Colorado Springs, CO Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Colorado Springs, 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
- Max area
- 500 sq ft
- Sidewalk setback
- 5 feet
- Curb/roadway setback
- 10 feet
- Max height
- 12 feet at highest point
- Permit review time
- 10 business days after complete application
- Permit expiration
- 1 year if construction not started
Summary
Front-yard carports are allowed in Colorado Springs only with a Front Yard Carport Permit: City Code § 7.3.304C caps them at 500 square feet, sets a 5-foot setback from the sidewalk and 10 feet from the curb, and lets them reach 12 feet in height even though standard accessory structures in a setback max out at 8 feet.
a. General Standard: Carports are allowed in the front yard setback as an accessory use to a single-family detached or two-family dwellings in the A, R-E, R-1 9, R-1 6, R-2, R-4, and single-family PDZ districts only after issuance of a permit in accord with Section 7.5.505 (Front Yard Carport Permit)... (1) The front yard carport shall not exceed five hundred (500) square feet... (2) The front yard carport shall be set back at least five (5) feet from the near edge of the adjacent sidewalk, if any, and at least ten (10) feet from the near edge of the curb or roadway... (8) The front yard carport may exceed the eight (8) foot height limit set forth in Subsection 7.3.304A.2.a (Height Restrictions) but shall not exceed twelve (12) feet at the highest point.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 26-23, passed June 9, 2026).
Full Breakdown
505. To qualify, the carport cannot exceed 500 square feet, must sit at least 5 feet back from the sidewalk and 10 feet from the curb or roadway, must match the side setbacks of the house, and cannot have side panels or screens below 60 inches, except one enclosed side sharing a wall with an existing structure. It must be architecturally compatible with the house: no unfinished wood or galvanized metal, no canvas, plastic, or tent-like material, a minimum 4-inch fascia, and a minimum 4-inch roof overhang.
a. The applicant must also show the side or rear yard is unusable due to size, width, or terrain, or that the Manager finds a side/rear carport would harm the property's use. Detached garages, by comparison, are capped at 1,650 square feet for a single-family home and either 16 or 20 feet in height depending on roof pitch. The permit process requires mailed notice to vicinity property owners, a decision from the Manager within 10 business days of a complete application, and expires if construction hasn't started within one year or when the carport is later removed.
Violations & Fines
Erecting a carport in the front yard setback without an approved Front Yard Carport Permit is unlawful under § 7.5.505.B. A permit that is issued but not acted on lapses automatically if construction has not commenced within one year, and use rights end the moment the carport is removed or destroyed, requiring a new permit application to rebuild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a carport in my front yard in Colorado Springs?
How big can a Colorado Springs front-yard carport be?
What happens if I don't build the carport after getting a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Colorado Springs
How Colorado Springs compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Colorado Springs to another location·View the Colorado accessory structures overview
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