Do I Need a Permit for a Patio Cover or Pergola in Colorado?
Patio cover and pergola permit requirements. When open-lattice is exempt, when solid-roof needs a permit, and setback rules.
Solid roof covers yes. Open-lattice pergolas may be exempt.
Solid vs. Open
Solid-roof patio covers (those that keep rain off) almost always require a building permit. They are treated as a building addition and count toward lot coverage. Open-lattice pergolas — where slats allow rain through — may be exempt in some cities, but rules vary. When in doubt, call your city.
Attached vs. Detached
Patio covers attached to the house require a ledger connection (similar to a deck), which inspectors scrutinize closely. Detached structures have simpler attachment requirements but still need proper footings and must meet setbacks.
Lot Coverage
Solid-roof patio covers count toward your lot's maximum building coverage (typically 40-50% in residential zones). If your lot is already near the limit, you may not be able to add a patio cover without a variance. Open-lattice pergolas often do not count toward coverage.
Footings
Like decks, patio cover footings must extend below the local frost line — the required depth varies by climate and elevation, so confirm the depth your city requires. Posts must be properly anchored to the footings with approved hardware — not just set in concrete.
Solid-roof = permit required. Open-lattice = maybe exempt. Either way, check setbacks and lot coverage before building.
Permit fees by city in Colorado
Verified from each city’s published fee schedule. Where a city has no separate fee listed for this project, open the city page for the current requirements and amount.
| City | Permit fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Akron | Not a fixed figure — calculated based on construction cost (valuation-based), due at time of application submissionVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Alamosa | $24Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Arvada | $34.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Aspen | Computed via the City's Building Permit Fee Estimator (Excel) referencing the current Municipal Code Fee Ordinance (Title 2)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family/Duplex/Townhouse) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family/Duplex/Townhouse) → |
| Ault | $23.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Aurora | $1.30 per square footVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Avon | $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Structure) | Residential Building Permit (New Structure) → |
| Basalt | $21.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family/Duplex/Townhome) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family/Duplex/Townhome) → |
| Bennett | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Berthoud | Per the 2024 IRC Appendix AB valuation-based fee tableVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Blue River | $50.00Verifiedvia Building Permit — New Construction (Type A Permit) | Building Permit — New Construction (Type A Permit) → |
| Boulder | $25.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Bow Mar | $56Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Breckenridge | $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Brighton | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Broomfield | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family House) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family House) → |
| Burlington | $25Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition) → |
| Calhan | TBD based on project — per the Town of Calhan's own official Fee Schedule (Updated 11/10/25), the 'Building Permit' line item's CURRENT value is stated verbatim as 'TBD based on project'; the printed Building Permit Application form separately has no new-construction line item and directs applicants to contact the Town office for a project-specific determinationVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Cañon City | 1.0% of valuation (City of Cañon City Permit Fee Multiplier)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Construction) → |
| Castle Pines | $42.00Verifiedvia New Residential Building Permit | New Residential Building Permit → |
| Castle Rock | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Centennial | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Center | $0.10 per sq. ft. of floor space to be constructed, $50.00 minimumVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Cheyenne Wells | $25.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit | Residential Building Permit → |
| City of Fountain | $80.00 for the first $2,000 plus $8.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereofVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family/Duplex Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family/Duplex Construction) → |
| Colorado Springs | $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Columbine Valley | $7,600 for the first $1,000,000 plus $5.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, plus inspection feesVerifiedvia Building Permit with Plan Review (New Construction) | Building Permit with Plan Review (New Construction) → |
| Commerce City | $30.41Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / RNEW) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / RNEW) → |
| Conejos County (Unincorporated) | $24Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Cortez | $75.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Craig | $100.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Crested Butte | $28.42Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Cripple Creek | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Dacono | Computed by the Building Official using the ICC Building Safety Journal's Building Valuation Data (BVD), updated bi-annually each August and FebruaryVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Delta | $23.50 for valuation $1.00–$500.00; $23.50 + $3.05 per additional $100 (or fraction) up to $2,000; $69.25 + $14.00 per additional $1,000 (or fraction) up to $25,000; $391.25 + $10.10 per additional $1,000 up to $100,000 (note: fee schedule text repeats this bracket ceiling for the $25,000.01–$50,000 tier); $643.75 + $7.00 per additional $1,000 for $50,000.01–$100,000; $993.75 + $5.60 per additional $1,000 for $100,000.01–$500,000; $3,233.75 + $4.75 per additional $1,000 for $500,000.01–$1,000,000; $5,608.75 + $3.15 per additional $1,000 above $1,000,000Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Denver | $20.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Dillon | $50.00Verifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction / Foundation, Framing, Finish) | Building Permit (New Construction / Foundation, Framing, Finish) → |
