Do I Need a Permit to Build a Deck in Denver, CO?

Interactive check

Check your deck details

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Fees

Estimated city fees

Baseline for a simple permitted deck: $200–$600 estimated city fees for a permitted residential deck (varies by construction valuation)

Fee	Amount	Notes
Building permit fee	$200–$600 (estimated, based on construction valuation)	Denver Community Planning & Development (CPD) calculates permit fees using a valuation-based sliding scale. Verify the current rate on the official Denver fee schedule at denvergov.org/cpd before submitting.
Plan review fee	65% of the building permit fee (estimated)	Denver assesses a plan review fee equal to approximately 65% of the building permit fee for projects requiring plan check. Simple or small decks eligible for over-the-counter review may have a reduced or same-visit plan review charge.
Inspection fee	Included	Required inspections (footing/foundation, framing, final) are covered under the permit. Re-inspection fees apply if work fails or is not ready.

Documents

Required documents

Completed building permit application submitted through Denver's online permit portal (permits.denvergov.org).
Site plan drawn to scale showing property lines, setbacks, easements, existing structures, and the proposed deck location and dimensions.
Construction drawings including plan view, elevations, framing layout, footing sizes, and overall dimensions.
Structural details for footings, posts, beams, joists, connectors, guardrails, and stair configuration where applicable.
Ledger attachment detail and flashing specifications if the deck is attached to the dwelling.
Property survey or plot plan if the deck is near a setback line, easement, or utility corridor.
Owner authorization or contractor license documentation if a contractor applies on the owner's behalf.
Any required HOA approval documentation per your subdivision restrictions.

Timeline

Typical timing

Plan review: 10–15 business days (standard); over-the-counter same-day review available for eligible simple projects
Total cycle: 4–8 weeks from application to final inspection

Seasonal workload, resubmittals for plan corrections, and inspection scheduling can push the timeline toward the high end. Expedited review may be available for an additional fee on eligible projects.

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Process

How the permit process works

Determine whether your deck requires a permit Check whether the deck is attached to the house, or whether it exceeds 30 inches above grade at any point or 200 square feet as a freestanding structure. If any condition applies, a building permit is required through Denver Community Planning & Development (CPD).
Prepare plans and supporting documents Draw up a site plan and construction drawings showing footings, posts, beam sizes, joist spacing, decking layout, guardrail details, and stair layout if applicable. Denver plan reviewers reference the 2021 IRC with local amendments, so standard IRC-compliant structural details are accepted.
Submit through Denver's online permit portal Create or log in to an account at permits.denvergov.org, select the appropriate residential building permit type, upload your documents, and submit. Simple deck projects may be eligible for over-the-counter (OTC) review, which can be requested at the time of submission.
Respond to plan review comments Denver CPD reviewers evaluate the submittal against the 2021 IRC and local amendments. If corrections are requested, update the drawings and resubmit through the portal. OTC projects are reviewed while you wait at the Wellington Webb Building permit counter.
Receive approval and pay remaining fees Once the permit is approved and all fees are paid in full, print or save the issued permit. Keep the permit card or approval document accessible at the job site during all phases of construction.
Schedule required inspections Request inspections through permits.denvergov.org or by calling the Denver CPD inspection line as construction progresses. A typical deck requires a footing or foundation inspection before pouring concrete, a framing inspection before covering structural members, and a final inspection.
Pass final inspection and close out the permit After the inspector signs off on the final inspection, the permit is closed and the completed deck becomes part of the official city record. This protects you during home sales, insurance claims, and future permitting.

Code basis

What Denver reviews against

2021 International Residential Code (IRC) as adopted by the City and County of Denver with local amendments under the Denver Building and Fire Code, Denver Revised Municipal Code Chapter 10.

Residential permit page Denver permit portal

If you skip the permit

What can go wrong

Denver CPD can issue a stop-work order if unpermitted construction is discovered.
The city may require the deck to be removed or structurally opened for inspection at the owner's expense.
Administrative penalties and daily fines can accrue under the Denver Revised Municipal Code until the violation is resolved.
Homeowner's insurance may deny claims for damage caused by or related to unpermitted structures.
Unpermitted work flagged during a home sale can delay or derail a transaction, and retroactive permitting is more expensive and disruptive than doing it upfront.
Unpermitted decks may create liability exposure if a guest is injured on a structure not inspected for code compliance.

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