Bolthole Index

Conejos County, Colorado

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Conejos County, Colorado

61Index Score / 100
#18 of 64 in Colorado

Unincorporated Conejos County, Colorado requires a construction permit for new construction, including installation of a mobile or manufactured home1. County zoning also applies, and the Land Use Office handles building permits, land-use applications and the onsite wastewater treatment system program23. RV occupancy is limited to temporary travel, recreation or vacation use, while septic systems require county approval and inspections456.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new construction in unincorporated Conejos County, including mobile or manufactured home installation1
Building codes
The county requires the 2018 residential/building and energy conservation codes7
Zoning
Yes; district and overlay rules apply in unincorporated areas28
Septic (OWTS)
The County Land Use Office requires a permit, inspection and approval596
RV living
Long-term dwelling use is prohibited; temporary travel, recreation or vacation use is the stated exception410
Tiny home
State approval supports long-term occupancy, but county zoning and permits still apply111
Owner-builder exemption
No general exemption was confirmed; ask the Land Use Office before relying on one12
Well
Every new groundwater-diverting well needs a state well permit, subject to exceptions and basin rules13

Who to call

Building permits

Conejos County Land Use Office

Building permits, zoning and land-use applications, subdivisions, and OWTS (septic) administration in unincorporated Conejos County

719-376-2014

[email protected]

PO Box 157, 6683 County Road 13, Conejos, CO 81129

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Conejos County, Colorado?

Yes. New construction in unincorporated Conejos County requires a construction permit, including installation of a mobile or manufactured home1. Permitted buildings must meet the 2018 residential/building and energy conservation codes7. Inspections are required through each phase of construction, including a final inspection before occupancy14. A construction permit is valid for one year and may lapse after 12 continuous months without construction1. Specified agricultural activities in Agricultural zoning areas can be exempt from a land-use permit, but that exemption does not remove construction-permit requirements or other applicable rules1516. Ask the Land Use Office to confirm whether a particular repair, accessory structure or farm project qualifies before starting.

Who issues permits in Conejos County, Colorado?

The Conejos County Land Use Office processes building permits and land-use matters in unincorporated Conejos County3. The same office manages the county's OWTS, or septic, program53. Incorporated towns are separate municipalities with their own rules, so first confirm which jurisdiction contains the parcel3. The office also administers divisions of land, boundary changes, lot consolidations, subdivisions, rezoning, special uses and variances17. The county's published process routes property-access, construction and OWTS applications through the appropriate county offices1819. No general owner-builder exemption was confirmed, so owners doing their own work should ask the Land Use Office what plans and inspections apply12.

Does Conejos County have zoning?

Yes. Conejos County zoning covers unincorporated land through Agricultural, Rural, Residential, Community/Townsite, Commercial and Industrial districts, plus Riparian Protection and Floodplain overlays2820. Agricultural and Rural districts have a one-acre minimum lot area and 40-foot front, side and rear setbacks2122. Maximum height is 45 feet in the Agricultural district and 35 feet in the Rural district; Rural-district buildings may cover no more than 20% of the lot2324. These standards are district-specific, not countywide. We could not confirm a minimum dwelling floor area, so ask the Land Use Office about the parcel's district and proposed home. Incorporated towns use their own rules3.

How do septic permits work in Conejos County?

The Conejos County Land Use Office regulates OWTS, or septic, systems under the county Board of Health and state rules5. A permit is required for a new system and applicable alterations or repairs9. The published fee is $325 for a new system and $200 for an alteration or repair, with double fees when installation begins without a permit9. Installation inspections require 24-hour notice, and an engineered system needs approval from both the design engineer and County Inspector6. A home cannot be occupied without an approved wastewater system; cesspools and outhouses are prohibited25. Where public sewer or a sanitation district is available, an applicant must make reasonable documented efforts to connect and use that system exclusively26. Only 14.8% of county soils avoid severe conventional-drain-field limits, so test feasibility early27.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Conejos County?

