Do I Need a Permit to Build a Barn or Shop in Colorado?

In most Colorado counties, yes. A permanent barn, shop or garage above a small size usually needs a permit, and setbacks and zoning apply even under an ag exemption. Requirements vary by county, and we'll walk you through yours.

Key takeaways

• Permits are handled by the county, or by the city or town inside its limits.
• Nearly every permanent, engineered building above a modest size needs one.
• Agricultural exemptions exist in many counties but have specific requirements and still involve zoning.
• The permit protects you at inspection, with your insurer and at resale.
• Rocky Mountain Metal can pull permits in some counties and cities, not all. Either way, we'll walk you through what yours requires.

Who issues the permit?

If your property is outside city limits, the county building department. Inside a city or town, such as Cañon City, Florence, Pueblo, Salida or Trinidad, the municipality does. Some small towns contract permitting to the county. Your address and parcel number tell the department which rules apply.

What usually triggers a permit?

Thresholds vary, but a permit is generally required for:

• A detached accessory building above a small size limit
• Any building on a concrete foundation or slab
• Any building with electrical, plumbing or heating
• Any structure for vehicles, workshops, living space or commercial use

A typical detached garage or shop needs a permit in nearly every jurisdiction.

How does the agricultural exemption work?

Colorado allows counties to exempt buildings used for agriculture on agricultural land from some building-code requirements, and many counties do. In practice that usually means:

• The parcel must qualify as agricultural, and the building must be used for agriculture: livestock, hay, equipment or crops. A shop for your cars or a hobby space doesn't qualify.
• You typically still file paperwork, such as an exemption affidavit or zoning permit, and you must meet setbacks, height limits and floodplain rules.
• Electrical work is often still permitted and inspected separately.
• The exemption covers the structural building permit, not zoning.

Read what is an agricultural exemption, and do I qualify? for more. When in doubt, get the permit. An unpermitted building can be harder to insure, finance and sell.

What will the county ask for?

• A site plan showing property lines, setbacks, existing buildings, driveways, wells and septic
• Engineered drawings for the building. See what are stamped engineered drawings?
• The design snow and wind loads, which the county sets
• Foundation details, and a soils report on some sites
• Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits if they apply, sometimes as separate applications
• Fees, usually based on the building's value or size

Then come inspections at stages, typically foundation, framing or structure, electrical and final.

Why get the permit even when you could skip it?

• Insurance. Carriers ask, and an unpermitted building can complicate a claim.
• Resale and appraisal. Unpermitted structures surface during inspection and cost you leverage.
• Financing. Lenders want a permitted, permanent improvement. See how financing works.
• Safety. The inspector is a second set of eyes on your snow and wind engineering.

How does Rocky Mountain Metal help?

The process runs site visit, order, permitting, delivery and install. At the site visit we look at setbacks, access and the ground before anyone fills out a form. Every building we sell through 1st Choice Metal Buildings and Carports is engineered to your site's snow and wind loads. We're able to pull permits in some counties and cities but not all; wherever you are in our service area, we'll walk you through what your county requires. Start with a free quote.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for a small shed or carport?

Very small structures without utilities are sometimes exempt below a size threshold that varies by county. Anything you'd call a barn, shop or garage is usually above it. Check with your county before you order.

How long does a permit take?

It depends on the county, the season and how complete the application is. Complete drawings and a clear site plan help it move faster.

What happens if I build without a permit?

Counties can require after-the-fact permits, fines, engineering letters or removal, and it can come up when you sell. It's not worth it.

Does an HOA approval replace a permit?

No. HOA or design-review approval is separate from the county or city permit. See setbacks, easements and HOAs.