Do You Need a Permit to Demolish a Shed?

Before you take down an old shed, it's worth one phone call to find out whether you need a permit. The answer is often "no" for a small, unwired shed. But that isn't true everywhere, and it isn't the whole picture even where it is true. This guide shows what real building departments say, explains where the common 200 square foot number comes from, and covers the extra steps people miss: utilities, asbestos, historic review and the HOA.

We quote each rule from the official page we read, with the date where the page has one. Rules change. Treat everything here as a starting point and confirm with your own building department before work starts.

The short answer

Ask yourself four questions about the shed:

1. How big and how tall is it? Measure the floor area and the height. Exemptions where they exist are written in square feet and sometimes feet of height.
2. Does anything run to it? Electrical wiring, a gas line or a water line changes the job, even where the shed itself is exempt.
3. Where is the property? City limits or county, historic district or not, HOA or not.
4. How old is it, and what is it made of? In Colorado, the state asbestos rule for demolition has its own requirements, separate from the city's.

A small plastic or metal kit shed with no utilities, outside a historic district, is the case most likely to need nothing. A large, wired, older wood shed in a historic district is the case most likely to need several sign-offs. Most sheds fall in between.

What real building departments say

Here is what four Colorado jurisdictions, the state asbestos regulator, the federal asbestos rule and the model residential code say about demolishing a detached accessory structure like a shed. Each row reports only what that source says. Don't apply one city's rule to another.

Even these four neighboring Colorado jurisdictions do it four different ways. Denver writes a demolition exemption by size and height. PPRBD's handout says a wrecking permit is required to remove an entire structure. Aurora's brochure says demolition always needs a permit. Fort Collins asks for a permit for each detached structure. If you live in one of these places, these are real starting points. If you live elsewhere, they show why you have to check.

Beyond Colorado: seven big-city examples

Outside Colorado the spread is just as wide. Three cities exempt small sheds from a demolition permit, three require a permit for any structure, and one ties demolition to whether the shed needed a permit to build. Separate air-quality rules on asbestos can still apply even when the city doesn't need a permit.

Notice the trap in the San Diego and Portland rows: the exemption depends on the shed having no sewer, power or gas, or on its size when built. A wired shed or a large one can need a permit even where small sheds don't.

Where the 200 square foot number comes from

Many people have heard that sheds under 200 square feet don't need a permit. That number comes from the International Residential Code (IRC), the model code most US cities adopt for houses, usually with local changes.

Section R105.1 of the 2021 IRC says anyone who intends to "construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure," or to "remove" an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, must first get the required permit. Section R105.2 then lists work exempt from permits. Its first building item is: "Other than storm shelters, one-story detached accessory structures, provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet."

The same section opens with a warning. Exemption from permit requirements "shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction."

Why the building exemption may not cover demolition

Here is the part that is genuinely uncertain. The IRC's exemption names the structure, not the activity. It doesn't say "constructing" a small shed is exempt. It says permits aren't required for the structure. You could read that as covering demolition of a small shed too. But cities handle demolition in their own ways, often in a separate part of their code or a separate permit type, and we found clear examples where the two rules differ:

• Aurora exempts building a shed up to 120 square feet, but its brochure says demolition needs a permit "Always."
• Fort Collins exempts building a shed up to 120 square feet and 8 feet tall, but its demolition guide says a separate demolition permit is required for each detached structure.
• Denver wrote its own demolition exemption with two limits, 200 square feet and 8 feet tall. A shed can meet one limit and fail the other.
• PPRBD exempts building accessory structures up to 200 square feet, while its wrecking handout says a permit is required when an entire structure is removed.

Also, cities don't all use the IRC's 200 square feet. Aurora and Fort Collins use 120 square feet for building a shed. So don't assume the national number, and don't assume the building number applies to demolition. When you call, ask about demolition by name.

Utilities: power, gas and water come first

Many sheds have no utilities at all, which keeps things simple. If yours has a light, an outlet, a heater, a sink or a hose bib fed through the shed, plan for that work before the teardown.

• Electrical. A circuit running to a shed has to be de-energized and properly terminated, not just cut where it enters the wall. Under the model code, removing an electrical system is work that needs a permit. In practice that usually means a licensed electrician. Some cities let an owner-occupant do their own work under a homeowner permit, so ask.
• Gas. A gas line to a shed heater must be shut off and capped by someone qualified. For permitted demolitions, PPRBD asks for proof of gas and electric cutoff from the utility. Denver points applicants to Xcel Energy's demolition application for gas and electric.
• Water and sewer. Denver's demolition page directs people to Denver Water for water service and requires a sewer cutoff record. Denver also requires utilities to be shut off, cut off, capped or otherwise controlled before demolition. A shed with only a hose running to it is a different case from a plumbed potting shed, but tell your building department either way.

