Bolthole Index

Montrose County, Colorado

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in the Town of Nucla, Colorado

The Town of Nucla, Colorado requires a building permit for all construction inside town limits, including manufactured home installation1. Nucla adopts its own land use code and issues its own approvals through the Town Administrator2. Any permanently occupied lot must connect to town water and sewer, and off-grid occupancy is prohibited34. Septic rules from Montrose County apply to land outside town limits.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for all construction inside Nucla town limits1
Zoning
Town land use code, administered by the Town Administrator2
Water and sewer
Permanently occupied lots must connect to town water and sewer3
Off-grid living
Prohibited inside town limits; composting toilets and outhouses are banned4
RV living
Special permit for short stays only; permanent habitation prohibited5
Tiny homes
Must sit on a permanent foundation and meet size limits6
Setbacks (single-family)
Front 25 ft, side 5 ft, street side 8 ft, rear 8 ft7

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Nucla Town Hall

Building permit packets, applications and town licenses inside Nucla town limits

(970) 864-7351

depclerk@townofnucla.gov

320 Main St. Nucla, CO 81424

Septic permits

Montrose County Planning & Development (Building Department)

Review and approval of onsite wastewater (septic) systems in Montrose County

970-249-6688

63160 LaSalle Road Montrose, CO 81401

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Nucla, Colorado?

Yes. The Town of Nucla requires building permits for all construction inside town limits, including installing a manufactured home1. Starting work without a permit can bring penalty fees equal to or more than the permit fee1.

Nucla enforces the 1997 Uniform Building Code along with Colorado's state codes8. Land use approval comes first: a use permit and compliance approval precede the building permit, and the Administrator issues them without a public hearing9. We could not confirm whether Nucla allows owner-builders or what its permit fees are, so ask Town Hall before you plan a budget.

Who issues building permits in Nucla, and how do you reach them?

The Town of Nucla issues its own building permits; the Montrose County building department serves only unincorporated land10. Town Hall hands out a building packet: request it by email at depclerk@townofnucla.gov, call (970) 864-7351, or visit 320 Main St.11. The packet covers the town building permit application, a separate manufactured home application, and state plumbing and electrical applications11.

Nucla's own code says the Town Administrator issues administrative approvals and permits2.

Does Nucla have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and setbacks?

Nucla zones its own land under Chapter 9, the Land Use and Development Code, run by the Town Administrator2. Montrose County's zoning applies only to unincorporated land, not inside Nucla12. We could not confirm the list of Nucla's zoning districts.

For a single-family or manufactured home lot, the code lists a 4,100 square foot minimum lot and 40 ft minimum width13, with setbacks of 25 ft front, 5 ft side, 8 ft street side and 8 ft rear7. Principal buildings may be two stories14. Accessory buildings, including accessory dwelling units, must meet principal-building requirements and need a permit15.

Tiny houses must sit on a permanent foundation and meet the code's size limits, with a maximum of 500 sq ft6. Manufactured homes need an occupancy permit and must connect to utilities16.

How do septic permits work inside Nucla?

Mostly they don't: Nucla requires any permanently occupied lot to connect to town sewer and water taps and the owner pays the service fees3. The town also prohibits off-grid occupancy of any lot or parcel, including composting toilets and outhouses4.

We could not confirm whether a septic permit is ever available inside town limits or who would issue it. Montrose County's Building Department reviews and approves onsite wastewater systems for the county17, and the county health board's authority covers municipalities unless they run their own public health agency18. Call the county office19 and Nucla Town Hall before assuming a septic system is an option on a town lot.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Nucla?

Not permanently. Nucla requires a special permit to inhabit an RV, motor home or camper for short periods not exceeding 30 days, and permanent habitation is prohibited5. Camping on any lot is limited to 30 days20.

During construction, the town allows a porta potty only with a building permit and a porta potty permit, good for 90 days with one renewal, and it must be removed after the certificate of occupancy4. Tiny houses on wheels are treated as RVs; tiny homes on foundations are treated as accessory dwelling units6. Montrose County's more flexible RV rules apply only outside town limits21.

