Bolthole Index

Custer County, Colorado

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

63Index Score / 100
#10 of 64 in Colorado

Unincorporated Custer County, Colorado requires a zoning permit for a new home and other covered construction, even though the county has not adopted a structural building code12. Planning & Zoning handles the permit process and septic approvals34. Before excavation or foundation work begins, confirm the parcel's zoning, water source, septic approval and access requirements15.

At a glance

Building permit
A county zoning permit is required for new homes and other covered construction1
Building code
No structural building code adopted for unincorporated Custer County2
Zoning
Yes; unincorporated land is zoned by density6
Septic (OWTS)
A county septic permit and inspection are required for new systems78
RV living
Primary-residence use needs a Tiny House / RV Permit; recreational use without approved septic is time-limited9
Tiny home
A tiny house on a foundation used as a primary residence needs a special county permit10
Owner-builder
No exemption was confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning before relying on one11
Well
Every new groundwater-diverting well needs a Colorado well permit, subject to statutory and basin-specific rules12

Who to call

Building permits

Custer County Planning & Zoning Department

Zoning and land-use applications, dwelling and accessory-structure permits, subdivision review, and septic (OWTS) permits for Custer County

719-783-2669

[email protected]

Custer County Courthouse, 205 S 6th Street, Westcliffe, CO 81252

Online permits →

Roads & driveways

Custer County Road & Bridge Department

Driveway-access, excavation and other permits for work involving county roads and rights-of-way

719-783-2281

[email protected]

213 N 4th Street, Westcliffe, CO 81252

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

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

Yes, but Custer County's terminology matters: unincorporated Custer County requires a zoning permit for dwellings, additions and other covered construction, while the county has not adopted a structural building code12. A zoning permit must be issued before excavation, construction, reconstruction, a square-footage-increasing repair or remodel, or a change of use begins1. A dwelling permit also depends on an approved septic permit, a legally adequate and physically available water source, and compliance with the zoning resolution1.

The absence of a county structural code does not remove project closeout requirements: applicable rough-in and final electrical and plumbing inspections must be complete, and a county compliance inspection checks the structure, sewage disposal, water and other zoning commitments13. The structure must be dried in within 2 years and completed within 3 years after permit issuance13.

Who issues Custer County building permits, and how do you reach them?

Custer County Planning & Zoning administers land-use rules and building permits and also reviews septic systems, so it is the first office to contact for a rural home project4. The office is in the Custer County Courthouse at 205 S 6th Street in Westcliffe and accepts permit applications through its online system4.

Applications may be submitted online or by mail or in person, and a zoning application requires the applicable fee, proof of ownership, a plot plan, floor plan and elevation drawing14. Permit fees are non-refundable, and the county collects a 2% use tax when a building or septic permit is issued, based on estimated building-material purchases15. Custer County has not confirmed an owner-builder exemption, so a person planning to serve as their own builder should ask Planning & Zoning what trade licensing, state inspections and documentation will apply before filing114.

Does Custer County have zoning?

Unincorporated Custer County is zoned by density, and county zoning governs land and structures there6. The published districts have minimum lot areas of 80 acres in Zone I Grape Creek, 35 acres in Zone II Sangre de Cristo, 10 acres in Zone III Wet Mountain/Hardscrabble and 5 acres in Zone IV Foothills, subject to the resolution's adjustments and other requirements16.

Setbacks vary with parcel size: land of at least 3 acres generally uses a 50-foot property-line or roadway-easement setback, land between one-half acre and 3 acres uses 25 feet, and land of one-half acre or less uses 10 feet17. Where no recorded roadway easement exists, the larger-parcel rule also requires 60 feet from the driven roadway surface17. Structures are limited to 30 feet in height, and on parcels larger than one-half acre all structures together may cover no more than 10% of the gross parcel1819. Ask Planning & Zoning to identify the parcel's district and verify the site plan before design work begins4.

How do septic permits work in Custer County?

Custer County Planning & Zoning reviews and approves on-site wastewater treatment systems and processes septic permits, modifications and repairs4. A new septic system requires a county permit before construction, and a dwelling permit cannot issue without an approved septic system7. Modifications, repairs and upgrades require inspection and approval, while Colorado also requires a final inspection after permitted work is complete and before the system is used820.

Site feasibility deserves early attention: only 3.4% of Custer County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field21. That soil rating does not decide an individual parcel, but it makes a site evaluation and possible engineered design a sensible early contingency21. A residence or business needs a county-approved permanent septic system before occupancy, and a vault system requires a variance approved by the Custer County Board of Health22. Wastewater cannot be discharged onto the ground or into creeks, streams or other water bodies22.

