Required only if the owner acts as their own contractor; notarized, attesting owner-occupied and not for rental/resale for 3 years (so it doesn't fit a rental ADU).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22
Cheyenne ADU permit questions
- Do I need a permit to build an ADU in Cheyenne?
- Yes. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Cheyenne requires a building permit. ArchPermit tracks 11 cited requirements for this jurisdiction (9 required, the rest conditional). Always confirm the exact forms, fees, and code edition with the local permitting authority that issues the permit.
- What does an ADU permit package require in Cheyenne?
- Core required items include: Additional Off-Street Parking Space; Administrative Use Approval (Planning); Building Plans (construction set); Energy Code (IECC) Compliance Calculations; Plot Plan; Residential Building Permit Application, plus 3 more. Each requirement links to its authoritative source, and nothing is permit-ready until an independent licensed professional reviews and seals it.
- How are ADU permits submitted in Cheyenne?
- Cheyenne accepts permit submittals via Cheyenne OpenGov permitting portal. ArchPermit prepares a draft package you can submit there after a licensed architect reviews and seals it.