Do you need a permit for a detached garage in Denver, CO?
Yes. All garages need a zoning permit in Denver.
Every garage needs three permits: zoning, building and sewer use and drainage (SUDP).
Detached garages are capped at one story and 17 ft.
Rules last checked by a person on October 19, 2026. Guidance only; confirm with Denver before you build.
Check your exact lot
Setbacks depend on your zoning district, and a flood zone can change the permit answer. Enter your address to see both.
Permits a detached garage can need in Denver
| Permit | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Zoning permit | All garages need a zoning permit in Denver. |
| Building permit | All garages need a building permit in Denver. |
| Sewer use and drainage permit (SUDP) | All garages need a sewer use and drainage permit in Denver. |
| Floodplain development permit | If the lot is in a FEMA special flood hazard area, all development there needs a permit. |
| Electrical permit | Wiring needs its own permit.Confidence: medium |
Urban (U-) single unit, two unit and row house
| Height | 1 story, 17 ft; bulk plane 10 ft at 45° |
|---|---|
| Location | At least 10 ft behind 75% of the front facade |
| Side interior setback | 0 ft entirely in rear 35% of lot; otherwise 5 ft (3 ft on lots 30 ft wide or less) |
| Rear setback | 5 ft; on an alley 5 ft if doors face the alley, 0 ft if they don't |
| Footprint | 1,000 sq ft (U-SU); 1,000 sq ft per unit (TU, RH) |
| Length | 36 ft max (SU and TU) |
All rules for Urban (U-) single unit, two unit and row house
Urban Edge (E-) single unit, two unit and row house
| Height | 1 story, 17 ft; bulk plane 10 ft at 45° |
|---|---|
| Location | At least 10 ft behind 75% of the front facade |
| Side interior setback | 0 ft entirely in rear 35% of lot; otherwise 5 ft (3 ft on lots 30 ft wide or less) |
| Rear setback | 5 ft; on an alley 5 ft if doors face the alley, 0 ft if they don't |
| Footprint | 1,000 sq ft (E-SU); 1,000 sq ft per unit (TU) |
All rules for Urban Edge (E-) single unit, two unit and row house
Suburban (S-) single unit
| Height | 1 story, 17 ft; bulk plane 10 ft at 45° |
|---|---|
| Location | At least 10 ft behind 75% of the front facade |
| Side interior setback | 0 ft entirely in rear 35% of lot; otherwise 5 ft (3 ft on lots 30 ft wide or less) |
| Rear setback | 5 ft; on an alley 5 ft if doors face the alley, 0 ft if they don't |
| Footprint | 1,000 sq ft per unit; length 36 ft per unit (S-SU) |
Suburban (S-) row house
| Height | 1 story, 17 ft; bulk plane 10 ft at 45° |
|---|---|
| Side interior setback | 0 ft entirely in rear 35% of lot; otherwise 5 ft (3 ft on lots 30 ft wide or less) |
| Rear setback | 5 ft; on an alley 5 ft if doors face the alley, 0 ft if they don't |
Local details
- Building within 3 ft of a property line? Denver wants a boundary or improvement survey with the application.
- Call 811 at least a few days before you dig footings or post holes. Utility locating is free.
- HOA covenants and deed restrictions can be stricter than city rules. Check yours before you build.
How to apply
- Denver e-permits (Accela)
- Single-family and duplex projects
- Denver zoning map
- Denver Zoning Code
- Phone: 311 (720-913-1311)
Questions people ask
- When does a detached garage need a building permit in Denver?
- All garages need a building permit in Denver.
- Do I also need a zoning permit for a detached garage in Denver?
- All garages need a zoning permit in Denver.
- How far from the property line can a detached garage go in Denver?
- Side interior setback: 0 ft entirely in rear 35% of lot; otherwise 5 ft (3 ft on lots 30 ft wide or less). Setbacks vary by zoning district; check your exact lot for the district that applies.
- Where do I apply for a detached garage permit in Denver?
- Apply through Denver e-permits (Accela), or call 311 (720-913-1311).
Sources
- Denver CPD, Residential Garages. Checked 2026-10-19.
All garages need zoning, building, and sewer use and drainage permits (SUDP).
- 44 CFR 59.1, definition of development (NFIP). Checked 2026-10-19.
Development means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures...
- 44 CFR 60.3, floodplain management criteria. Checked 2026-10-19.
Require permits for all proposed construction or other development in the community...
- 2024 IRC R105.2, Work exempt from permit (text published by the City of Benson, AZ). Checked 2026-10-19.
One-story detached accessory structures, provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet. Fences not over 7 feet high. Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a…