Do I Need a Permit for My Deck? Your Colorado Guide
The most common question we get from homeowners who've tried to DIY a deck before: 'Do I need a permit?' The short answer: almost certainly yes. The more useful answer is that permit requirements in the South Denver metro area depend on your specific municipality — and getting this wrong can lead to a forced tear-down.
General Rule: Above 30 Inches = Permit Required
Across most Colorado jurisdictions, a deck that is 30 inches or more above grade (ground level) requires a building permit. Even ground-level decks often require a permit if they exceed 200 square feet or are attached to the house. Detached, ground-level platforms under 200 sq ft are sometimes exempt — but this varies city by city.
City-by-City Breakdown for South Denver
| City / County | Permit Threshold | Typical Turnaround | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver (City) | Any attached deck or >200 sq ft | 3–6 weeks | Online portal available |
| Highlands Ranch (Douglas Co.) | >30" above grade or >120 sq ft | 2–4 weeks | HOA approval also required |
| Littleton | Any deck >30" or attached | 2–5 weeks | Fee based on project value |
| Englewood | >30" above grade | 3–5 weeks | Requires stamped drawings |
| Centennial | Any deck >30" or >200 sq ft | 4–8 weeks | Arapahoe County jurisdiction |
| Parker | Any attached deck | 3–6 weeks | Douglas County rules apply |
What Happens If You Skip the Permit?
Unpermitted decks create real problems. When you sell your home, the buyer's inspector will flag it — and you'll be required to either pull the permit retroactively (which means opening up the deck for inspection) or tear it down. Title companies and mortgage lenders take unpermitted structures seriously.
There's also liability exposure: if someone is injured on an unpermitted deck, your homeowner's insurance may deny the claim on the grounds that the structure was built out of code.
AGC Handles Every Permit
We manage the full permit process on every job — application, fee payment, scheduling inspections, and final sign-off. You never deal with the city. It's included in our project price.
HOA Approval: A Separate Step
In Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker, and many Centennial communities, you'll also need HOA approval before any permit is issued. We provide all documentation your HOA requires: site plan, elevation drawings, material specifications, and color swatches. We've navigated hundreds of HOA approval processes and know exactly what each association needs to see.
AGC Editorial Team
15+ years of deck building experience in South Denver