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Deck / Covered Patio Permit in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Required for construction of decks, covered patios, porches, and similar attached or detached structures in Colorado Springs, except for small exempt decks. Reviewed under the 2021 IRC as adopted via the 2023 PPRBC. Composite decking materials require an evaluation report on-site at inspection.

Verified 2026-07-17 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Decks NOT exceeding 200 sq ft, less than 30 inches above grade at any point within 36 inches horizontally of the walking-surface edge, detached from the dwelling, and not serving the main entry door are EXEMPT from permitting
  • All other decks (attached, larger, higher, or serving the main entry) require a permit — apply as a 'Residential Alteration' project with 'Deck' as the plan type
  • Covered decks/patios require additional submittal information beyond an open deck
  • Site/plot plan required for all deck plans, showing complete address, legal description, property lines/dimensions, and all site improvements; contact the applicable local zoning department (Colorado Springs: 719-385-5982) for zoning-specific requirements
  • Guardrails required where deck height exceeds 30 inches above grade (within 36 inches horizontally of the walking surface): minimum 36-inch guardrail height with maximum 4-inch baluster spacing
  • Handrails installed 34-38 inches above stair nosing, with a graspable profile 1-1/4 to 2 inches in diameter
  • Composite decking materials must have a product evaluation report on-site at time of inspection, installed per the manufacturer's instructions and the evaluation report
  • Structural framing plan required: joist/beam species and sizing, ledger board attachment method (cannot attach to a cantilever, brick veneer, or manufactured home without a Colorado-licensed design professional's stamp), footing/post details; no point loads exceeding 1,500 lbs without engineering
  • A walk-through plan check is available (limited to 15 minutes per discipline) for simple deck projects; larger submittals are checked in at the front counter

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (Table A, if a permit is triggered)PPRBD does not publish a separate flat deck fee; decks exceeding the 200 sq ft / 30-inch exemption thresholds use the standard valuation-based Table A fee structure
Regional Modifier basis, then standard Table A valuation tiers apply
Plan Examination FeePPRBD Appendix B, Table E item G; walk-through plan check for simple decks is limited to 15 minutes per discipline
28% of the Building Permit Fee

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Colorado Springs building department
~0–0 business days

How long did your Deck / Covered Patio Permit permit actually take in Colorado Springs?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Footing

    Before concrete pour for structural post footings — 30-inch minimum frost depth

  2. 2

    Framing

    Structural framing before decking/cover installed

  3. 3

    Final

    Structure complete per approved plans; composite material evaluation report on-site if applicable

See the full Colorado Springs inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • The exemption is narrow and specific: under 200 sq ft AND under 30 inches high (measured within 36 inches horizontally of the walking edge) AND detached from the dwelling AND not serving the main entry — missing any one condition means a permit is required.
  • A deck more than 30 inches above grade needs a minimum 36-inch guardrail with no more than 4-inch gaps between balusters — a common inspection failure point.
  • Ledger boards cannot be attached to a cantilever, brick veneer, or manufactured home without a Colorado-licensed design professional's stamp — plan for engineering costs if your house has any of these conditions.
  • Simple deck plans may qualify for a 15-minute walk-through review at the counter rather than a full submittal cycle.

Frequently asked questions

Not if it's under 200 sq ft, less than 30 inches above grade (measured within 36 inches horizontally of the walking surface edge), detached from the dwelling, and doesn't serve the main entry door. Any deck that doesn't meet all four conditions requires a PPRBD permit.

In Colorado Springs, the published Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (Table A, if a permit is triggered) is: Regional Modifier basis, then standard Table A valuation tiers apply. Additional published fees: Plan Examination Fee — 28% of the Building Permit Fee. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for a deck / covered patio permit in Colorado Springs typically runs 0–0 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with Pikes Peak Regional Building Department at (719) 327-2880.

You'll need: Building Permit Application (PPRBD web account) — 'Residential Alteration' / 'Deck'; Site/Plot Plan; Deck Structural Framing Plan. Depending on your project, Colorado Springs may also ask for: Composite Material Evaluation Report. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Colorado Springs requires 3 inspection(s) for a deck / covered patio permit, in order: Footing, Framing, Final. Schedule each through Pikes Peak Regional Building Department ((719) 327-2880).

Apply through Pikes Peak Regional Building Department at 2880 International Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80910 (Main Office); North Office: 3939 Cordera Crest Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80924. Phone: (719) 327-2880, email: Contact via Email Specific Departments form at pprbd.org/Information/Email. Office hours: Permits & Contractor Licensing: 7:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m.; Plan Review, Floodplain, and Enumeration: by appointment only; Inspectors office hours: 7:30–8:30 a.m.. Official information: https://www.pprbd.org/.

Colorado Springs, Colorado has adopted: 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code (PPRBC), 2nd Printing — the regional code framework adopted by reference by all member jurisdictions including Colorado Springs (City Ordinance 23-16); effective June 30, 2023; 2021 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted by reference via the 2023 PPRBC; 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — adopted by reference via the 2023 PPRBC; 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — adopted by reference via the 2023 PPRBC; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — adopted by reference via the 2023 PPRBC; 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — adopted by reference via the 2023 PPRBC (NOTE: unlike Denver, the Pikes Peak region uses the IPC, not UPC); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — adopted by reference via the 2023 PPRBC; 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with the Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code (CMERSRC) — adopted by reference via the 2023 PPRBC; 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — adopted by reference via the 2023 PPRBC; 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — adopted by reference via the 2023 PPRBC; ASME A17.1-2019 Safety Code for Elevators & Escalators, ASME A17.3-2005 (existing elevators/escalators), ASME A18.1-2017 (vertical platform lifts/stairway chairlifts) — conveyance codes adopted via the 2023 PPRBC; 2017 ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessibility Standard — adopted via the 2023 PPRBC; The International Fire Code and its amendments are adopted separately by the applicable fire authority (not PPRBD) — contact the local fire district directly for fire code / fire plan submittal requirements. Local amendments apply — see the Colorado Springs overview page for the full list.

Decks more than 30 inches above grade (within 36 inches horizontally of the walking surface) require a minimum 36-inch guardrail height with a maximum 4-inch spacing between balusters, per PPRBD's Residential Deck Plan Review guidelines.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-17.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Colorado Springs building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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