Do I need a permit for a detached garage in Colorado?
The short answer
Plan to confirm permitting with the authority for your property before ordering a detached garage; size, use, and foundation all matter. Our 13×20 Aurora garage project required Arapahoe County permitting, but its gravel-pad installation shows why a concrete slab should not be presented as universal.
Confirm the permitting authority, vehicle-storage use, zoning and required plans for your property. The Aurora garage project required Arapahoe County permitting and used a gravel road-base pad; it does not establish requirements for another lot.
What to confirm before ordering
- A site plan showing setbacks, easements, driveway access and nearby buildings.
- Foundation or base details accepted for your model, soil and location.
- Structural documentation for local snow and wind design criteria.
- Separate permits for electrical work when required.
- Required inspections and current review times from your building department.
Prepare the approved base first
When your plans require concrete, coordinate preparation, curing and inspections before installation. Other accepted bases must follow their own approved requirements; do not assume every garage uses a slab or is built on site.
How The Shed Yard helps
We can help with drawings, permitting and site preparation. Compare 1-car garages and 2-car garages and confirm delivery or on-site construction for your chosen model.