Jefferson County, Colorado Shed Permit Guide

Planning a shed for property in Jefferson County, Colorado? Before you order, find out which Jefferson County shed permit you need, how big and tall your shed can be, how far it must sit from property lines, and what the county wants to see in your application. Getting this right before delivery avoids redesigns and delays.

This guide is built on Jefferson County's published requirements — its web pages, shed guide, permit application and checklists, each linked where cited. Jefferson County makes every permitting decision. The Shed Yard does not.

Jefferson County Shed Permit Requirements

In unincorporated Jefferson County, sheds are handled by Jefferson County Planning and Zoning (100 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 3550, Golden, CO 80419, 303-271-8700). Building Permits begin with a Planning and Zoning review and are then reviewed and issued by Jefferson County Building Safety (303-271-8260), according to the county's Residential Building Permit Checklist.

The county's Mini-Structures, Sheds, Shipping Containers, and Conex Boxes guide (revised July 1, 2026) states that its building-permit requirements "also [apply] to pre-fabricated sheds and structures." A pre-built shed delivered to your yard is treated the same way as one built on site.

Unincorporated County or a City?

A Jefferson County mailing address doesn't tell you who issues your permit. The county's shed rules apply in unincorporated Jefferson County. If your property is inside an incorporated city or town, that municipality may run its own building and zoning process, so ask it directly. Confirm your parcel's jurisdiction with Planning and Zoning before relying on this guide.

When Does a Shed Require a Permit in Jefferson County?

Jefferson County's shed guide sets out two permit paths. Apply for a Miscellaneous Permit if all of these apply:

• The shed is 120 square feet or less and at least 10 feet from an occupied structure.
• The shed is less than 14 feet tall at the peak.

Apply for a Building Permit if any of these apply:

• The shed is within 10 feet of a habitable structure, no matter the size.
• The shed is greater than 120 square feet.
• The shed is more than 14 feet tall at the peak.

Jefferson County Shed Size Limits, Setbacks and Property Restrictions

Does a house have to be on the property first?

Yes, in residential zones. Jefferson County says "residential zone districts require there to be a house on the property (permitted use) before there can be a shed, shipping container, or mini structure (accessory use)."

How much shed square footage is allowed?

• Mini-structure cap: the Zoning Resolution's Accessory Uses section allows no more than a cumulative 200 square feet of mini-structures for storage per lot in residential zones, except the Agricultural-One, Agricultural-Two and Agricultural-Thirty-Five districts.
• Total accessory square footage: the county's Accessory Square Footage Guide says all accessory square footage (garages, sheds, ADUs and more) cannot exceed the home's primary square footage.
• Maximum footprint: no accessory structure's footprint can exceed 75% of the house's footprint.
• Agricultural use: sheds in agricultural zone districts may qualify for a waiver of accessory requirements if used for agricultural purposes, but they still need to be permitted.
• Exceeding total accessory square footage or the maximum footprint requires relief from the Board of Adjustment.

How tall can a shed be?

Above 14 feet at the peak, a shed needs a Building Permit. Separately, the Accessory Square Footage Guide says that in most zone districts an accessory structure cannot exceed the height of the primary structure, and many districts set a maximum accessory height; the lower limit applies. The county generally measures height from the average grade to the midpoint of the roof. Agricultural districts are the exception.

How far from the property line?

Setbacks are set by your property's zone district. For mini-structures up to 200 square feet and less than 14 feet at the peak, the Zoning Resolution requires the district's front setback for accessory structures and a 5-foot minimum side and rear setback. Larger sheds follow the full setbacks of the zone district. If a planned setback for a detached accessory structure under a Building Permit is within 3 feet (Plains) or 5 feet (Mountain areas) of the required setback, the Zoning Resolution calls for a surveyor-certified Setback Verification form.

