Bolthole Index

Garfield County, Colorado

Building permits, zoning and septic in Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Glenwood Springs, Colorado requires city building permits for new residential construction and for alteration, repair, movement or demolition of buildings, with exceptions for work that does not change structure or layout.1 Glenwood Springs sets its own zoning inside city limits; onsite septic systems in Garfield County go through Garfield County Public Health rather than the city building counter.23

At a glance

Building permits
City building-permit system; nonstructural work may be exempt1
Zoning
City zoning; standards depend on the district24
Septic permits
Garfield County Public Health; application and site evaluation required5
Accessory dwellings
Living or sleeping in an accessory structure requires ADU approval6
Lot size and setbacks
District-specific; identify the city zoning district first47
Residential code
2021 International Residential Code, with city amendments8

Who to call

Building permits

Glenwood Springs Building Department

City building permits and inspection scheduling

970-384-6450

building@cogs.us

101 W. 8th Street Second Floor Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

Online permits →

Zoning

Glenwood Springs Planning Department

City zoning verification and land-use applications

970-384-6450

101 West 8th Street Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

Online permits →

Septic permits

Garfield County Public Health, Environmental Health Division

Onsite wastewater treatment system applications in Garfield County, including Glenwood Springs

970-625-5200, ext. 8150

2014 Blake Ave. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Glenwood Springs means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Glenwood Springs, CO?

Glenwood Springs processes new residential construction through its city building-permit system and requires a building permit for alteration, repair, movement or demolition of a building or structure inside city limits.1 Work that does not alter the structure or layout generally does not require a building permit; ask the city Building Department to classify the proposed work before relying on that exception.1 For covered homes and townhouses, Glenwood Springs has adopted the 2021 International Residential Code with municipal amendments, so a permit application must address the city code rather than Garfield County’s residential code.8

Who handles Glenwood Springs building permits and inspections?

The Glenwood Springs Building Department is the city contact for building applications at 970-384-6450 or building@cogs.us.9 Submit the application through the city’s online customer portal; the Building Department no longer accepts paper applications or applications submitted by email.109 The city lists an inspection line at 970-384-6432.9 Before setting a construction schedule, ask the Building Department which inspections the project needs, when to request them, and what approval is needed before occupancy; we could not confirm a complete city inspection sequence or general certificate-of-occupancy rule.9

Does Glenwood Springs have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Glenwood Springs has city zoning that regulates how land inside city limits is used and developed.2 Glenwood Springs zoning districts include permitted and special-review uses, plus standards for lot size, height, coverage and setbacks; the parcel’s district determines which standards to use.471112 Ask city Planning for zoning verification and a review of the proposed use before designing a house footprint.13 Glenwood Springs Planning processes land-use applications under the city Development Code and warns that the linked code may omit more recently adopted ordinances, so ask Planning about amendments affecting the parcel.13

How do septic permits work inside Glenwood Springs?

For a Glenwood Springs property using an onsite wastewater treatment system, Garfield County Public Health’s Environmental Health Division handles OWTS permitting.3 Installing, repairing or altering a system requires an application accompanied by a completed site and soil evaluation, system design and site plan.5 The published septic permit fees are $600 for a new installation or major repair, $200 for a minor repair involving a new tank only or for an alteration, and $75 for vault-and-haul.5 Ask Environmental Health about the parcel’s eligibility for onsite treatment before commissioning the design; the county’s rules restrict issuing an OWTS permit where municipal or district sewer service is provided, subject to infeasibility or other authorization.14

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Glenwood Springs?

We could not confirm a general rule allowing residential RV occupancy on private land in Glenwood Springs, or a city minimum dwelling-size figure; ask city Planning to review the exact parcel and proposed living arrangement before buying an RV or tiny home.13 Glenwood Springs does have an accessory-dwelling approval route: an accessory structure in a residential zoning district cannot be used for living or sleeping unless approved as an ADU meeting the city standards.6 An ADU approval route does not establish permission to occupy an RV; ask Planning separately about a wheeled home, a permanent dwelling and temporary occupancy during construction.613

Building a home in Glenwood Springs: what are the steps?

Use this order to resolve the city land-use questions before preparing a building application.210

  1. Ask Glenwood Springs Planning to verify the zoning district, proposed residential use and applicable dimensional standards.1347
  2. Confirm water and sewer availability with the city; if onsite treatment is proposed, ask Garfield County Environmental Health about OWTS eligibility and the required site evaluation and design.514
  3. Prepare the city’s residential application documents, including architectural, civil, construction-management, drainage, landscape and irrigation, mechanical/electrical/plumbing, site, soils/geotechnical, structural and survey plans.10
  4. Submit through the online customer portal and ask the Building Department about project fees, inspection scheduling and occupancy approval.109

What stays with Garfield County, and what should buyers check?