If you plan to remove posts, piers or a buried line along with the shed, that is digging. Colorado 811 says you must contact it "at least three business days before you dig," and the service is free. Other states have their own 811 centers. Our shed foundation removal guide covers slabs, piers and gravel pads.

Asbestos: what applies to a residential shed

Asbestos is where people most often over- or under-state the rules. Here is what the sources actually say.

The federal rule usually doesn't reach a homeowner's shed

The EPA's asbestos NESHAP sets inspection, notice and work practice rules for demolitions. EPA says it applies to facilities "excluding residential buildings that have four or fewer dwelling units." EPA also says homes demolished as part of a larger commercial or public project, like a highway or shopping center, are not exempt. For a homeowner taking down a backyard shed, the federal rule is generally not the one that governs. State and local rules can be stricter, and Colorado's is.

Colorado's Regulation 8 has no size exemption in its text

Colorado's asbestos rules are in Air Quality Control Commission Regulation 8, Part B, run by CDPHE. Its demolition requirements are broad:

• Definition of facility. The regulation defines "facility" to include "any institutional, commercial, public, industrial, or residential structure, installation, or building." We found no minimum size and no mention of sheds or accessory structures in the definitions.
• Definition of demolition. Demolition is "the wrecking or removal of any load-supporting structural member of a facility," plus handling the debris, burning it, or moving it off a permanent foundation.
• Inspection. CDPHE says the building or area to be demolished must be inspected by a Colorado-certified asbestos inspector. Buildings built after October 12, 1988 can be exempt from the inspection only if an architect, engineer or certified inspector completes the state's form saying no asbestos was used. CDPHE still recommends an inspection regardless of age.
• Notice and wait. "A Demolition Notification Application Form must be submitted to the division, even if no asbestos was found," with a 10-working-day notification period. No demolition may start without the state's approval notice.
• Fee. $50 base plus $5 per 1,000 square feet of footprint, or any portion of it.
• Removal triggers for homes. For single-family residential dwellings, regulated asbestos must be removed before demolition if it exceeds 50 linear feet on pipes, 32 square feet on other surfaces, or the volume of a 55-gallon drum.

Colorado building departments build this into their own process. Denver lists CDPHE approval among the documents for a demolition permit. PPRBD requires a CDPHE permit for a wrecking permit. Fort Collins requires a State Demolition Approval Notice for complete demolition.

What we could not confirm

Two things are uncertain, and we'd rather say so than guess:

• Whether a detached shed counts as part of a "single-family residential dwelling." The regulation defines that term as a structure "whose primary use is for housing of a family." A garden shed isn't housing, and the text doesn't say how detached accessory structures are classified. That affects which trigger levels and fees apply.
• Whether CDPHE expects a notice for a very small shed that a city exempts from its own permit. Denver's size exemption is a city building code rule. It doesn't mention the state rule, and the state rule's text has no size exemption.

If you're in Colorado, email CDPHE at cdphe.asbestos@state.co.us with the shed's size, age, materials and photos, and ask what applies. Keep the reply. Outside Colorado, ask your state's air quality or environmental agency whether residential accessory structures are covered.

Older sheds can hide other problems too, from lead paint to rodent droppings to old chemicals left inside. See old shed hazards before you start pulling panels.

Historic districts

If your home is a designated landmark or in a historic district, demolishing even a small outbuilding can need preservation review.

• Denver reviews demolition of all primary structures for landmark potential. For accessory structures, landmark demolition approval is required only if the structure is in a historic district, on the site of an individual landmark, or 1.5 stories tall or taller. Denver says that if staff find a building has landmark potential, demolition can be delayed by several months or prevented.
• Fort Collins says owners of designated landmarks and properties in its landmark districts "must complete landmark design review for most exterior projects."

If you aren't sure whether your property is designated, your city's planning or historic preservation office can tell you. Denver publishes a historic landmarks and districts map.

HOA approval

A homeowners association doesn't issue building permits, and a city permit doesn't override HOA rules. Many covenants require approval for exterior changes. That can include removing a structure, or what you put in its place. Read your covenants or ask the management company before booking the work, and get any approval in writing.

How to check your own address

1. Find out who has jurisdiction. If you live inside city limits, it's usually the city building department. Outside city limits, it's usually the county. Some regions share one department. PPRBD, for example, serves Colorado Springs, El Paso County and several nearby towns.
2. Find the demolition page, not just the shed page. Search your city's site for "demolition permit" and "work exempt from permit." Read both. If the shed page only talks about building a shed, it doesn't answer your question.
3. Measure the shed. Get the floor area and the height before you call. Denver's exemption, for example, depends on both.
4. Call and ask four specific questions. "I want to demolish a detached shed, about [size] square feet and [height] feet tall, [with / with no] electrical, gas or water. Do I need a demolition permit? Do I need a separate permit for the utilities? Is my property in a historic district? Does the state require an asbestos inspection or notice?"
5. Check the state asbestos rule. In Colorado, that's CDPHE. Elsewhere, ask the building department which state agency handles asbestos for demolition.
6. Check your HOA covenants if you have an HOA.
7. Write down the answer. Note the name of the person you spoke with, the date and what they said. If the answer is "no permit needed," ask whether they can confirm it by email.

