Permits & County Codes

Do I need a permit for a shed in Colorado?

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.

Do I need a permit for a detached garage in Colorado?

Yes. A detached garage is over every accessory-building exemption in Colorado, so it needs a building permit, a site plan, an engineered foundation or slab detail, and inspections. Plan on two to eight weeks for review depending on the county. The permit steps and real costs are broken down in our detached garage cost guide.

How do shed setbacks work in Colorado?

A setback is the minimum distance your structure must sit from property lines, roads, and utility easements. Setbacks apply even when a shed is too small to need a permit, and they are set by your city or county zoning district — not by us. Setback distances by jurisdiction are listed in our Colorado shed permit requirements guide.

Do I need an engineered drawing for my shed permit in Colorado?

Sometimes. Many Colorado jurisdictions accept our standard dimensioned drawings for accessory buildings, but larger structures, high snow-load mountain areas, and anything used as a garage or dwelling shell often require drawings with a Colorado engineer's stamp. That carries an additional fee. We walk through the exact submittal packet in our Colorado Springs shed permit guide.

Do I need a shed permit in Colorado Springs?

Pikes Peak Regional Building Department exempts a one-story detached accessory building up to 200 square feet with no plumbing or permanent electric. Above 200 sq ft you need a permit, and city zoning setbacks and height limits apply either way. Every step, fee, and form is in our Colorado Springs shed permit guide.

Do I need a permit for a studio shed in Boulder County?

Boulder County and the City of Boulder are stricter than most of Colorado. A small storage shed may be exempt, but the moment a studio shed gets power, insulation, or is used as workspace, expect a permit, a site plan, and zoning review. We cover Boulder County's rules in our Boulder studio shed delivery guide.

Do I need a permit for a shed in Pueblo, Colorado?

In the Pueblo area a residential shed larger than 200 square feet requires a building permit, and the building department notes that zoning approval may be required regardless of size. Which zoning office you deal with depends on whether you are in unincorporated Pueblo County or inside city limits — both paths are walked through in our Pueblo shed permit guide.

Do I need a permit for a barn in Colorado?

It depends on size and county. Many Colorado jurisdictions exempt on-grade storage buildings under 120 or 200 square feet, but zoning setbacks apply everywhere and larger barns usually require a permit. Our Colorado barn cost and planning guide covers the thresholds, and a mountain-county example is in building a barn in Grand County.