PlainPermit

Home › Denver, CO › Deck

Do I need a permit for a deck in Denver, CO?

Last verified: · Confidence: high · Status: Verified from official source

Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.
Depends on your project Confidence: high

Uncovered decks of 200 sq ft or less with walking surfaces no more than 30 in above grade are exempt from a building permit. Larger, higher or covered decks need one.

What changes the answer

Note: Zoning permit requirements for decks were not checked.

Cost

Building permit fee by valuation of work: $20 for $1-$500; $35 for $501-$2,000; $35 + $8 per extra $1,000 (or fraction) up to $25,000. Plan review adds 50% above $2,000 in valuation.

Fee source: https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Community-Planning-and-Development/Plan-Review-Permits-and-Inspections/Development-Fees

Where to apply

Denver e-permits (Community Planning and Development)

Permitting authority: City and County of Denver Community Planning and Development (CPD). Landmark/historic district properties need a Certificate of Appropriateness and often a permit even for otherwise-exempt work.

Official sources

“Uncovered decks including associated guards, stairs, and ramps that do not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area, with walking surfaces that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, and are regulated by the Denver Residential Code.”

Source: https://denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/3/community-planning-and-development/documents/ds/building-codes/2025_denver_building_code.pdf

Verified: · Status: verified · Confidence: high

See something wrong or out of date? Report a correction (anonymous, no email needed).

Other projects in Denver

Deck permits in other cities