Height limits in Denver, CO
Building codes decide when you need a permit; zoning decides how tall you can go. Both are below, measured the way Denver measures them.
Rules last checked by a person on October 19, 2026. Guidance only; confirm with Denver before you build.
Citywide
| Fence: Front yard (in front of the house) | 4 ft max |
|---|---|
| Fence: Side and back yard (behind the front facade) | 6 ft max |
Urban (U-) single unit, two unit and row house
| Shed: Height, no zoning permit (Minor Detached, Option B) | 14 ft, 1 story |
|---|---|
| Garage: Height | 1 story, 17 ft; bulk plane 10 ft at 45° |
| ADU: Height | 2 stories, 24 ft |
Urban Edge (E-) single unit, two unit and row house
| Shed: Height, no zoning permit (Minor Detached, Option B) | 14 ft, 1 story |
|---|---|
| Garage: Height | 1 story, 17 ft; bulk plane 10 ft at 45° |
| ADU: Height | Option A: 1 story, 17 ft. Option B: 2 stories, 24 ft |
Suburban (S-) single unit
| Shed: Height, no zoning permit (Minor Detached, Option B) | 14 ft, 1 storyMinor Detached standards read the same across the S-, E- and U- contexts; confirmed in Article 5.Confidence: medium |
|---|---|
| Shed: Height with a zoning permit (General Detached) | 1 story, 17 ft, bulk plane 10 ft at 45° |
| Garage: Height | 1 story, 17 ft; bulk plane 10 ft at 45° |
| ADU: Height | Option A: 1 story, 17 ft. Option B: 2 stories, 24 ft |
Suburban (S-) row house
| Garage: Height | 1 story, 17 ft; bulk plane 10 ft at 45° |
|---|---|
| ADU: Height | 2 stories, 24 ft |
Check your lot
Sources
- Denver CPD, Residential Sheds. Checked 2026-10-19.
You do not need a building permit for one-story, detached, non-conditioned accessory buildings... no more than 200 square feet of projected roof area, 8-ft top plate height, or 14-ft maximum height to any point.
- Denver Zoning Code Article 5 (Urban context), Div. 5.3 building forms. Checked 2026-10-19.
General Detached Structure: 1 story, 17 ft... Side Interior (min), for structure entirely in rear 35% of zone lot 0'... not entirely in rear 35% 5'... Rear, no alley 5'.
- 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...
- Denver CPD, Residential Garages. Checked 2026-10-19.
All garages need zoning, building, and sewer use and drainage permits (SUDP).
- 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…
- Denver CPD, Residential Decks, Porches, Patios, Pergolas, and Carports. Checked 2026-10-19.
Uncovered decks 12” or more off the ground require a zoning permit. If they are 30” or more off the ground, they will also require a building permit. All covered structures... need both a zoning and a building permit.
- Denver CPD, Permitting an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Checked 2026-10-19.
ADUs are allowed in all zone districts that allow new single unit dwellings. ADUs must be built by a licensed contractor... Only one ADU is allowed per primary dwelling unit.
- Denver CPD, Fences and Walls. Checked 2026-10-19.
All fences over four feet tall need a zoning permit... Post-hole dug fences only need a building permit if they are taller than eight feet, but all other fence and wall types require building permits if they are over four feet tall.