Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Unincorporated Arapahoe County?
It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Unincorporated Arapahoe County comes down to the details of your project.
A shed that will have electricity, plumbing, or a permanent foundation falls outside the usual small accessory building exemption, which generally covers simple unpowered structures only. Electrical and plumbing work each normally require their own permit and inspection even when the structure itself would have been exempt, and many jurisdictions require a licensed electrician or plumber to pull them. Zoning setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage are reviewed separately from the building permit, so confirm placement with your local department before the shed is delivered or poured. Colorado sets shed rules locally rather than through one statewide threshold, so the 200 square foot figure from the model International Residential Code does not govern here. Every Colorado jurisdiction we have checked uses 120 square feet instead: Aurora exempts a one-story detached shed or playhouse of 120 square feet or less, Arvada requires a permit above 120, and Wheat Ridge requires one above 120. In parts of Colorado a single regional building department serves a county and several cities at once, so confirm which office covers your address before you rely on any threshold. A building-permit exemption does not waive zoning setbacks or HOA rules, and running power to the shed still requires an electrical permit. In Arapahoe County, permits outside the cities are handled by the Arapahoe County Public Works and Development, Building Division, reachable on 720-874-6600 at https://www.arapahoeco.gov/your_county/county_departments/public_works_and_development/divisions/building/index.php. Its online permit portal is https://aca-prod.accela.com/ARAPAHOE/Default.aspx. This office covers unincorporated Arapahoe County, and in parts of Colorado one regional building department serves a county and several of its cities at once, so confirm which office covers your address. Ask specifically about the size that triggers a permit and about setbacks, since those are set locally and are the two things people most often get wrong on a shed.
Documents you may need
- Permit applicationLikely required
- Site plan showing the structure and setbacks from property linesrequired
- Foundation/anchoring and structural details for larger shedsSometimes required
Possible inspections
- Setback/footing inspection where a foundation is required
- Final inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Unincorporated Arapahoe County?
- It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Unincorporated Arapahoe County comes down to the details of your project. A shed that will have electricity, plumbing, or a permanent foundation falls outside the usual small accessory building exemption, which generally covers simple unpowered structures only. Electrical and plumbing work each normally require their own permit and inspection even when the structure itself would have been exempt, and many jurisdictions require a licensed electrician or plumber to pull them. Zoning setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage are reviewed separately from the building permit, so confirm placement with your local department before the shed is delivered or poured. Colorado sets shed rules locally rather than through one statewide threshold, so the 200 square foot figure from the model International Residential Code does not govern here. Every Colorado jurisdiction we have checked uses 120 square feet instead: Aurora exempts a one-story detached shed or playhouse of 120 square feet or less, Arvada requires a permit above 120, and Wheat Ridge requires one above 120. In parts of Colorado a single regional building department serves a county and several cities at once, so confirm which office covers your address before you rely on any threshold. A building-permit exemption does not waive zoning setbacks or HOA rules, and running power to the shed still requires an electrical permit. In Arapahoe County, permits outside the cities are handled by the Arapahoe County Public Works and Development, Building Division, reachable on 720-874-6600 at https://www.arapahoeco.gov/your_county/county_departments/public_works_and_development/divisions/building/index.php. Its online permit portal is https://aca-prod.accela.com/ARAPAHOE/Default.aspx. This office covers unincorporated Arapahoe County, and in parts of Colorado one regional building department serves a county and several of its cities at once, so confirm which office covers your address. Ask specifically about the size that triggers a permit and about setbacks, since those are set locally and are the two things people most often get wrong on a shed.
- Who issues the permit in Unincorporated Arapahoe County?
- The local building department for Unincorporated Arapahoe County handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.