Bolthole Index

Adams County, Colorado

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Federal Heights, Colorado

Federal Heights, Colorado, in Adams County, has its own Building Department and zoning rules. The city publishes building-permit applications and handles inspections for active city permits, while Colorado administers electrical permits and inspections.1 Adams County Health Department handles septic systems where public sewer is unavailable.2

At a glance

Building permit
City permits are required for many listed construction projects; ask the Building Department about work not on its published list.3
Zoning
Federal Heights uses conventional zone districts and negotiated PUD districts.4
Septic
Adams County Health Department handles onsite systems where public sewer is unavailable.2
RV living
The verified city rule covers licensed RV parks, not living in an RV on an ordinary residential lot; ask Planning before relying on RV occupancy.5
Tiny home
No separate tiny-home occupancy rule was confirmed; district dwelling-size rules still matter.67
Minimum home size
Varies by zone district and, in some districts, by unit type or building details.6897

Who to call

Building permits

City of Federal Heights Building Department

City building applications, guides, fees, adopted technical-code information and inspection scheduling for active permits

(303) 412-3534

[email protected]

2380 W. 90th Ave., Federal Heights, CO 80260

Building permits

City of Federal Heights Building Department permit guide

The city's published examples of work that does and does not require a building permit

Planning & zoning

City of Federal Heights Planning Department

Zoning, land-use questions, development applications and zoning verification inside Federal Heights

303-412-3530

2380 W. 90th Avenue Federal Heights, CO 80260

Septic permits

Adams County Health Department, Water Quality Team

Septic-system applications, design review, permits, inspections and installer licensing for Adams County

303.288.6816

[email protected]

4430 South Adams County Parkway Brighton, Colorado 80601

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 Federal Heights means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Federal Heights, Colorado?

Federal Heights requires city building permits for many common projects, including remodeling, structural or plumbing modifications, roofing, room additions, garages, accessory buildings, and every storage shed.3 The city's list is expressly incomplete, so ask the Federal Heights Building Department about a project that is not listed before work begins.3 The city page provides building applications, guides, fee information and adopted technical-code information.1 Electrical permits and electrical inspections are administered by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies rather than the city.1

Who issues building permits in Federal Heights?

The City of Federal Heights Building Department is the local counter for building applications and for inspections tied to active city building permits.1 To schedule an inspection, call by 3:30 p.m. on the preceding day and provide the permit number and requested inspection type.10 The department's published permit guide says to contact the city when a project does not appear on its examples list.3 Reach the Building Department at the phone or email shown above; use Colorado DORA for electrical permitting and electrical inspections.1

Does Federal Heights have zoning?

Federal Heights has local zoning and uses both conventional districts and negotiated Planned Unit Development districts.4 The published districts include commercial, industrial, several residential districts and PUDs, so the zoning map and any property-specific PUD plan matter before design begins.11 In the R-1 district, an interior lot has a 6,500-square-foot minimum area and a corner lot has an 8,000-square-foot minimum area.12 R-1 principal-building setbacks are 25 feet in front, 5 feet on an interior side and 20 feet at the rear.13 Ask the city Planning Department to confirm the parcel's district and applicable standards.14

What do Federal Heights zoning rules mean for home size?

Federal Heights does not have one citywide minimum dwelling size; the standard depends on the zone district and sometimes the unit or building.6 R-1 requires at least 950 square feet per dwelling, while R-2 requires at least 850 square feet per dwelling.68 In R-3, minimums run from 500 square feet for a one-bedroom unit to 950 square feet for a four-bedroom unit.9 R-5 standards vary with principal-building height and construction date.7 A separate tiny-home occupancy category could not be confirmed, so bring a proposed tiny-home design and parcel address to Planning before purchase.14

How do septic permits work inside Federal Heights?

Adams County Health Department administers onsite wastewater systems in Federal Heights where a property is not served by public sewer.2 For regulated installation, expansion or repair work, submit a septic-system permit application with the design and soils report; the department issues the permit when the application complies with Regulation O-26.15 Near completion, the installer requests a final inspection, and a passing inspection is followed by approval to backfill.16 Minor work that does not affect the listed tank, field or line components can be exempt, including replacement of risers, lids and distribution boxes.17

Can you live in an RV in Federal Heights?