Unincorporated Conejos County limits an RV dwelling to temporary travel, recreation or vacation use and prohibits RV or tent use within a Residential district410. An RV cannot serve as storage or an accessory structure, and an RV park or campground requires special-use review and a land-use permit410. Colorado permits a Division of Housing-approved tiny home for long-term living, but county zoning still controls placement11. We could not confirm a county rule specifically for tiny-home occupancy or a minimum dwelling size, so take the plans and parcel number to the Land Use Office before buying. A manufactured or mobile home requires a Land Use Construction Permit in unincorporated Conejos County28.

How do you build a home in Conejos County?

  1. Confirm that the parcel is unincorporated and ask the Land Use Office for its zoning district and overlays320.
  1. Obtain safe, conforming access; the county publishes a $100 access-permit fee18.
  1. Obtain the physical address; the $50 application fee includes an approved reflective address sign29.
  1. Arrange the soil evaluation and apply through the Colorado Division of Water Resources if a new well will supply the home1930.
  1. Submit complete construction drawings and the construction-permit application19.
  1. Apply for the OWTS permit, or document the required public-sewer connection, and obtain applicable state trade permits92619.
  1. Schedule the required building and OWTS inspections before occupancy1425.

What should you check before buying land in Conejos County?

Confirm zoning, lot size, setbacks, legal access and whether a proposed land division needs county review before the due-diligence period ends21221817. Development in an identified floodplain must follow county land-use and building provisions plus applicable federal minimum standards31. Check well-permit feasibility with the Colorado Division of Water Resources30. Test septic feasibility early because only 14.8% of county soils avoid severe limits for a conventional drain field27. Conejos County averages 17.3 inches of precipitation and has experienced severe drought in about 31.6% of years, so secure a dependable water plan3233. About 60% of the county is federal land, making ownership, access and boundary verification essential34.

Watch-outs

  • Conejos County limits RV dwelling use to temporary travel, recreation or vacation and prohibits RV or tent use within a Residential district410.
  • A home may not be occupied without a county- and state-approved septic system, and cesspools and outhouses are prohibited25.
  • An agricultural land-use-permit exemption does not remove construction-permit requirements or other applicable rules16.
  • No general owner-builder exemption, county tiny-home occupancy rule or minimum dwelling floor area was confirmed; ask the Conejos County Land Use Office about the proposed project and parcel before purchase123.

Sources

  1. Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  2. Land Use | Conejos County, quoted and re-checked
  3. Conejos County Land Use Office (conejoscounty.colorado.gov)
  4. Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  5. Land Use | Conejos County, quoted and re-checked
  6. Land Use | Conejos County, quoted and re-checked
  7. Land Use | Conejos County, quoted and re-checked
  8. Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  9. Land Use | Conejos County, quoted and re-checked
  10. Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  11. Consumers of Manufactured Homes and Tiny Homes - HUD (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. (2026 county census)
  13. Water Administration (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Land Use | Conejos County, quoted and re-checked
  15. 2005 Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  16. Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  17. Land Use | Conejos County, quoted and re-checked
  18. Land Use Step by Step Building/Construction Process, quoted and re-checked
  19. Land Use Step by Step Building/Construction Process, quoted and re-checked
  20. Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  21. 2005 Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  22. 2005 Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  23. 2005 Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  24. 2005 Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  25. Land Use Step by Step Building/Construction Process, quoted and re-checked
  26. Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  27. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  28. 2005 Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  29. Land Use Step by Step Building/Construction Process, quoted and re-checked
  30. Land Use Step by Step Building/Construction Process, quoted and re-checked
  31. 2005 Conejos County Land Use Code, quoted and re-checked
  32. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  33. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  34. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 29, 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.

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County locator

Conejos County in Colorado

61
County map
Conejos County highlighted among the Colorado counties · colored by Index score

How Conejos County scores

Seclusion81100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency37100% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability43100% ev.
Property Autonomy75100% ev.
Carry Cost89100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$220kTypical home
0.4%Property tax
$2,984Land / acre
17.3"Annual rain
31.6% of yrsSevere drought
0 / yr (+0)Mid-century 100°F days
26 daysMid-century dry spell
1.1" (+5.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.33×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,487Home insurance / yr
3.6% / yrInsurance growth
1.57%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
7,469People within 30 min
88,497People within 2 hr
7,575Radius comparison (15 mi)
5.8People / sq mi
60%Federal land
64.4%Land at 15% slope or less
14.8%Septic soil without severe limits
110,182 acWorkable land screen
33.7%Wooded land
34.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
40.7°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Conejos County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Conejos County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction, including mobile or manufactured homes, and non-exempt remodel or repair in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • Construction, remodel, or repair may not begin before permit issuance.
    • The code contains exemptions for specified household repairs, roofing, accessory structures, and fences.
    • The construction permit remains valid for one year and lapses after 12 continuous months without construction.

