Arvada, CO Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

The Land Development Code treats small sheds differently depending on size. Section 5-1-4-3, Mini-Structures, covers "small sheds, playhouses and gazebos," and Table 5-1-4-3 caps them at 200 square feet and 12 feet in height (except tree houses). A lot is limited to two mini-structures, though the cap does not apply to certain nonresidential uses such as Community Agriculture or Day Care Center. Mini-structures cannot sit in a front yard, cannot attach to the principal building, and on corner lots must still meet the street-side setback of the underlying zoning district; roofed mini-structures must match the principal building's materials and colors, and none may be used to store a vehicle.

Once a shed, detached garage, stable, loafing shed, or barn requires a building permit, it instead falls under Section 5-1-5-3, Accessory Buildings. These structures cannot, except for barns and stables, exceed the footprint of the principal dwelling's living area, and stables, loafing sheds and barns are allowed only in the RA and RN-32.5 zoning districts. The maximum number of permitted accessory buildings is set by Table 5-1-5-3A and ranges from two on RN-4 lots up to seven on RA lots of five acres or more. Accessory buildings in every district except RA must sit within the zoning district's required setbacks and behind the front plane of the principal building's front facade; RA accessory buildings may be located in any yard as long as they still meet the applicable setback. Section 5-1-5-3(C) also folds accessory-building square footage into the lot's overall maximum lot coverage calculation.