| Durango | $24.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence or Duplex) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence or Duplex) → |
| Eagle | $39.40Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Eaton | Per Appendix L, 2018 IRC valuation table (as referenced in the Town's current Fee Schedule)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel / Repair / Basement Finish) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel / Repair / Basement Finish) → |
| Edgewater | $35.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Erie | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Custom Home / Modular Home) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Custom Home / Modular Home) → |
| Estes Park | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Evans | $75.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Primary Structure) | Residential Building Permit (New Primary Structure) → |
| Federal Heights | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Firestone | $80Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Florence | $75.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Fort Collins | $0.65 per square foot of project areaVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Fort Lupton | $24.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Fort Morgan | $27.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence / New House) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence / New House) → |
| Frederick | $35.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Frisco | $65.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Fruita | $35.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Garden City | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions / Structures Over 120 sq ft) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions / Structures Over 120 sq ft) → |
| Gilcrest | $23.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Glenwood Springs | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, 4 or Fewer Units) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, 4 or Fewer Units) → |
| Golden | $25.85Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Grand Junction | $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Greeley | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Gypsum | Not published in any fetchable Town document as of this reviewVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Haxtun | $10.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Holyoke | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Hudson | $35.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Johnstown | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Any New Structure) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Any New Structure) → |
| Julesburg | Not published; determined by Town Hall at time of application per a fee schedule adopted by Town Board resolution (not publicly posted online)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Keenesburg | $33.80Verifiedvia New Residential Home Building Permit | New Residential Home Building Permit → |
| Kersey | Set by SAFEbuilt per the Uniform Building Code (UBC) valuation-based fee schedule (not a flat Town-published table)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions) → |
| La Junta | Calculated from Total Valuation (Materials $ + Labor $) stated on the application; fees payable to the City of La Junta at time of permit issuanceVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| La Salle | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Lafayette | $30.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Two-Family / Multi-Family / Townhome) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Two-Family / Multi-Family / Townhome) → |
| Lakewood | $26.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Lamar | $33.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Larkspur | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction — Single Family Residential Attached/Detached) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction — Single Family Residential Attached/Detached) → |
| Littleton | $25.85Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family, Townhouse, Two-Family Dwelling) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family, Townhouse, Two-Family Dwelling) → |
| Lochbuie | $33.80Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Lone Tree | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Longmont | $27.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Louisville | $28.00 (except as provided in Sec. 15.04.060.14(e) LMC for residential permits)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Loveland | Based on the current ICC Building Valuation Data (square-foot construction cost by occupancy group/construction type) applied to project square footage; e.g., R-3 (one- and two-family, Type VB) valuation is $175.92/sq ft effective March 15, 2026Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Lyons | $135Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Mead | $44.56Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Milliken | $160.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Any New Structure) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Any New Structure) → |