We collect the published rules for cities we serve on our service area pages, starting with Denver and Colorado. Where we can't confirm a rule, we say so.

What happens if you skip a required permit

The building department can stop the work, and your city may charge penalties. A shed removed without a required permit can also come up later, for example in a home sale, if records still show a structure that is no longer there. In Colorado, starting a covered demolition without the state approval notice is a separate issue from the city permit.

Once you know the rules

If it turns out no permit is needed, you can choose between doing it yourself and hiring it out. Our teardown guide walks through the job step by step, and the disposal and recycling guide covers where the debris can go. If the shed is still sound, consider selling or giving it away or moving it instead. For budgets, see shed removal cost and our pricing page.

What this page is not

This page is not legal advice and it is not a code reference. We quote official pages as we found them in October 2026. Cities update codes, fees and handouts, and the Aurora brochure we cite dates from 2019. Only your building department, and in Colorado CDPHE, can answer for your address.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to tear down a shed?

It depends on your city and the shed. Denver exempts demolition of structures of 200 square feet or less and 8 feet tall or less. Aurora's homeowner brochure lists demolition as always needing a permit. Call your building department with the shed's size and height before you start.

If my shed didn't need a permit to build, does it need one to remove?

Not necessarily the same answer. Aurora lets you build a shed up to 120 square feet without a building permit but lists demolition as always needing a permit. Fort Collins says a separate demolition permit is required for each residential building or detached structure. Ask about demolition specifically.

How much is a shed demolition permit?

Fort Collins lists a $65 building permit fee in its residential demolition guide. In Colorado, the state's demolition notice is $50 plus $5 per 1,000 square feet of footprint, separate from any city fee. Denver shows its fee in its online permit system.

Do I need an asbestos inspection to demolish a shed?

In Colorado, the state rule requires an asbestos inspection and a demolition notice before demolishing a facility, and it has no size exemption in its text. Whether a small backyard shed falls under that rule is something to confirm with CDPHE. Outside Colorado, check your state's air quality agency.

Does the electricity need to be disconnected before shed demolition?

Yes. Any circuit to the shed has to be dead and made safe before the walls come down. Removing wiring is electrical work, and the model residential code lists removing an electrical system as work that needs a permit. A licensed electrician can tell you what your city requires.

Can my HOA stop me from removing a shed?

An HOA can't issue or waive a city permit, but its covenants may require approval for exterior changes. Read your covenants or ask the management company before you book the work.

Sources

• City and County of Denver: Demolition permits
• Pikes Peak Regional Building Department: Wrecking permit requirements (handout dated 02/21/24)
• Pikes Peak Regional Building Department: Work exempt from permits
• Pikes Peak Regional Building Department: Homeowner permit information
• City of Aurora, CO: Do-it-yourself and do-it-right homeowner brochure (March 2019)
• City of Fort Collins: Residential demolition submittal guide (revised 6/2/2023)
• City of Fort Collins: Building permits
• City of Fort Collins: Historic preservation
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Asbestos support and guidance
• Colorado Regulation 8, Part B, Section I (5 CCR 1001-10-B-I): definitions, via Cornell LII
• Colorado Regulation 8, Part B, Section III (5 CCR 1001-10-B-III): abatement, renovation and demolition, via Cornell LII
• US EPA: Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
• UpCodes: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 1, Section R105 (Colorado viewer)
• Colorado 811
• City of San Diego Municipal Code, Chapter 12, Article 9, Division 5 (demolition permits)
• City of San Diego Municipal Code, Chapter 12, Article 9, Division 2 (exempt work)
• City of San Diego: Information Bulletin 710, demolition/removal permits
• Seattle SDCI: Demolition permit - building
• Puget Sound Clean Air Agency: Homeowner demolition
• Portland Permitting & Development: Demolition administrative rule ENB-25.01
• Portland Permitting & Development: Do you need a permit? Residential permits
• Portland City Code 24.55.200: demolition delay
• Oregon DEQ: Asbestos for homeowners
• City of Phoenix: Demolition permit external process (TRT/DOC/00442)
• City of Phoenix: PDD fee schedule (effective 1/20/2026)
• City of Chicago: Demolition (wrecking) permits
• City of Chicago: Work that does not require a building permit
• Mecklenburg County: Demolition, move-off and move-on permits
• Mecklenburg County: LUESA fee ordinance (revised July 1, 2026)
• LADBS: Information Bulletin P/BC 2026-039, Demolition of buildings