Do You Need a Permit for a Patio Cover, Pergola or Deck in the Denver Metro? (2026 Guide)
City-by-city comparison
| City | Attached patio cover | Freestanding pergola | Deck | Snow load used | Code / portal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | Zoning + building permit | Listed as needing zoning + building permits | Zoning permit at 12"+ above grade; building permit at 30"+ | 43 psf ground (2025 DBC) | 2025 Denver Building Code (2024 I-codes) · e-permits |
| Aurora | Permit; zoning approval on every project | Exempt only if detached and 120 sq ft or less | Exempt only if ≤200 sq ft, ≤30", detached, not serving the exit door | 40 psf ground | 2021 IRC · Aurora4Biz |
| Lakewood | Permit at any size | Exempt if detached and 200 sq ft or less | Exempt only if ≤200 sq ft, ≤30", detached, not serving the exit door | 30 psf ground (non-reducible); higher wind design west of Kipling | 2021 I-codes · eTRAKiT |
| Englewood | Permit; zoning approval on every project | "Minor structures" ≤200 sq ft: no building permit, but zoning site plan review | No building permit if <200 sq ft, ≤30", detached, not serving an exit door; zoning still applies | 30 psf ground / 30 psf roof | 2024 I-codes (after May 31, 2026) · online permit system |
| Wheat Ridge | Permit (porch covers; awnings over 54") | Not specifically listed. Ask the city before you build | On the permit-required list | 35 psf | 2024 I-codes (from Jan 1, 2026) · OpenGov |
Summarized from each city's published building guides and adopted-code pages as of September 2026. Rules change, and your lot, zoning district or HOA may add requirements. Confirm with the city or ask us before you build.
Why snow load matters more than most people think
Snow load is the weight of snow a structure has to carry. It is the most common reason a patio cover gets redesigned in plan review. Front Range cities don't all use the same number. Denver's 2025 code raised its prescriptive ground snow load to 43 psf. Aurora uses 40 psf, Wheat Ridge 35 psf, and Lakewood and Englewood 30 psf. Many kit covers and out-of-state spec sheets are engineered for much lighter loads. Always ask your contractor which snow load the design was engineered for.
Setbacks: how close to the property line you can build
Aurora and Englewood both say no part of a patio cover may be closer than 2 feet to the property line. Anything within 5 feet needs fire-rated construction. On small lots, this often decides how big the cover can be. Lakewood's accessory-structure rules also cap total accessory coverage and set side and rear setbacks by zone district. Check setbacks before you pick a size.
Screen rooms and enclosed patios
Enclosing a patio cover changes what the city treats it as. Denver and Aurora both allow non-heated, non-habitable enclosures that stay mostly open or glazed. In Denver, the walls and windows must be at least 65% glass. In Aurora, the longer wall plus one other wall must be at least 65% open or glazed. These enclosures don't need the full foundation and insulation a room addition does. If you plan to heat the space or use it as living area, it becomes a room addition with much stricter requirements.
Can my HOA say no to a pergola or patio cover?
Your HOA can usually set reasonable rules on size, placement, color and materials, so plan on submitting drawings to its architectural committee. Colorado law does limit how far an HOA can go. Under C.R.S. 38-33.3-106.7, an HOA may not effectively prohibit certain energy-efficiency measures. The statute lists "an awning, shutter, trellis, ramada, or other shade structure that is marketed for the purpose of reducing energy consumption." HOAs can still impose reasonable aesthetic and safety rules. This is general information, not legal advice. Read your HOA's declaration and design guidelines.
What Colorado Outdoor Builders handles
- Site plans, elevations and structural drawings designed to your city's current snow and wind loads
- Permit submittal through each city's portal, plus responses to plan review comments
- HOA architectural review packages
- Scheduling and passing inspections
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a pergola in Denver?
Yes. Denver lists pergolas with patio covers and porches as needing both a zoning permit and a building permit.
What size pergola can I build without a permit in Aurora?
Aurora exempts only detached shade structures of 120 sq ft or less. An attached pergola, or a freestanding one over 120 sq ft, needs a permit.
What size pergola can I build without a permit in Lakewood?
A freestanding pergola of 200 sq ft or less is exempt in Lakewood. Attached pergolas are permitted under the city's "Deck, Pergola or Ramp" permit type.
Do I need a permit for a deck that's low to the ground?
Usually, unless it meets every exemption condition. In Aurora, Lakewood and Englewood, a deck is exempt from a building permit only if it is 200 sq ft or less, no more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the house and not serving the required exit door. Denver requires a zoning permit once a deck is 12 inches or more above grade.
Who pulls the permit, me or the contractor?
We do. We prepare the drawings, submit them, answer plan review comments and schedule inspections.