| Montrose | Not resolved — the City's codified Sec. 3-1-1 Fee Schedule PDF (previously hosted at a 2025-effective DocumentCenter link) returns HTTP 404 as of this review, and no Wayback Machine snapshot of that URL exists (checked directly via the CDX API). The Municode-hosted Regulations Manual chapter containing this fee schedule is rendered client-side via JavaScript and did not yield fee-table text through a direct browser-header fetch in this session.Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Morrison | Per the adopted code (2015 IBC valuation-based fee table)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Mount Crested Butte | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Mountain View | $40.00 for total valuation $1.00-$500.00; $40.00 for the first $500.00 plus $2.00 per additional $100.00 (or fraction) from $501.00-$2,000.00; $70.00 for the first $2,000.00 plus $14.00 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $2,001.00-$25,000.00; $391.25 for the first $25,000.00 plus $10.10 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $25,001.00-$50,000.00; $643.75 for the first $50,000.00 plus $7.00 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $50,001.00-$100,000.00; $993.75 for the first $100,000.00 plus $5.60 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $100,001.00-$500,000.00; $3,233.75 for the first $500,000.00 plus $4.75 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $500,001.00-$1,000,000.00; $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000.00 plus $3.65 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) above $1,000,000.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Mountain Village | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Nederland | $250.00 non-refundableVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Northglenn | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Nunn | $75.00 flat Admin Fee (permits requiring plan review), plus 2% Use Tax on all Building PermitsVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Palisade | $10.00 flat feeVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) — Town Planning Clearance + Mesa County Building Permit | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) — Town Planning Clearance + Mesa County Building Permit → |
| Parker | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Pierce | UBC fee schedule + $30 or 30% (whichever is greater)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Platteville | $50.00 zoning-compliance surcharge (residential applications only) is a confirmed flat figure; the underlying valuation-based base fee itself is not a Town-published number — verified-negative: it follows Chapter 18's adopted 2024 IBC fee schedule by reference, not a separately republished Town dollar tableVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Poncha Springs | 20% of the Chaffee County building permit fee, minimum $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family, ADU, Additions) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family, ADU, Additions) → |
| Pueblo | $73.93 per square foot (valuation basis, Table A)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Rifle | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Saguache | $20.00Verifiedvia Building Permit | Building Permit → |
| Salida | 20% of the Chaffee County building permit fee, minimum $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family, ADU, Additions) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family, ADU, Additions) → |
| Sedgwick | $30.00Verifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Alteration, Roof/Siding, Foundation, Relocation) | Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Alteration, Roof/Siding, Foundation, Relocation) → |
| Severance | Valuation-based, determined by SAFEbuilt ColoradoVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Silver Cliff | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Silverthorne | $65.00Verifiedvia New Residential Construction Building Permit (SFR Attached and Detached) | New Residential Construction Building Permit (SFR Attached and Detached) → |
| Springfield | $50.00 flatVerifiedvia Building Permit | Building Permit → |
| Steamboat Springs | $21.15Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Sterling | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Superior | $28.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions) → |
| Telluride | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Thornton | $30.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Timnath | Not published onlineVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Town of Carbondale | $27.50Verifiedvia New Single-Family Dwelling, Duplex, or Townhouse Building Permit | New Single-Family Dwelling, Duplex, or Townhouse Building Permit → |
| Trinidad | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Unincorporated Pueblo County | $73.93 per square foot (valuation basis)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Unincorporated Teller County | See city page for the current Single Family Dwelling (SFD) / New Residential Building Permit fee | Single Family Dwelling (SFD) / New Residential Building Permit → |
| Unincorporated Washington County | $100.00 flat, for all buildings except Use by Special Review (commercial-use) buildingsVerifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Remodel, Accessory Structures) | Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Remodel, Accessory Structures) → |
| Vail | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Victor | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Construction) → |
| Walsh | $15.00Verifiedvia Building Permit (Structures, Carports, Fences, and Other Construction) | Building Permit (Structures, Carports, Fences, and Other Construction) → |
| Wellington | $25 flatVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Westcliffe | $100.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Westminster | $19.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Wheat Ridge | $26.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Windsor | Equal to SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based feeVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Winter Park | $54.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Yuma | $100.00Verifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Alteration, Repair) | Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Alteration, Repair) → |