Do I need a permit for a shed in Colorado?
The short answer
Usually not for a small shed. Most Colorado jurisdictions exempt a detached accessory building under 120 or 200 square feet with no plumbing or permanent electric. Above that threshold, or inside city limits and HOA neighborhoods, expect a building permit and a site plan. Our county-by-county Colorado shed permit guide covers the rules where you live.
For most backyard storage buildings in Colorado, the answer is no. Nearly every county and city carves out an exemption for a detached accessory structure below a set floor area — commonly 120 square feet, and in some jurisdictions 200 square feet — as long as the building has no plumbing, no permanent wiring, and is not used as living space. A 10x12 or 10x16 shed on skids very often lands inside that exemption.
The exemption is not a free pass, though. Even a permit-exempt shed still has to obey setbacks, easements, floodplain rules, and any HOA architectural standards. Those are separate from the building permit, and they are the rules that most often force a shed to move a few feet after delivery.
Where the size threshold usually falls
Thresholds are set locally, so the same shed can be exempt on one side of a county line and permitted on the other. Use these as planning ranges and confirm the current number with your building department before you order.
- Under 120 sq ft — the most common statewide exemption. A 10x12 or 8x14 typically qualifies.
- 120 to 200 sq ft — exempt in some jurisdictions, permitted in others. This is where you must call.
- Over 200 sq ft — assume a permit. Garages, home shells, and larger barns are always in this bucket.
- Any plumbing or permanent electrical — a permit is required regardless of size.
Setbacks, easements, and HOAs still apply
A setback is the minimum distance between your structure and a property line, right-of-way, or utility easement. Rural county setbacks are often generous; in-town lots can be tight, with five to ten feet common on side and rear lines. Mountain and foothill properties may also carry wildfire mitigation defensible-space expectations that affect placement near the home.
If you are in an HOA or metro district, submit your color, roof, and siding selections for architectural approval before your build slot. Matching your shingle and trim to the house is the fastest path to an approval.
What we provide when a permit is required
- A dimensioned drawing of your exact building for the permit packet.
- Snow-load and wind-rating information for your model, so the reviewer can see how it is framed.
- Engineered (stamped) drawings when the jurisdiction requires them — this carries an additional fee.
- Anchoring details, which many Colorado counties ask about for wind uplift.
Practical order of operations
Call the building department with your model size and location, confirm the exemption and setbacks, get HOA sign-off if applicable, then place the order. Doing it in that sequence keeps your delivery date from slipping.
How The Shed Yard helps
We build across the Front Range, the mountains, and southern Colorado every week, so we know what reviewers ask for. Tell us your county and model and we will tell you what paperwork we have supplied for similar builds, then hand you the drawings you need. Start with the 3D customizer or call and we will size it with you.
Sources & references
- El Paso County Planning & Community Development
- Douglas County Building Division
- Pueblo County Department of Planning & Development
Local codes change. Always confirm current requirements with your city or county before ordering.