Patio Covers, Pergolas & Decks in Evergreen, CO

Building a Patio Cover, Pergola or Deck in Evergreen: What to Know

Evergreen is unincorporated, so permits come from Jefferson County Building Safety (303-271-8260) through the Jeffco Citizen Portal. The county adopted the 2024 International Codes effective July 1, 2026. Frost depth is 36 inches.

Snow load depends on your elevation. This is the biggest difference from building in Denver. Jefferson County's snow load table rises with elevation: 43 psf ground snow at 6,500 feet and below, 54 psf at 7,000 feet, 67 psf at 7,500 feet and 82 psf at 8,000 feet. Much of Evergreen sits in that range, so we look up your lot's elevation before we size a single beam.

When you need a permit:

• Decks: under the county's deck guide, decks 12 inches or lower don't need a permit, decks over 12 inches and under 30 inches need a Miscellaneous Permit, and decks 30 inches or higher need a Building Permit. A cover over a deck needs a Building Permit at any height.
• Freestanding structures: detached accessory structures of 120 sq ft or less, at least 10 feet from the house and no taller than 14 feet, can be exempt from a building permit. Anything closer to the house needs a Building Permit.
• Patio covers, screen rooms and sunrooms: the county publishes separate "Patio Cover" and "Enclosing Patio" building guides. Expect a permit.

Wildfire rules apply in the WUI overlay. For permits applied for on or after July 1, 2026, properties inside the county's Wildfire (WUI) Overlay District fall under the Wildfire Resiliency Code. Deck surfaces must be noncombustible, low-flame-spread composite, ignition-resistant or fire-retardant-treated, and the first 5 feet around the house must be noncombustible. Check the county's WUI map for your address.

General contractors need a Jefferson County Contractors License. Confirm current requirements with Building Safety before you build.