Tiny home rules in Boulder, CO — covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds — determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Boulder regulates tiny homes differently based on whether they are on a permanent foundation or on wheels. Zoning and minimum square footage requirements apply.
Boulder classifies tiny homes based on construction type. Foundation-built tiny homes are treated as standard dwellings and must meet local building codes including minimum square footage (often 400 to 800 sq ft). Tiny homes on wheels (THOW) are typically classified as RVs or mobile homes with different zoning restrictions. Appendix Q of the IRC provides building standards for tiny houses under 400 sq ft. ADU ordinances may provide a pathway for tiny homes as secondary dwellings. Utility connections, septic/sewer, and foundation requirements apply. Some jurisdictions have created specific tiny home zoning districts or overlay zones.
Unpermitted dwellings: removal or retroactive permitting. Zoning violations: fines and required relocation. Occupancy without certificate: prohibited.
Boulder, CO
Boulder imposes no general restriction on year-round lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private residential property. The Sign Code in BRC 9-...
Boulder, CO
Boulder has no ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, motor noise, and lighting hours are not capped by the city fo...
Boulder, CO
Boulder explicitly carves out holiday and seasonal displays from its Outdoor Lighting Ordinance. BRC 9-9-16 (Light Output) restricts lamps and bulbs visible ...
Boulder, CO
An outdoor kitchen in Boulder typically requires a building permit when it exceeds 200 sq ft, includes a roof or pergola, or is attached to the house. Gas li...
Boulder, CO
Boulder has no smoker-specific ordinance; offset, pellet, kamado, and wood-fired smokers fall under the general IFC 308 framework adopted in BRC 10-8-2 plus ...
Boulder, CO
Boulder adopts the International Fire Code under Boulder Revised Code Title 10 Chapter 8 (Fire Code). IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits charcoal burners, gas gri...
See how Boulder's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.