Bolthole Index

Arapahoe County, Colorado

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Englewood, Colorado

The City of Englewood, Colorado runs its own zoning through its Unified Development Code and issues its own building permits, so Arapahoe County's unincorporated-area rules do not apply inside city limits12. Living in an RV on a residential lot is restricted3. Septic permits belong to Arapahoe County Public Health, and we could not confirm any Englewood-specific septic rule4.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes, city zoning with base and overlay districts1
Building code
City-adopted building and residential codes with local amendments2
RV living
Limited; visitor RV special permit up to 7 days3
Accessory dwelling units
Limited by district; prohibited in the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay5
Floodplain
Development permit required in flood hazard areas6
Short-term rentals
Licenses required7
Septic
Arapahoe County Public Health administers septic permits in the county4
Tiny homes
State-approved tiny homes still must meet local zoning; Englewood's own rule is unconfirmed8

Who to call

Building permits

City of Englewood Building & Codes (Building Division)

Building permits, plan review, inspections and contractor licensing inside Englewood city limits

303-762-2357

[email protected]

1000 Englewood Parkway, 3rd Floor, Englewood, CO 80110

Zoning

City of Englewood Community Development

Zoning and development questions, short-term rentals and accessory dwelling units inside Englewood city limits

303-762-2342

[email protected]

1000 Englewood Parkway, 3rd Floor, Englewood, CO 80110

Septic permits

Arapahoe County Public Health – Environmental Health

Septic (OWTS) permits administered by Arapahoe County

303-795-4584

6964 S. Lima St., Centennial, CO 80112

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

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Does Englewood, Colorado have zoning?

Yes. Englewood zones land inside city limits through its Unified Development Code, with base districts and overlays1. Arapahoe County's zoning applies only to unincorporated land, so county zoning districts do not govern an Englewood lot.

For RVs, the city restricts living in a vehicle on residential property: motor vehicles may not be occupied for living or sleeping, apart from a special permit for a nonresident visitor at a resident's home for no more than 7 days3. Vehicles also may not be parked or stored on a grass surface on private property, and the rule came from a ballot initiative, so only a vote can change it3.

Accessory dwelling units are allowed in some districts, up to 800 square feet, but are prohibited in the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay5. We could not confirm Englewood's minimum lot sizes, setbacks, building heights or tiny-home rules; ask Englewood Community Development9. Colorado-approved tiny homes still have to meet local zoning8.

Do you need a building permit in Englewood, and who issues it?

Yes, building work inside Englewood goes through the city, not Arapahoe County. The city has adopted the International Building Code with local amendments and also adopts a residential code with amendments2. Local climate criteria include a 30 psf ground snow load and a 36 inch frost depth2. The city Building Division is the office to contact10.

Permit fees are set by City Council in the City's Fee and Rate Schedule11. Refunds of up to 80% are possible if no work was done and the request comes within 180 days11.

A contractor doing paid work in the city needs a city contractor license; ask the Building Division10. We could not confirm whether Englewood has an owner-builder exemption; ask the Building Division. State law lets owners do some electrical and plumbing work on their own homes under conditions1213.

How do septic permits work inside Englewood?

Colorado law requires a permit from the local public health agency to construct, alter, install or use a septic system (OWTS) where a building is not served by a sewage treatment works14. In Arapahoe County that agency is Arapahoe County Public Health, which requires a septic permit for new installations, expansions, repairs and use415.

We could not confirm whether any Englewood lot is allowed a septic system. Accessory dwelling units in the city must connect to the sewer lines of the principal dwelling, subject to the Englewood Water and Sewer Board16. Ask Community Development and Arapahoe County Environmental Health before assuming a septic option15. Water wells need a state permit from the Division of Water Resources17.

Building a home in Englewood: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the lot's zoning district and overlay with Englewood Community Development9.
  2. Check for flood hazard: development in a special flood hazard area needs a floodplain development permit first, and the lowest residential floor must sit 1 foot above base flood elevation6.
  3. Apply for a building permit with the city Building Division10.
  4. Hire a city-licensed contractor, or ask the Building Division about doing the work yourself10.
  5. Confirm sewer or septic service with the Englewood Water and Sewer Board or Arapahoe County Public Health15.
  6. Pass inspections: for accessory dwelling units, building and occupancy permits must be approved and inspections passed before occupancy18.

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

Land outside Englewood city limits falls under the county's rules; see the Arapahoe County page for unincorporated land. Septic permits stay with the county health agency4.

Short-term rentals in Englewood need a biennial Sales/Use Tax License and an annual short-term rental license, and RVs and travel trailers are ineligible7. Arapahoe County's effective property tax rate is 0.5%19, and the typical home value is about $516,23320.

Watch-outs

  • City limits matter: Arapahoe County's building and zoning offices serve only unincorporated land, so Englewood addresses go to the city offices21.
  • Englewood's RV living limit was set by ballot initiative and can be changed only by an election3.
  • We could not confirm Englewood's lot sizes, setbacks, tiny-home rules or well rules; call Community Development before you buy9.