Glenwood Springs handles city zoning and building permits, while Garfield County Public Health handles onsite septic systems serving city property where onsite treatment is used.213 For land outside Glenwood Springs city limits, use the Garfield County guide: the county’s zoning code applies to unincorporated land.15 Before buying inside the city, ask Planning about floodplain constraints, driveway access and any proposed land division, and ask the Building Department about owner-builder requirements; we could not confirm the city-specific rules for those questions.139 Keep those questions tied to the city parcel rather than assuming county exemptions apply inside Glenwood Springs.152

Watch-outs

  • Glenwood Springs accessory structures are not sleeping quarters unless approved as compliant accessory dwelling units.6
  • A Glenwood Springs building application requires the complete listed document set before submission, including soils/geotechnical and drainage plans.10
  • We could not confirm Glenwood Springs residential RV occupancy or off-grid sanitation permissions; ask city Planning and Garfield County Environmental Health before committing to that plan.1316

Sources

  1. Building Permits (Glenwood Springs), quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning (Glenwood Springs), quoted and re-checked
  3. Onsite wastewater treatment systems (Glenwood Springs), quoted and re-checked
  4. Zoning (Glenwood Springs), quoted and re-checked
  5. Onsite wastewater treatment systems (Glenwood Springs), quoted and re-checked
  6. All Other Terms Defined (Glenwood Springs), quoted and re-checked
  7. Zoning (Glenwood Springs), quoted and re-checked
  8. International Residential Code Adopted; Penalty for Violation (Glenwood Springs), quoted and re-checked
  9. Glenwood Springs Building Department (cogs.us)
  10. Building Permits (Glenwood Springs), quoted and re-checked
  11. Zoning (Glenwood Springs), quoted and re-checked
  12. Zoning (Glenwood Springs), quoted and re-checked
  13. Glenwood Springs Planning Department (cogs.us)
  14. garfieldcountyco.gov, quoted and re-checked
  15. Complete Land Use and Development Code, quoted and re-checked
  16. Garfield County Public Health, Environmental Health Division (garfieldcountyco.gov)

Written October 10, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Alteration, repair, movement, or demolition of any building or structure inside Glenwood Springs city limits; new residential construction is processed through the city building-permit system.

    • Work that does not alter the structure or layout generally does not require a permit.
    • The city directs applicants to its online customer portal.
    “The Alteration, repair, movement, or demolition of any building or structure inside City limits requires a building permit.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Alteration, repair, movement, or demolition of any building or structure inside city limits.
      “The Alteration, repair, movement, or demolition of any building or structure inside City limits requires a building permit.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Homeowners performing work at their primary residence inside Glenwood Springs.

    • This exemption is from the City contractor-license requirement; the cited page does not exempt the work from required building permits.
    “Homeowners performing work at their primary residence do not need a contractor's license”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories in Glenwood Springs.

    • The 2021 International Residential Code is adopted except as amended in the municipal code.
    • The adopted appendices include AE, AF, AG, AH, AJ, AM, AQ, and AT.
    • The more restrictive provision governs conflicts with other municipal code provisions.

    IRC edition: 2021 (except as amended in the municipal code)

    “For purposes of regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, conversion, demolition, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance of detached one- and two- family dwellings, and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three (3) stories in height in the City of Glenwood Springs, the International Residential Code, 2021 edition, published by the International Code Council, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, Illinois 60478-5795, is hereby adopted except as it is amended in this article.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories in Glenwood Springs.
      “For purposes of regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, conversion, demolition, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance of detached one- and two- family dwellings, and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three (3) stories in height in the City of Glenwood Springs, the International Residential Code, 2021 edition, published by the International Code Council, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, Illinois 60478-5795, is hereby adopted except as it is amended in this article.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    New and renewal short-term-rental permit applications inside Glenwood Springs.

    • Inspection must be scheduled through the Building Department inspection line.
    “Building inspections are required on all new permit applications as well as all renewals.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    A dwelling applying for a short-term-rental permit inside Glenwood Springs.

    • A newly constructed home cannot apply for a short-term-rental permit until a certificate of occupancy is issued.
    “At time of application, applicant shall show that the property or unit which is subject of application has a Certificate of Occupancy.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Glenwood Springs city limits.

    • Use-specific standards apply unless otherwise noted.
    “Use-specific standards shall apply to all zoning districts unless otherwise noted.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — Land inside Glenwood Springs city limits.
      “Zoning is the division of the city into districts for the purpose of regulating how land is used and developed. Zoning is the primary tool that the City uses to implement the Comprehensive Plan.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Zoning districts inside Glenwood Springs.

    • The opened code confirms zoning districts but the complete district list and table were not available in the opened material.
    “Use-specific standards shall apply to all zoning districts unless otherwise noted.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Minimum lot size in Glenwood Springs zoning districts, including RR Rural Residential, RL Residential Low Density, RM1, RM2, RH, and RT districts.

    • The applicable district must be determined from the city zoning map.
    • The city directs users to Articles 070.020 and 070.030 for specific standards.
    “Each district includes a list of permitted and special review uses, as well as standards for lot sizes, building height, lot coverage and building setback.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Building setbacks in Glenwood Springs zoning districts.