Building a home in Nucla: the steps, in order

  1. Call Nucla Town Hall at (970) 864-7351 and ask for the building packet11.
  2. Confirm lot size and setbacks against the land use code: 4,100 sq ft minimum for a single-family lot and a 25 ft front setback137.
  3. Get land use approval from the Town Administrator, which precedes the building permit9.
  4. Apply for the building permit and, for plumbing and electrical, the state applications in the packet11.
  5. Plan for a town water and sewer connection on any lot you will live on3.
  6. If you need a porta potty during construction, get its separate permit4.

What stays with Montrose County, and what to check before you buy

Land outside Nucla town limits follows Montrose County's rules, which differ sharply from the town's; see the Montrose County page. Confirm the parcel is inside town limits before you rely on either set of rules.

We could not confirm Nucla's floodplain rules, well permits, driveway permits or short-term rental rules, so ask Town Hall. Colorado requires a state permit for every new groundwater well, including residential wells22. Floodplain development is subject to state floodplain standards23.

Watch-outs

  • Off-grid living is prohibited inside Nucla, so a cabin plan that relies on a composting toilet or a generator will not work on a town lot4.
  • Building without a permit can cost penalty fees equal to or more than the permit fee1.
  • We could not confirm Nucla's permit fees, zoning district list or inspection and certificate of occupancy requirements; ask Town Hall at (970) 864-735111.

Sources

  1. Nucla Code Sec. 8-1 Permits required (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  2. Nucla LUDC Sec. 9-9-203 Definitions (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  3. Nucla Code Sec. 8-270 Building code requirements (lots) (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  4. Nucla Code Sec. 8-270 Building code requirements (lots) (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  5. Nucla Code Sec. 8-271 Structures not suitable for permanent habitation (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  6. Nucla Code Sec. 8-301 Tiny houses/homes (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  7. Nucla LUDC Sec. 9-3-102 Single-family detached or manufactured home lot and building standards (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  8. Nucla Code Sec. 8-300 Building code requirements (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  9. Nucla LUDC Sec. 9-6-202 Administrative approvals and permits (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  10. Resolution 28-2023: Montrose County Building Code, quoted and re-checked
  11. Town of Nucla Town Hall (townofnucla.colorado.gov)
  12. Zoning Regulations & Maps, quoted and re-checked
  13. Nucla LUDC Sec. 9-3-102 Single-family detached or manufactured home lot and building standards (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  14. Nucla LUDC Sec. 9-3-102 Single-family detached or manufactured home lot and building standards (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  15. Nucla LUDC Sec. 9-3-402 Accessory buildings (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  16. Nucla Code Sec. 8-113 Use and location of mobile homes and manufactured homes (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  17. Planning & Development, quoted and re-checked
  18. Montrose County Board of Health Resolution: On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  19. Montrose County Planning & Development (Building Department) (montrosecounty.net)
  20. Nucla Code Sec. 8-270 Building code requirements (lots) (Town of Nucla), quoted and re-checked
  21. Montrose County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  22. Water Administration (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. SB24-179 Floodplain Management Program (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 16, 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 Town of Nucla

Town of Nucla’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    All construction inside Nucla town limits, including manufactured home installation

    • Unless otherwise provided.
    • Work begun without a permit may incur penalty fees equal to or exceeding the permit fee.
    “building permits are required for all construction within the town, including the installation of manufactured homes.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Nucla town limits

    • UBC 1997 plus state and federal regulations; Sec. 8-152 also applies State of Colorado gas, mechanical (IMC 2012), plumbing (IPC 2009) and electrical (NEC 2017) codes.
    • Alternative building types (shipping containers, tiny houses, light straw-clay) must meet ICESS criteria.

    base building code: UBC 1997

    “All construction shall comply with UBC 1997, any other state and federal regulations.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Nucla town limits

    • Zoning-type rules are in Chapter 9, Land Use and Development Code (LUDC), administered by the Town Administrator (Town Manager).
    “Administrative approvals and permits are issued by the Administrator upon a finding of compliance with the requirements of this LUDC.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family detached or manufactured home lots (principal building) inside Nucla town limits; table is not tied to a named district