    permit validity: 1 year (May be extended by the Land Use Administrator.)

    “A Construction Permit is required for all new construction, and for remodel or repair of existing buildings or structures unless expressly exempted from Construction Permit requirements by Section 5.600.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Residential, commercial, and energy-code requirements administered by Conejos County.

    • Effective July 1, 2023, the county adopted the 2018 IRC for residential construction, the 2018 IBC for commercial construction, and the 2018 IECC for residential and commercial construction.
    “Effective July 1, 2023 Conejos County has adopted the 2018 Editions of the IRC for Residential Construction, IBC for Commercial Construction, and the IECC Energy code for both residential and commercial construction.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • The permit holder must provide at least 24 hours' notice.
    • Inspections include foundation, framing/masonry, insulation, midroof, and final inspection.
    • Final inspection occurs after permitted work is complete and before occupancy.
    • Electrical and plumbing inspections are performed through the state.

    inspection notice: >= 24 hours

    “Final inspection shall be made after the permitted work is complete and prior to occupancy.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land-use zoning in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • The county code establishes agricultural, rural, residential, community/townsite, commercial, and industrial districts, plus riparian-protection and floodplain overlays.
    • Specific uses may require administrative or special-use review.
    “Our jurisdiction is in the unincorporated territory of Conejos County. The towns within Conejos County are their own municipalities with their own rules.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning rules for unincorporated Conejos County.

    • The cited county code applies to county zoning districts and overlays; incorporated municipalities may have separate rules.
    “The following zone districts are established.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning districts and overlays in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • The code establishes Agricultural, Rural, Residential, Community/Townsite, Commercial, and Industrial districts.
    • The code also establishes Riparian Protection and Floodplain Overlay Districts.
    • District-specific dimensional standards and use-review requirements apply.
    “A. Agricultural District (A). B. Rural District (RU). C. Residential District (R). D. Community/Townsite District. (C/T) E. Commercial District (C). F. Industrial District (I).”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Agricultural and Rural zoning districts in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • The cited minimum is district-specific and does not establish a countywide minimum.
    • Existing nonconforming lots may qualify for a construction permit subject to engineered septic requirements.

    minimum lot area: 1 acre

    “Lot Size: Minimum lot area for permitted use: One (1) acre.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Agricultural and Rural zoning districts in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • Agricultural District: 40-foot front, side, and rear setbacks.
    • Rural District: 40-foot front, side, and rear setbacks.

    Agricultural front setback: 40 feet · Agricultural side setback: 40 feet · Agricultural rear setback: 40 feet · Rural front/side/rear setbacks: 40 feet

    “Minimum front setback: forty (40) feet. [...] Minimum side setback: forty (40) feet. [...] Minimum rear setback: forty (40) feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Agricultural and Rural zoning districts in unincorporated Conejos County.
      “Front setback for all uses: forty (40) feet. Minimum side setback: forty (40) feet. Minimum rear setback: forty (40) feet.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Rural zoning district in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • The cited coverage limit is specific to the Rural district.

    maximum building coverage: <= 20 percent of lot area

    “The total coverage of all buildings shall not occupy more than twenty (20%) percent of the lot area.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Agricultural and Rural zoning districts in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • The cited height limits are district-specific.
    • Other districts may have different standards.

