Centennial, CO Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Centennial, CO, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Maximum floor area
- 120 square feet
- Maximum height
- 10 feet to roof peak
- Buffer if under 2 ft from line
- 5-ft screen or growing hedge
- Utility easements
- Not allowed without written permission
Summary
Centennial lets sheds up to 120 square feet and 10 feet tall sit anywhere in a side or rear yard, but sheds within two feet of the property line need a five-foot opaque screen or a hedge that reaches three feet within 18 months.
Sheds that are 120 square feet or less in floor area and not more than 10 feet in height to the peak of the roof may be located anywhere in a side or rear yard, provided that: a. If they are located closer than two feet to a side or rear lot line, the area between the shed and the lot line is: i. The location of an opaque wall or fence that is at least five feet in height; or ii. Planted with shrubs that will grow to form a hedge with a height of at least three feet within not more than 18 months of planting.
Full Breakdown
Under LDC § 12-3-603(E)(2), a detached shed of 120 square feet or less and no more than 10 feet tall to the roof peak can go anywhere in a side or rear yard without meeting the larger accessory-building footprint and setback rules. The tradeoff is a screening requirement: any shed placed closer than two feet to a side or rear lot line needs either an opaque wall or fence at least five feet high, or shrubs planted to form a three-foot hedge within 18 months. Sheds also can't sit in a utility easement without the easement holder's written permission, and can't block stormwater drainage or create building-code nonconformities on neighboring lots.
Violations & Fines
Placing a shed within two feet of a lot line without the required screen or hedge, or siting one in a utility easement without written permission, violates § 12-3-603(E)(2) and can trigger a Community Development order to fix or relocate it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a shed right on my property line in Centennial?
Can a shed go in a utility easement in Centennial?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Centennial
How Centennial compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Centennial to another location·View the Colorado accessory structures overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle shed & carport rules.