    • Minimum lot width 40 ft.

    minimum lot area: >= 4100 sq ft · minimum lot width: >= 40 ft

    “principal building 4,100 sf. 40 ft. 25 ft. 5 ft. 8 ft. 8 ft. 1 2”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Single-family detached or manufactured home principal buildings inside Nucla town limits; accessory buildings have the same setbacks

    • Column order per table header: front, side, street side, rear.
    • Accessory buildings at least 10 ft from any other building.

    front setback: >= 25 ft · side setback: >= 5 ft · street side setback: >= 8 ft · rear setback: >= 8 ft

    “accessory buildings 25 ft. 5 ft. 8 ft. 8 ft. 1 1”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Single-family detached or manufactured home principal buildings inside Nucla town limits

    • Table gives stories only (maximum 2 for principal building, 1 for accessory buildings as read from the table's last column); no foot height limit seen.

    maximum stories, principal building: <= 2 stories

    “principal building 4,100 sf. 40 ft. 25 ft. 5 ft. 8 ft. 8 ft. 1 2”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    RVs, motor homes, campers on any lot inside Nucla town limits

    • Special permit required to inhabit for short periods not exceeding 30 days.
    • Permanent habitation prohibited.

    max inhabitation with special permit: <= 30 days

    “a special permit is required to inhabit any of the following structures for short periods time and not to exceed 30 days.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping on any lot inside Nucla town limits

    • Limited to 30 days; sec. 8-271 requires a special permit to inhabit tents/RVs for short periods.

    camping limit: <= 30 days

    “camping on any lot is permitted only for periods not to exceed 30 days.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Tiny houses inside Nucla town limits

    • Tiny houses on wheels are treated as RVs/travel homes; foundation tiny homes are ADUs.
    • Must comply with UBC 1997, ICESS Appendix Q, state codes; max 500 sq ft, 13 ft 6 in high, 28 ft long, 10 ft floor to ceiling, 8 ft 6 in wide.

    maximum size: <= 500 sq ft

    “tiny houses shall be affixed to a permanent foundation.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile/manufactured homes inside Nucla town limits

    • Occupancy permit required or lawfully existing at effective date; new manufactured homes must have Colorado housing insignia, be built after June 15, 1976, be at least 10 ft from other structures, connect to electric, gas, sewer and water, and be insured.
    • Moratorium on new manufactured home parks.
    “occupied as a dwelling within the town of nucla, on a privately-owned lot or property, for which an occupancy permit has been issued or which lawfully existed at the date this division became effective.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units inside Nucla town limits

    • Must comply with all requirements for principal buildings; 10 ft spacing from other buildings; accessory buildings over 200 sq ft need permanent foundation.
    • ADU is established by permit (Sec. 8-296).
    “Accessory buildings (e.g., detached garages, storage buildings, or accessory dwelling units) shall comply with all requirements for principal buildings”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Any lot or parcel inside Nucla town limits

    • Composting toilets and outhouses prohibited; porta potties only during authorized construction with building permit and porta potty permit (90 days, one renewal), removed after CO issued.
    • Generators prohibited except emergency or construction use.

    porta potty permit duration: <= 90 days (one renewal allowed)

    “the town of nucla prohibits any type of "off grid" occupancy of any lot or parcel.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Permanently occupied lots inside Nucla town limits

    • Applies to any permanently occupied lot; owner pays all water and sewer service fees.
    • No distance/availability threshold stated in the section.
    “any lot that is permanently occupied shall be connected to town of nucla sewer and water taps and the owner shall pay for all water and sewer service fees.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Land use and building permits inside Nucla town limits

    • Administrator issues approvals without public hearing; use permit and LUDC compliance approval precede building permit; building permit required before construction of any new building or addition.
    “Administrative approvals and permits are issued by the Administrator upon a finding of compliance with the requirements of this LUDC.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Nucla or Montrose County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built construction inside Nucla town limits
  • Inspections — Construction inside Nucla town limits
  • Certificate of occupancy — Construction inside Nucla town limits
  • Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Nucla town limits
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Nucla town limits
11 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Town of Nucla publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Montrose County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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