Boulder, CO Outdoor Cooking: Outdoor Kitchen Permits (2026)

Boulder's Planning & Development Services handles outdoor kitchen permits at 1739 Broadway. BRC Title 10 adopts the International Residential Code with local amendments — an accessory structure of 200 sq ft or less, one story, and detached typically does not need a building permit for the structural element itself, though zoning siting still applies. Anything over 200 sq ft requires a building permit. Setbacks for accessory structures vary by zone district under BRC Title 9 Chapter 9-7 (each residential zone publishes its own dimensional standards), but 5-foot side and rear setbacks are common for accessory uses. Lot coverage and FAR caps in the underlying zone district apply. Gas line extensions from the main house must follow the International Fuel Gas Code as adopted in BRC Title 10, require a mechanical permit, and must pass a pressure test before being placed in service. Hardwired outlets must be GFCI-protected under NEC 210.8 and require an electrical permit. Sinks must drain to the sanitary sewer; Boulder does not generally permit greywater dispersal on city lots. Outdoor kitchens inside the expanded WUI (effective Aug. 1, 2025, covering ~16,000 homes across three Ignition Resistant Type classifications) must use noncombustible materials within 5 feet of any structure for IRT Class 1 sites and observe noncombustible fence rules within 8 feet of any structure. Lots in HOA-controlled developments such as Heatherwood, Wonderland Hills, and Frasier Meadows may require architectural review on top of city permits.