Sources

  1. Englewood Code 16-5-7 Neighborhood Preservation Overlay (NPO) (Englewood), quoted and re-checked
  2. Englewood Code 8-2A-2 Building Code Modifications (Englewood), quoted and re-checked
  3. Englewood Code 11-6-2 Parking/Storage Regulations for Residential Districts (Englewood), quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Englewood Code 16-4-4 Accessory Uses (Englewood), quoted and re-checked
  6. Englewood Code 16-10-6 Floodplain Regulations (Englewood), quoted and re-checked
  7. Englewood Code 5-31-2 Short Term Rentals Business Licenses Required (Englewood), quoted and re-checked
  8. Consumers of Manufactured Homes and Tiny Homes - HUD (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Englewood Community Development (englewoodco.gov)
  10. City of Englewood Building & Codes (Building Division) (englewoodco.gov)
  11. Englewood Code 8-2A-2 Building Code Modifications (Englewood), quoted and re-checked
  12. Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 12, § 12-115-116 (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 12, § 12-155-118 (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Title 25 - Public Health and Environment - Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Arapahoe County Public Health – Environmental Health (arapahoeco.gov)
  16. Englewood Code 16-4-4 Accessory Uses (Englewood), quoted and re-checked
  17. Water Administration (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Englewood Code 16-4-4 Accessory Uses (Englewood), quoted and re-checked
  19. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

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 Englewood

Englewood’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Commercial/general construction inside Englewood city (IBC 2024 with local amendments); residential code (IRC) also adopted with amendments under 8-2G-2

    • Local amendments apply, including climatic design criteria (30 psf ground snow load, 36 inch frost depth).
    “The following specific amendments are hereby made to the provisions of the International Building Code 2024”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Accessory dwelling units inside Englewood city (inspections for other construction not separately quoted)

    • Newly constructed elements must meet current codes.
    • Reinspection fees may be assessed under 8-2A-2.
    “Prior to occupancy of the accessory dwelling unit all building and occupancy permits shall be approved, and inspections conducted demonstrating compliance with applicable building and fire safety codes.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Accessory dwelling units inside Englewood city; code also provides Temporary Certificate of Occupancy fee

    • General CO rule for other buildings not separately quoted.
    “Prior to occupancy of the accessory dwelling unit all building and occupancy permits shall be approved”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Englewood city limits

    • Zoning is administered through Title 16 Unified Development Code with base and overlay districts.
    “An overlay district covering a portion of the MU-R-3-B base residential zone district”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupying RVs/motor vehicles for living inside Englewood city

    • Special permit may be issued on resident's application for a nonresident visitor in an RV at the applicant's residence for not more than 7 days.
    • Vehicles may not be parked or stored on a grass surface on private property.
    • Provision passed by ballot initiative; only changeable by electoral vote.

    visitor RV special permit max stay: <= 7 days

    “no motor vehicle or vehicles shall be occupied or used for living or housekeeping or sleeping purposes or for the housing and keeping of animals, except as provided in subsection 2 below;”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units on lots inside Englewood city

    • Permitted with detached house, multi-unit house, or attached houses as indicated in Table 5-2.
    • Prohibited in the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay (NPO).
    • R-2-B and MU-R-3 detached houses may have multiple ADUs, only one in a detached building, with 2,000 sq ft lot area per unit.
    • No additional parking required; impact fees apply.

    max ADU floor area (detached or attached): <= 800 sq ft (Equal to building footprint if internal to principal building)

    “800 square feet, if in a detached building or attached to the principal building.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Accessory dwelling units inside Englewood city must connect to the principal dwelling's water and sewer; general new-home connection/distance rule not found

    • Subject to requirements of the Englewood Water and Sewer Board.
    “Accessory dwelling units shall connect to water and sewer lines of the principal dwelling, subject to the requirements of the Englewood Water and Sewer Board.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in special flood hazard areas inside Englewood city

    • Residential lowest floor elevated 1 foot above base flood elevation, certified by Colorado engineer, architect or surveyor.
    • Floodplain development permit required before construction in an SFHA.

    freeboard above base flood elevation: >= 1 foot

    “a floodplain development permit shall be required prior to commencement of any construction or other development to ensure conformance with the provisions of this chapter.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short term rentals inside Englewood city

    • Requires biennial Sales/Use Tax License and annual STR License.
    • Ineligible: properties titled to a corporation or REIT; zoned I-1, I-2, or PUD; apartments in rental complexes; RVs, travel trailers or temporary structures.
    “Prior to renting, advertising, or offering to rent a property as a Short Term Rental”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit fees inside Englewood city

    • Fee amounts not captured; schedule itself not opened.
    • Refunds up to 80% of fee if no work done, application within 180 days.
    “These fees shall be determined by the City Council and set forth within the City's Fee and Rate Schedule.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Englewood or Arapahoe County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Englewood city
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential districts inside Englewood city
  • Minimum lot size — Residential districts inside Englewood city
  • Setbacks — Residential districts inside Englewood city
  • Lot coverage — Residential districts inside Englewood city
12 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Permit process

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

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