The confirmed Federal Heights RV rule is for an independent travel-trailer, motor-home or recreational-vehicle park, not for living in an RV on an ordinary residential parcel.5 Such a park needs a city license, must satisfy special-use-permit criteria, and requires city-council and building-inspector approval.5 Camping on city property is prohibited without written permission from the city manager or an authorized designee, but that rule does not answer private-lot occupancy.18 Before buying land for RV living, ask Federal Heights Planning for a written determination tied to the parcel and proposed duration.14

Building a home in Federal Heights: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Federal Heights Planning to confirm the parcel's zone district, allowed residential use and any PUD standards.4
  1. Compare the concept with the applicable lot area, setbacks and dwelling-size rules.12136
  1. Use the city's building applications and guides, and ask the Building Department which submissions and fees apply.19
  1. Obtain electrical permits and inspections from Colorado DORA.1
  1. If public sewer is unavailable, complete Adams County Health's septic design, soils-report and permit process.15
  1. Schedule each city building inspection using the active permit number and requested inspection type.10

What should you check before buying in Federal Heights?

Confirm the exact Federal Heights zone district and whether a negotiated PUD governs the parcel, because a PUD can carry plan-specific standards.4 Check the district's lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, height and dwelling-size standards before assuming an existing lot can hold the intended project.12132021 Buildings in mapped flood-hazard areas must comply with the city's floodplain rules.22 Verify public sewer availability; Adams County Health handles onsite wastewater only where public sewer is unavailable.2 Federal Heights' general certificate-of-occupancy and owner-builder rules could not be confirmed, so ask the Building Department before budgeting or closing.1

Watch-outs

  • Federal Heights' published building-permit examples are not a complete list; ask the city about any unlisted project.3
  • The confirmed RV-park rule does not establish that residential-lot RV occupancy is allowed.5
  • Electrical permits and inspections go through Colorado DORA, not the Federal Heights Building Department.1

Sources

  1. City of Federal Heights Building Department (fedheights.org)
  2. Septic Systems (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  3. City of Federal Heights Building Department permit guide (fedheights.org)
  4. Planning and Zoning (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  5. Section 14-250. Application for license (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  6. Section 70-214. Permitted density in R-1 district (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  7. Section 70-328. Permitted density in R-5 district (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  8. Section 70-242. Permitted density in R-2 district (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  9. Section 70-264. Permitted density in R-3 multiple-family residential district (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  10. Building Department (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  11. Zoning Information (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  12. Section 70-214. Permitted density in R-1 district (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  13. Section 70-214. Permitted density in R-1 district (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  14. City of Federal Heights Planning Department (fedheights.org)
  15. Septic Systems (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  16. Septic Systems (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  17. Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  18. Section 46-124. Unauthorized camping and structures on city property prohibited (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  19. Building Department (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  20. Section 70-214. Permitted density in R-1 district (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  21. Section 70-214. Permitted density in R-1 district (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked
  22. Floodplain construction amendment (Federal Heights), quoted and re-checked

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 Federal Heights

Federal Heights’s own rules

  • InspectionsLimited

    Inspections for active city building permits inside Federal Heights; electrical permits and inspections are administered by Colorado DORA.

    • Inspection scheduling requires the permit number and inspection type; requests are due by 3:30 p.m. the day before. Electrical permitting and inspections are state-administered.
    “Call by 3:30 p.m. the day before you would like to schedule an inspection. To schedule your next inspection , please leave your name, contact information, permit number and type of inspection requested.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Zoning inside Federal Heights city limits.

    • The city uses Euclidean zone districts and negotiated PUD zone districts.
    “The City of Federal Heights uses both traditional Euclidean zone districts and Planned Unit Developments (PUD's).”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Published zoning districts inside Federal Heights.

    • The official city page lists C-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, I-1, and PUD districts; PUD standards may be negotiated and plan-specific.
    “C-1 Zone District (Commercial District) [...] R-1 Zone District (Single Family Residential District) [...] R-2 Zone District (Duplex Residential District) [...] R-3 Zone District (Multi-Family Residential District) [...] R-4 Zone District (Mobile Home Park District) [...] R-5 Zone District (Single Family Mobile Home District) [...] I-1 Zone District (Industrial District) [...] PUD Zones (Planned Unit Development Districts)”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    R-3 multiple-family residential district.

    • Minimums vary by bedroom count.

    one-bedroom minimum: >= 500 sq ft · two-bedroom minimum: >= 650 sq ft · three-bedroom minimum: >= 800 sq ft · four-bedroom minimum: >= 950 sq ft

    “Minimum floor area (square feet) per unit: a. One-bedroom unit, 500 ft. 2 b. Two-bedroom unit, 650 ft. 2 c. Three-bedroom unit, 800 ft. 2 d. Four-bedroom unit, 950 ft. 2”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — R-1 single-family residential district.
      “Minimum floor area per dwelling, 950 ft. 2”
    • Specified — R-2 multiple-family residential district.
      “Minimum floor area per dwelling, 850 ft. 2”
    • Specified — R-5 single-family residential district.
      “Minimum above grade floor area of principal structure. a. If principal building is greater than 17 feet high, 950 square feet. b. Principal building equal to or less than 17 feet high that is constructed after March 1, 2004, 850 square feet. c. Principal building equal to or less than 17 feet high that was constructed before March 1, 2004, 500 square feet.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 district.