• Easements and floodplains: Jefferson County says these structures may not be in easements or floodplains. Its shed guide allows a utility easement only with letters of no objection from the utility companies, and a drainage easement only with a stamped engineer's letter showing no drainage impact.
• Wildland Urban Interface (WUI): structures in the WUI Overlay District must meet defensible space and structure-hardening rules in the Wildfire Resiliency Code. The Building Permit checklist requires an initial defensible space review by a Wildfire Mitigation Specialist for all Building Permits in the WUI.
• Grading: projects that grade half an acre or more will likely trigger a Grading Permit review.
• HOA/POA: the Miscellaneous Permit application asks you to consult your association first, since it may have restrictions beyond the county's review.

Shed Foundations, Plans and Supporting Documents

Miscellaneous Permit submittal

For a mini-structure, the Miscellaneous Permit application asks for a scaled site plan with easements shown and structural and elevation drawings. County staff record the zoning, structure height, geological hazards, floodplain, easements, setbacks and cumulative square footage.

Building Permit submittal

The Residential Building Permit Checklist lists items required at submittal. For a shed these typically include:

• A signed Building Permit application.
• A site plan to scale, following the county's Site Plan Requirements.
• Construction documents to scale, including floor plans and elevations.
• Proof of ownership, if the owner doesn't match Assessor records.
• Proof of proper division of land (Senate Bill 35) for properties under 35 acres.
• Initial defensible space review if the property is in the WUI Overlay District.
• Proof of fire protection, a written statement from the fire protection district.

Jefferson County's published shed guide does not set out a shed-specific foundation detail. Compare practical options in our shed foundation guide and site preparation services, and confirm foundation requirements with Building Safety.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Jefferson County

• 1. Confirm jurisdiction. Make sure your parcel is in unincorporated Jefferson County and not inside a city or town.
• 2. Check zoning. Find your zone district, its setbacks and height limits, and confirm a house already exists on a residential lot.
• 3. Add up accessory square footage. Use the Accessory Square Footage Guide to check the 200 sq. ft. mini-structure cap, total accessory limit, and 75% footprint rule.
• 4. Pick the permit type. Miscellaneous Permit for sheds of 120 sq. ft. or less, under 14' at the peak and 10'+ from an occupied structure; otherwise a Building Permit.
• 5. Check easements, floodplain and WUI. Keep the shed out of easements and floodplains, and arrange a defensible space review if you're in the WUI.
• 6. Prepare documents. A scaled site plan with easements and drawings for a Miscellaneous Permit, or the full checklist items for a Building Permit.
• 7. Submit. Jefferson County's Applications, Forms and Guides page says Building Permits go through its Online Application System; other permit types, including the Miscellaneous Permit, are emailed (the application lists pzpermits@jeffco.us).
• 8. Pay fees and complete inspections. Schedule the inspections listed on your permit.

Jefferson County Shed Permit Fees

Jefferson County doesn't publish a flat shed-permit fee in the documents we reviewed. The Miscellaneous Permit application says fees are on the county website; see Development, Building and Traffic Impact Fees or ask Planning and Zoning for a project-specific amount.

How The Shed Yard Can Help

Once you know your permit path, the next step is picking a shed that fits it. The Shed Yard offers customizable sheds, including the Economy Shed and Studio Shed, in sizes that can be planned around Jefferson County's 120 sq. ft. and 14-foot thresholds. Monthly payments are available through rent-to-own and traditional financing.

Jefferson County Shed Permit FAQs

Official Jefferson County Sources

• Jefferson County — Outside the Home (sheds and mini-structures)
• Jefferson County — Mini-Structures, Sheds, Shipping Containers, and Conex Boxes guide
• Jefferson County — Accessory Square Footage Guide
• Jefferson County — Zoning Resolution
• Jefferson County — Miscellaneous Permit Application
• Jefferson County — Residential Building Permit Checklist
• Jefferson County — Site Plan Requirements for Building Permits
• Jefferson County — Wildfire Resiliency Code
• Jefferson County — Permitting Information
• Jefferson County — Applications, Forms and Guides
• Jefferson County — Development, Building and Traffic Impact Fees

Building elsewhere? See our Colorado shed permit requirements by county, the Douglas County shed permit guide, or the El Paso County shed permit guide.