Permit Required? Sometimes Required
Typical Fee Range $50–$250 Exempt if 200 sq ft or less anddetached; $50 minimum base fee for permitted structures (2026).
Fee Method Valuation-based
Apply Online Apply at Denver Community Planning and Development →

What's Required in Denver

  • No permit required for one-story detached storage sheds up to 200 square feet.
  • Must not exceed 8 feet in top-plate height or 14 feet in maximum height.
  • Must be located in a rear yard and maintain 3-foot minimum setbacks from the primary house.
  • Any shed with electrical wiring (max 2 outlets allowed on simple permits) requires a permit.
  • If over 200 sq ft, a building permit and foundation anchoring are mandatory.
  • Sheds cannot be placed within any utility easements or public rights-of-way.

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Denver

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Denver usually comes down to size. In Denver, the cutoff is clear: detached sheds of 200 square feet or less don’t need a building permit, while anything larger does. A popular 10x12 shed (120 sq ft) comes in under the limit, so it typically doesn’t need a building permit. Larger sheds, and any shed with electrical, plumbing, or a permanent foundation, almost always need a permit regardless of footprint.

Building a Shed Without a Permit in Denver

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Denver, “no permit” doesn’t mean “no rules.” A permit-exempt shed generally must stay at or under the 200-square-foot limit, sit on a non-permanent base (sheds on skids or a gravel pad are treated more leniently than those on a poured foundation), and have no electrical or plumbing run to it. Crucially, zoning setbacks still apply — your shed usually has to sit a minimum distance from property lines and other structures, and that holds even for a permit-free shed. Confirm both the size exemption and the setback distance with the Denver Community Planning and Development before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Denver

1

Step 1: Size Verification

Confirm your shed footprint is 200 sq ft or less to bypass the building permit.

2

Step 2: Check Setbacks

Ensure the location follows rear yard zoning rules for your specific district.

3

Step 3: Portal Submission

Apply online for an 'Accessory Structure' permit if over size limits.

4

Step 4: Fee Payment

Pay the permit fee ($50 minimum + valuation surcharge).

5

Step 5: Inspection

Schedule a final structural inspection once anchored and complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a 120 sq ft shed is under the 200 sq ft exemption limit.
Typically 3–5 feet, but you must not place it in a side yard or easement.
The minimum base fee is about $50 plus plan review if over 200 sq ft.
In Denver, sheds of 200 square feet or less can be built without a building permit; anything larger needs one. The exemption usually also requires no permanent foundation and no electrical or plumbing, and zoning setbacks from property lines still apply even without a permit.
Often not, if it’s also within Denver’s 200 sq ft limit and has no utilities — many jurisdictions treat a shed on skids or a gravel pad as movable rather than a permanent building. A poured foundation or any electrical/plumbing typically triggers a permit. Confirm with the Denver Community Planning and Development; zoning setbacks apply either way.