    • Interior and corner lots have different minimums.

    interior lot area: >= 6500 sq ft · corner lot area: >= 8000 sq ft

    “Interior lot: 1. Area: 6,500 ft. 2 [...] Corner lot: 1. Area: 8,000 ft. 2”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 district.

    • Principal-building front setback is 25 feet; interior side setback is 5 feet; rear setback is 20 feet. Corner side-street requirements differ.

    front principal setback: >= 25 ft · interior side principal setback: >= 5 ft · rear principal setback: >= 20 ft

    “Front yard setback: 1. Principal building: 25 ft. [...] Side yard setback: 1. Interior lot: i. Principal building: 5 ft. [...] Rear yard setback: 1. Principal building: 20 ft.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-1 district.

    • Principal and accessory-building coverage are separately limited.

    principal building coverage: <= 35 percent · all accessory buildings coverage: <= 10 percent

    “Maximum lot coverage (percentage of total area): a. Principal building, 35 percent. b. Total for all accessory buildings, 10 percent.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 district.

    • Accessory buildings have a separate lower maximum.

    principal building height: <= 35 ft · accessory building height: <= 20 ft

    “Maximum height of buildings: a. Principal building, 35 ft. b. Accessory buildings, 20 ft.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Independent travel-trailer, motor-home, or recreational-vehicle parks inside Federal Heights.

    • A city license, special-use-permit criteria, city-council approval, and building-inspector approval are required; the park must connect to city water and sewer.
    “Applications for an independent travel trailer and motor home recreational vehicle park license shall be filed with the city clerk and issued by the city council upon demonstration to the city council's satisfaction that the intended use meets the criteria for a special use permit and upon approval of the application by the building inspector.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Camping or shelters on city property inside Federal Heights.

    • Written permission from the city manager or authorized designee is an exception; the section applies to city property.
    “Unauthorized camping. It shall be unlawful for any person to camp on city property without having first obtained written permission of the city manager or the manager's authorized designee.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Buildings and structures in flood-hazard areas inside Federal Heights.

    • Flood-hazard-area construction must comply with Chapter 34, Article II of the Federal Heights Municipal Code.
    “Buildings and structures located in flood hazard areas shall conform to the requirements of Article II of Chapter 34 of the Federal Heights Municipal Code.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building and land-use permit processing inside Federal Heights.

    • The city publishes building permit applications, inspection scheduling instructions, development applications, zoning requests, and planning contacts; the full process was not established from the opened pages.
    “The City of Federal Heights Building Department has resources and information regarding building applications, building guides, building fees, and information on adopted technical codes. If you are interested in scheduling an inspection for an active permit, please follow the instructions on the right.”

Rules another office applies inside Federal Heights

Federal Heights does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Who permits septicCounty

    Onsite wastewater systems serving property inside Federal Heights where public sewer is unavailable; Adams County Health Department administers the septic process.

    • Septic systems are for properties not served by public sewer; city sewer-connection rules may supersede septic use.
    “Our team will review the septic system design and issue the permit if the application complies with Regulation O-26.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New, expanded, repaired, or otherwise regulated septic systems inside Federal Heights where onsite wastewater treatment is used.

    • Submit design, soils report, application, and fee; permit is issued if Regulation O-26 is satisfied. Some minor repairs do not require a permit.
    “Submit a septic system permit application to [email protected] along with the septic system design and soils report. Alternatively, you may submit these items through the online portal or in person at our office.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installation and regulated repair of septic systems inside Federal Heights.

    • Installer requests final inspection near completion; passing inspection is followed by backfill approval and issuance of a use permit.
    “Once the installer is near completion, they will request a final inspection. If no issues are found in the final inspection, we will approve the installer’s backfilling of the system.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Federal Heights or Adams County directly.

  • Building permit — General building-permit requirement for all construction inside Federal Heights.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from city building requirements.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements inside Federal Heights.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Federal Heights.
  • Well permit — Private groundwater well permitting inside Federal Heights.
3 more unanswered
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Short-term rentals

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 Federal Heights publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Adams County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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