    • The applicable district must be determined from the city zoning map.
    • Specific standards are in Articles 070.020 and 070.030.
    “Each district includes a list of permitted and special review uses, as well as standards for lot sizes, building height, lot coverage and building setback.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lot coverage in Glenwood Springs zoning districts.

    • The applicable district must be determined from the city zoning map.
    • Specific standards are in Articles 070.020 and 070.030.
    “Each district includes a list of permitted and special review uses, as well as standards for lot sizes, building height, lot coverage and building setback.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Building height in Glenwood Springs zoning districts.

    • The applicable district must be determined from the city zoning map.
    • Specific standards are in Articles 070.020 and 070.030.
    “Each district includes a list of permitted and special review uses, as well as standards for lot sizes, building height, lot coverage and building setback.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured housing used as dwellings inside Glenwood Springs.

    • The City adopted IRC Appendix AE, Manufactured Housing Used As Dwellings.
    • The cited provision does not establish zoning-district placement or use authorization.
    “Appendix AE Manufactured Housing Used As Dwellings Appendix AF Radon Control Methods Appendix AG Piping Standards for Various Applications”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units inside Glenwood Springs.

    • The City Building Department administers accessory dwelling unit permits.
    • The detailed standards in 070.030.040(d)(1) were not available in the provided code excerpts.
    “Accessory Dwelling Units and Vacation Rental Permits”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — Accessory dwelling units inside Glenwood Springs city limits.
      “Unless approved as an accessory dwelling unit that meets the standards of Subsection 070.030.040 (d)(1), Accessory Dwelling Units, such structure shall not be used for living or sleeping quarters in a residential zoning district.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Onsite water treatment systems inside Glenwood Springs, for which the City directs applicants to Garfield County permitting.

    • A City grading permit is also required for installing or replacing onsite water treatment systems on private property.
    “Garfield County Permitting required for onsite water treatment systems”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Onsite water treatment systems inside Glenwood Springs.

    • Garfield County permitting is required.
    • On private property, the City also requires a grading permit for installation or replacement.
    “Garfield County Permitting required for onsite water treatment systems”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveway modifications inside Glenwood Springs.

    • A grading permit is required for modification over 200 square feet or moving more than 50 cubic yards of dirt.
    • A right-of-way obstruction permit is required for work involving a public street or sidewalk closure.

    driveway modification area: > 200 square feet (Grading permit required.) · dirt moved: > 50 cubic yards (Grading permit required.)

    “Grading Permit required for modification more than 200 square feet or if more than 50 cubic yards of dirt is being moved”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals inside Glenwood Springs.

    • Citywide permits are capped at 5% of free-market housing units.
    • General Improvement District permits are capped at 15% of free-market units within the district.
    • Short-term rental permits must be at least 250 feet apart, except GID properties.
    • ADUs cannot be rented for stays shorter than 30 consecutive days.

    citywide permit cap: 5 percent (City free-market housing units.) · minimum distance between rental properties: >= 250 feet (Properties within the General Improvement District are exempt.)

    “The City of Glenwood Springs has capped the number of available Short-Term Rental permits citywide to 5% of the City’s free market housing units.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    City water and wastewater system-improvement fees for residential development inside Glenwood Springs.

    • One EQR is estimated as 350 gallons per day of water or wastewater usage.
    • The cited provision is a classification rule and does not provide the current dollar amount.

    EQR equivalent usage: 350 gallons per day (Water (wastewater) usage.)

    “The following classifications are hereby established for payment of system improvement fees. For purposes of this article, one (1) EQR is estimated as being the equivalent of three hundred fifty (350) gallons per day of water (wastewater) usage.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — City system improvement fees associated with residential development and accessory dwelling units inside Glenwood Springs city limits.
      “For purposes of this article, one (1) EQR is estimated as being the equivalent of three hundred fifty (350) gallons per day of water (wastewater) usage. [...] Accessory dwelling unit: a separate, complete, dwelling unit containing separate facilities for sleeping, cooking, and sanitation that is contained within or attached to a detached single-family dwelling, or detached from it on the same property. 0.25 EQR”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    City building-permit applications inside Glenwood Springs.

    • Applicants must use the Online Customer Portal.
    • Paper and emailed applications are no longer accepted.
    “All applicants will need to apply for building permits and professional licenses through the Online Customer Portal.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Residential building-permit applications for new construction of four or fewer units inside Glenwood Springs city limits.
      “All of these documents must be present in order to submit your application.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Glenwood Springs or Garfield County directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Glenwood Springs city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private or public property inside Glenwood Springs city limits.
  • Septic inspection — Inspection requirements for OWTS inside Glenwood Springs city limits.
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation inside Glenwood Springs city limits.
  • Well permit — Private water wells serving property inside Glenwood Springs city limits.
4 more unanswered
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Building in a floodplain

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Glenwood Springs publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Garfield County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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