    Agricultural maximum height: <= 45 feet · Rural maximum height: <= 35 feet

    “Height of Buildings: Maximum height for all uses forty five (45) feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — Agricultural and Rural zoning districts in unincorporated Conejos County.
      “Height of Buildings: Maximum height for all uses forty five (45) feet. [...] Height of Buildings: Maximum height for all uses: thirty-five (35) feet.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Long-term or non-temporary dwelling occupancy of a recreational vehicle on private land in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • A recreational vehicle may be used only as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreation, or vacation use.
    • Use of a recreational vehicle as storage or as an accessory structure is prohibited.
    • Use of a recreational vehicle or tent is prohibited within a residential district.
    • A recreational vehicle park or campground is subject to Special Use Review.
    • Construction, development, or alteration of a recreational vehicle park or campground requires a Land Use Permit issued under the Land Use Code.
    “C. Recreational Vehicle Use Restriction. Use of a recreational vehicle for storage purposes, as an accessory structure, or as a dwelling space for any purpose other than temporary dwelling for travel, recreation or vacation use is prohibited. The use of a recreational vehicle or tent is prohibited within a residential district.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Recreational-vehicle occupancy and use in county zoning districts.
      “Use of a recreational vehicle for storage purposes, as an accessory structure, or as a dwelling space for any purpose other than temporary dwelling for travel, recreation or vacation use is prohibited. The use of a recreational vehicle or tent is prohibited within a residential district.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary camping and campground development in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • A recreational vehicle park or campground is subject to special-use review.
    • Construction, development, or alteration of an RV park or campground requires a land-use permit.
    • RV or tent use is prohibited within a residential district.
    “The use of a recreational vehicle or tent is prohibited within a residential district.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured/mobile-home placement and residential use in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • A valid Land Use Construction Permit is required for installation.
    • A permit and County Assessor mover permit are required for relocation.
    • Pre-1976 mobile homes are prohibited except legally nonconforming homes existing when the code was adopted, subject to proof, permitting, and state-certified inspection.
    • Mobile homes may not be used as storage accessory structures.

    skirting deadline: 60 calendar days

    “No person shall install a manufactured or mobile home in unincorporated Conejos County unless a valid Land Use Construction Permit has been issued by the Land Use Office.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    On-site wastewater treatment systems in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • County approval and inspection apply.
    • Systems must comply with Colorado Regulation 43 and the OWTS Act.
    “You cannot occupy a home that does not have a County/State approved Septic System.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • County (with conditions) — Onsite wastewater treatment systems in Conejos County.
      “Land Use staff manages the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) program, a/k/a septic system. Land Use is the regulating authority under the direction of the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Regulation 43 and the Conejos County Board of Health.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of septic/OWTS systems in Conejos County.

    • A double fee applies when installation begins before the permit.
    • The system must be installed under Regulation 43/OWTS Act before use.

    new system fee: 325 USD · alteration or repair fee: 200 USD

    “You must have a septic permit issued by the Land Use Office prior to installing a septic system. A double fee will be charged for beginning work before getting the permit.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New and existing septic/OWTS systems in Conejos County.

    • Existing systems require inspection by a licensed septic installer/cleaner.
    • Installation inspections require at least 24 hours' notice.
    • A second inspection fee of $50 applies if more than one inspection visit is required.
    • No inspections occur December 23 through January 3, during snow, or when the ground is frozen.

    inspection notice: >= 24 hours · second inspection fee: 50 USD (If the inspector must make more than one visit.)

    “Inspections during installation are required. If the system is engineered the design Engineer must approve the system as well as the County Inspector.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sewage disposal and sanitation in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • An approved septic/OWTS or other compliant wastewater system is required before occupancy.
    • Cesspools and outhouses are prohibited.
    “You cannot occupy a home that does not have a County/State approved Septic System. Cesspools and outhouses are prohibited.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Water, sewer, and other public utilities for development in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • Public utilities, where available, shall be used; if unavailable, alternative systems may be employed.
    • Where a public sanitary sewer main or special sanitation district service area is available, reasonable documented efforts to connect are required and it is the exclusive system used.
    “Where a public sanitary sewer main or service area of a special sanitation district is available, the applicant shall make every reasonable documented effort to connect to such a system and it shall be the exclusive system used.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Specified agricultural activities in Agricultural zoning areas of unincorporated Conejos County.

