Fort Collins, CO Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Fort Collins, 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
- Permit-exempt shed max area
- 120 square feet
- Permit-exempt shed max height
- 8 feet
- Minimum setback for exempt shed
- 3 feet from property line
- Flammable liquid limit
- 10 gallons per building
- Applies under
- 2024 IBC/IRC Sec. 105.2/R105.2 as amended
Summary
Fort Collins exempts small storage sheds from a building permit only if the shed is one story, 120 square feet or less, no taller than 8 feet, holds no more than 10 gallons of flammable liquid, and sits at least 3 feet from the property line.
1. One-story, detached, accessory structures used for lawn and garden equipment storage, tool storage and similar uses, including arbors, pergolas, and similar structures, provided that the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet (11 m2) nor greater than 8 feet (2.438 m) in height measured from grade, the structures do not house flammable liquids in quantities exceeding 10 gallons (38 L) per building, and the structures are located at least 3 feet (0.914 m) from an adjoining property line.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 155 | Transitional Land Use Code (for project before May 17, 2024): Supplement 61 | Traffic Code: Supplement 27).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 2 of the adopted 2024 International Building Code, the local list of work exempt from a building permit. Item 1 of that amended list covers one-story, detached, accessory structures used for lawn and garden equipment storage, tool storage and similar uses, including arbors and pergolas: the floor area cannot exceed 120 square feet, the height cannot exceed 8 feet measured from grade, the structure cannot house more than 10 gallons of flammable liquid per building, and it must sit at least 3 feet from an adjoining property line.
2. Exceeding any one of those thresholds, larger floor area, greater height, or a closer setback, pulls the shed out of the exemption and back under the full building permit process administered by the Building Services division, including plan review and inspection under the adopted 2024 IBC or IRC. The code is explicit that an exemption from the permit requirement never authorizes work that otherwise violates the code or other City ordinances, so a shed still has to meet zoning setbacks, lot coverage limits, and any applicable HOA or Land Use Code standard even when no permit is required.
Violations & Fines
Building or enlarging an accessory structure beyond the 120-square-foot, 8-foot, or 3-foot exemption thresholds without first obtaining a building permit is a code violation enforceable by the Building Services division; the code official can issue a stop-work order and require the owner to obtain a permit retroactively, with fees and possible penalties under the City's general building-code enforcement provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard storage shed in Fort Collins?
What happens if my shed is bigger than 120 square feet?
Does a permit-exempt shed still have to meet setback rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Collins
How Fort Collins compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Fort Collins to another location·View the Colorado accessory structures overview
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Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Larimer County handle shed & carport rules.