Can I permit a 1-car garage as a shed?
The short answer
Sometimes. Some Colorado jurisdictions let a garage-style building be permitted as an accessory storage building, which can reduce foundation and inspection costs; others require a full garage permit once it will house a vehicle. Ask your building department which path applies. Our published estimates are about $25,000 permitted as a shed versus about $30,000 as a garage — explained in our 1-car garage permit guide.
Tell the building department exactly how you will use the building — vehicle storage, workshop, or general storage. The answer drives the foundation detail, inspections, and total cost. Building options and sizes are on our 1-car garage page.
Pricing note
Pricing is current as of October 2026 and subject to change. Size, options, site conditions, and delivery distance affect the final number.