    • The listed activities are exempt from Land Use Permit requirements, but the exemption does not exempt construction permits.
    • State and federal regulations and other code provisions still apply.
    • The listed exemption does not automatically exempt every agricultural structure or activity.
    “The following uses and activities are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Land Use Permit if the use or activity is proposed for areas of the County that are zoned Agricultural.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Specified agricultural uses and activities in Agricultural and Rural districts.
      “Exemption from Land Use Permit requirements does not exempt a use or activity from Construction Permit requirements pursuant to Division 5.7.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Division of land, minor subdivisions, major subdivisions, and related subdivision applications in Conejos County.

    • Subdivision review includes county review, planning commission or board action where applicable, water and wastewater evidence, access, utilities, drainage, and other code requirements.
    “The Land Use Office is responsible for the administration and processing of applications for building permits, all subdivisions of land to include division of land, boundary line adjustments, lot consolidations, lot line revisions, large lot (>35 acres) developments, minor (3-6 lots) subdivisions, major (7 or more) subdivisions, amendments to major subdivisions, re-zoning, special (conditional) use permits, variances, vacation of public way, and other land use cases/matters.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Access to property for development and construction in Conejos County.

    • An access permit is required under CCLUC Article 14.
    • The county page states that a county driveway permit or CDOT access permit may be required, depending on the road or driveway.

    access permit fee: 100 USD

    “Access to and from the property shall be safe and conform to applicable standards. An access permit is required per Conejos County Land Use Code (CCLUC) Article 14.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development in designated or identified floodplains, including major subdivisions and PUDs, in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • Floodplain development must comply with county building and land-use provisions and applicable FEMA minimum standards.
    • Major subdivisions and PUDs in a designated 100-year floodplain are subject to Section 5.520.B before preliminary-plan submission.
    • Base flood elevation data is required for major subdivision, PUD, and other proposed development containing at least 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is less.
    • Water, sewer, and on-site waste-disposal systems must be designed and located to minimize flood impacts.

    floodplain threshold: 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is less

    “All proposed development within a designated or identified floodplain located within a proposed major subdivision or PUD shall comply with the building and land use provisions of this Code and all applicable provisions of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) minimum standards and regulation for land use and construction in the identified floodplain.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Published fees and charges for access, addressing, septic/OWTS, inspections, and county construction use tax.

    • Fees vary by permit or activity.
    • A 2 percent county construction and building-materials use tax is deposited at permit issuance.
    • Double septic fees apply for installation without a permit.

    access permit fee: 100 USD · address application fee: 50 USD (Includes an E911-approved reflective address sign.) · new OWTS fee: 325 USD · OWTS alteration or repair fee: 200 USD · county construction and building-materials use tax: 2 percent (Paid by estimate when building/construction permits are issued.)

    “Applications can be obtained at the Land Use Office. New systems $325.00 and Alterations & Repairs $200.00. Double fees apply for installation without a permit.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County building/construction permit process in unincorporated Conejos County.

    • The published process includes access, physical address, soil evaluation, well permits, construction permit, OWTS permit, and state electrical/plumbing/gas permits.
    • Building applications require proof of legal water, proof of legal sanitation, possible driveway or CDOT access permit, HOA approval if applicable, and complete construction drawings.
    “LAND USE STEP BY STEP BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION PROCESS”

Colorado rules that apply here

  • Tiny homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Colorado Division of Housing-regulated tiny homes intended for residential occupancy and long-term living.

    • Plans must be submitted to the Colorado Division of Housing for approval before construction of the units.
    • The unit must satisfy applicable Colorado-adopted codes and standards and local zoning requirements.
    • Tiny home units are certified for the specific site where installed; relocation to another Colorado site requires the applicable design criteria, and design differences require revisions.

    foundation types: permanent or temporary

    “Tiny homes are approved for long term living”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    One accessory dwelling unit as an accessory use to a single-unit detached dwelling in a Colorado subject jurisdiction where single-unit detached dwellings are allowed.

