Since we have many properties in the Fort Collins city limits, we often get questions from owners and prospective tenants about the “U plus 2” rule. There is some confusion about what it means and how to be compliant as a property owner.
The “U plus 2” rule dates all the way back to the 1960s. Fort Collins has always been concerned with over-occupancy of rental properties. My assumption is that this rule came about because of the number of students that made up the population of the city in the 1960s. The rule applies to single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, condominiums, and other multi-family units. At the highest level, the rule says a residential dwelling is restricted to one family plus one additional person or two adults with their dependents plus one additional person.
The city states that a “family” is any number of persons who are related by blood, marriage, adoption, guardianship or other duly authorized custodial relationship, and how they live together as a single housekeeping unit and share common living, sleeping, cooking and eating facilities.
So here are some examples that are allowed and may help put this rule into practice:
- A family of any size
- A family of any size and their housekeeper
- A family of any size and a student not related
- Two single parents and their kids
- Two siblings and a friend
Here are some examples of what is not allowed:
- Two couples adding up to 4 people
- Two sisters and their 2 friends
- A family of any size plus two additional unrelated people
And, as with any rule, there is an exception. If your home meets certain criteria, which can be obtained from the city, you can file for an “Extra Occupancy Rental House Regulation” that allows for you to exceed the “U plus 2” rule.
This blog post should not be taken as legal advice. If you have any questions about this or are in need of property management services, we would be honored to talk to you. Our goal is to become your trusted property management partner.