    • The rule applies to a subject jurisdiction: either a municipality with a population of at least 1,000 within a metropolitan planning organization, or the portion of a county within a census-designated place of at least 40,000 people that is also within a metropolitan planning organization.
    • The subject jurisdiction must allow the ADU through an administrative approval process.
    • The rule applies on or after June 30, 2025.
    • The state requirement does not establish that every Colorado municipality or county area is a subject jurisdiction.

    maximum required ADUs per single-unit detached dwelling: 1 unit · effective date: >= 2025-06-30 · qualifying municipality population: >= 1000 persons (municipality must also be within a metropolitan planning organization) · qualifying census-designated-place population: >= 40000 persons (county portion must also be within a metropolitan planning organization)

    “Section 1 requires a subject jurisdiction, on or after June 30, 2025, to allow, subject to an administrative approval process, one accessory dwelling unit”
  • Well permitRequired

    Every new groundwater-diverting well in Colorado, including residential wells, subject to statutory exemptions and basin-specific rules.

    • The Division of Water Resources administers groundwater permitting and issues permits.
    • Applicants must complete the appropriate application and pay the associated fee.
    • Statutory exemptions and additional Denver Basin or Designated Basin rules may affect the requirement or permit conditions.
    • In many areas, a well may also require an augmentation plan if its priority is not sufficient to divert in priority.

    complete-application review time: <= 49 days (DWR states review of complete new and replacement applications may take up to 49 days)

    “Every new well in the state that diverts groundwater must have a well permit.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Water supplies serving construction in Conejos County.
      “STEP 4: WELL PERMITS: All water supplies shall be in accordance with applicable state and local laws & regulations. Contact the Division of Water Resources for well permits – Alamosa 719-589-6683.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals statewide, defined in the cited official source as lodging-unit rentals for fewer than 30 days.

    • There is no statewide STR regulatory scheme.
    • Boards of county commissioners may license and regulate STR owners or agencies and set license fees, terms, issuance, and revocation procedures.
    • Home-rule municipalities and private contracts or homeowners' association covenants may impose additional restrictions.

    maximum rental duration for STR definition: < 30 days

    “There are no statewide regulations regarding STRs. As established through House Bill 20-1093, state law allows for boards of county commissioners (BOCCs) to license and regulate an owner or owner’s agency and to fix the fees, terms, and manner for issuing and revoking licenses.”
  • Campground & park staysAllowed (with conditions)

    Temporary overnight camping, including parking a motor home or traveler, on land and water under the control of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, including state parks and state recreation areas.

    • The source addresses lands and waters under the control of the Division of Parks and Wildlife, not all public or private land statewide.
    • Camping includes parking a motor vehicle, motor home, or traveler for the apparent purpose of overnight occupancy.
    • A commission-issued permit may be required; the statute defines permits to include campground permits and electrical hookup permits.
    • The state may charge fees for required passes or permits for use of any state park or state recreation area where supervision, maintenance, or specified facilities warrant a fee.

    overnight occupancy: true (Camping definition includes the parking of a motor vehicle, motor home, or traveler for the apparent purpose of overnight occupancy.) · permit types: campground permits; electrical hookup permits

    “Develop state parks and state recreation areas suitable for such recreational activities as camping, [...] "Camping" means [...] the parking of a motor vehicle, motor home, or traveler”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Colorado counties adopting zoning plans for all or any part of unincorporated territory.

    • The county planning commission may make the zoning plan; in a county having a county planning commission, it must do so upon order by the board of county commissioners.
    • The zoning plan may regulate districts or zones, including building location, height, bulk, size, lot coverage, lot size, open spaces, population density, building and land uses, and access to sunlight for solar energy devices.
    • The plan may include regulations for uses on or along storm or floodwater runoff channels or basins only when the channel or basin has been designated and approved by the Colorado water conservation board, to lessen or avoid hazards from storm or floodwaters.
    • The statute applies to unincorporated territory and does not describe incorporated cities or towns as within this county zoning grant.
    “zoning all or any part of the unincorporated territory within such county”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Colorado counties adopting and enforcing building codes and requiring building permits in designated unincorporated areas.

    • A board of county commissioners may adopt a building code in all or part of the county, but the area must not be within the limits of an incorporated city or town.
    • Buildings or structures used solely to shelter agricultural implements, farm products, livestock, or poultry may be excepted from the building code and permit requirement.
    • Before adoption, the county planning commission may designate part or all of the county for the building code upon request from the board of county commissioners; the board must hold a public hearing and publish notice once weekly for four consecutive weeks.
    • After adoption of the building code, construction, reconstruction, alteration, or remodeling in the designated area requires a building permit, except for the agricultural-shelter exception.
    • The board must fix a reasonable schedule of building-permit fees; no permit fee may be charged unless a qualified inspector actually performs an inspection.
    • Plans must conform to the building code, and plans and specifications generally must bear the seal of a Colorado-licensed architect or engineer unless exempted by section 12-120-403.
    • Every county adopting or updating a building code must adopt and enforce an energy code meeting or exceeding one of the three most recent International Energy Conservation Code versions under section 30-28-211.
    • The 2025 amendment to section 30-28-204 is effective January 1, 2026 and adds accessibility requirements for substantially amended or updated county building codes, with an exception for compliant one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes.
    “A board of county commissioners is authorized to adopt ordinances and a building code”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions from construction permits in unincorporated Conejos County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements in unincorporated Conejos County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Conejos County.

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.

Water rights & wells in Conejos County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Colorado’s water agency.

Over-appropriated / declining

The aquifer here is over-appropriated and declining. A domestic well is usually still permit-exempt, but long-term supply is a genuine risk.

Household wellExempt up to a limit

A household obtains water via a permit-exempt small-capacity well (15 gpm) under CRS 37-92-602 outside designated basins or CRS 37-90-105 inside them; on a 35-acre-plus lot limited outside/stock/1-acre irrigation is allowed.

Limit: Household-use-only well: 15 gpm, ≤0.33 acre-ft/yr, indoor only. Domestic well on a 35+ acre tract: 15 gpm, ≤1 acre-ft/yr.

Colorado DWR — Guideline 2023-1, Exempt & Small-Capacity Wells ↗
  • San Luis Valley / Rio Grande Basin (Water Division 3) — groundwater rules & RGWCD subdistrictsmajority of county

    Upper Rio Grande Basin governed by the 2021 Rules Governing Withdrawal of Groundwater in Division 3 and the Rio Grande Water Conservation District subdistricts (No. 1-6 + Trinchera). Confined and unconfined aquifers are over-appropriated; new consumptive appropriations are effectively unavailable, wells must replace injurious depletions, and subdistricts impose pumping curtailment/fees with State-Engineer curtailment for unresolved depletions.

    Colorado DWR — Designated Basins / Division 3 ↗

Prior-appropriation state (first in time, first in right). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Colorado state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Conejos County, Colorado

Is Conejos County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Conejos County scores 61/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 7,469 people within a 30-minute drive. Watch-outs: thin water margin (17.3″/yr rainfall).

Do you need a building permit in Conejos County, Colorado?

Conejos County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Conejos County Land Use / Board of Health (OWTS under CDPHE Regulation 43). These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Conejos County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Conejos County is prohibited: Long-term or non-temporary dwelling occupancy of a recreational vehicle on private land in unincorporated Conejos County. A recreational vehicle may be used only as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreation, or vacation use. Use of a recreational vehicle as storage or as an accessory structure is prohibited. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Conejos County, Colorado?

Land in Conejos County runs about $2,984 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Conejos County?

Conejos County gets about 17.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 31.6% of years. On water rights, Conejos County lies in the San Luis Valley / Rio Grande Basin (Water Division 3) — groundwater rules & RGWCD subdistricts — Upper Rio Grande Basin governed by the 2021 Rules Governing Withdrawal of Groundwater in Division 3 and the Rio Grande Water Conservation District subdistricts (No. 1-6 + Trinchera). Confined and unconfined aquifers are over-appropriated; new consumptive appropriations are effectively unavailable, wells must replace injurious depletions, and subdistricts impose pumping curtailment/fees with State-Engineer curtailment for unresolved depletions..

How remote is Conejos County?

A representative private-land location has about 7,469 people within a 30-minute drive and 88,497 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Conejos compares in Colorado

Compare side-by-side →See all 64 Colorado counties ranked →