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

An RV used as a primary residence in unincorporated Custer County requires a special Tiny House / RV Permit and remains subject to zoning rules9. Recreational occupancy of an RV, tent, teepee, yurt or similar structure may not exceed 90 days during the 12-month period beginning January 1 without an approved septic system; setbacks still apply, and Planning & Zoning may require proof of disposal at an approved dump site23.

A tiny house on a foundation used as a primary residence also requires a special county permit and must meet the applicable septic, water, setback and height requirements10. Colorado Division of Housing-regulated tiny homes intended for long-term living need state plan approval before construction and still must satisfy local zoning24. Custer County has not confirmed a minimum dwelling floor area, so ask Planning & Zoning to review the proposed design rather than assuming that a small footprint is automatically allowed4.

Building a home in Custer County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Planning & Zoning to confirm the parcel's zoning district, minimum lot area, setbacks, height limit and allowed residential use25161718.
  2. Establish a legally adequate, physically available water source; every new groundwater-diverting well in Colorado needs a state well permit, subject to statutory and basin-specific rules112.
  3. Complete the septic site work and obtain county OWTS approval before the dwelling permit7.
  4. Resolve access: Road & Bridge handles driveway permits involving county roads, while direct access to a state highway requires a CDOT permit52627.
  5. Submit the zoning-permit application with the fee, ownership proof, plot plan, floor plan and elevation drawing before excavation begins141.
  6. Complete applicable electrical and plumbing inspections, the septic inspection and the county compliance inspection before closing the permit and occupying the home138.

What should you check before buying land in Custer County?

Start with buildable area, not acreage alone: confirm the zoning district, parcel boundaries, road easements, setbacks and the combined structure-coverage limit with Planning & Zoning2517194. Confirm legal and physical access as well, because access intersecting a county-maintained road requires a county permit and inspection, while a state-highway connection goes through CDOT5.

Water and septic can determine whether the plan works: Colorado requires a permit for a new groundwater-diverting well, and only 3.4% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field1221. Floodplain-development requirements were not confirmed in the county materials, so ask Planning & Zoning which floodplain map and local review apply to the parcel before closing4. The county is sparsely settled at 7.5 people per square mile, 53.6% of its land is wooded and 46.8% has a slope of 15% or less, making terrain, wildfire exposure and year-round access practical parts of due diligence282930. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.4%, with a median annual bill of about $1,3003132.

Watch-outs

  • Custer County has no adopted structural building code, but covered work still needs a zoning permit before excavation or foundation work begins21.
  • Only 3.4% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so test septic feasibility before committing to a house site21.
  • Custer County has not confirmed an owner-builder exemption or a minimum dwelling floor area; ask Planning & Zoning before relying on either assumption114.

Sources

  1. Building Permits & Applications | Custer County CO, quoted and re-checked
  2. Custer County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  3. Planning & Zoning | Custer County CO (2026 county census)
  4. Custer County Planning & Zoning Department (custercounty-co.gov)
  5. Road & Bridge | Custer County CO, quoted and re-checked
  6. Custer County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  7. Building Permits & Applications | Custer County CO, quoted and re-checked
  8. Building Permits & Applications | Custer County CO, quoted and re-checked
  9. Building Permits & Applications | Custer County CO, quoted and re-checked
  10. Building Permits & Applications | Custer County CO, quoted and re-checked
  11. (2026 county census)
  12. Water Administration (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Custer County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  14. Building Permits & Applications | Custer County CO, quoted and re-checked
  15. Building Permits & Applications | Custer County CO, quoted and re-checked
  16. Custer County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  17. Custer County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  18. Custer County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  19. Custer County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  20. Title 25 - Public Health and Environment - Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  22. Custer County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  23. Custer County Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  24. Consumers of Manufactured Homes and Tiny Homes - HUD (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Zoning Regulations | Custer County CO, quoted and re-checked
  26. Custer County Road & Bridge Department (custercounty-co.gov)
  27. Access Permits | Frequently Asked Questions (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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

Custer County in Colorado

63
County map
Custer County highlighted among the Colorado counties · colored by Index score

How Custer County scores

Seclusion84100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency45100% ev.
Admin Boringness4190% ev.
Durability40100% ev.
Property Autonomy75100% ev.
Carry Cost80100% 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 →

$423kTypical home
0.4%Property tax
$3,662Land / acre
19.6"Annual rain
26% of yrsSevere drought
0.1 / yr (+0.1)Mid-century 100°F days
21.6 daysMid-century dry spell
1.5" (+9.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.37×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,213Home insurance / yr
3.6% / yrInsurance growth
0.83%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
998People within 30 min
700,968People within 2 hr
5,019Radius comparison (15 mi)
7.5People / sq mi
37.3%Federal land
46.8%Land at 15% slope or less
3.4%Septic soil without severe limits
15,201 acWorkable land screen
53.6%Wooded land
28.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
41.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Custer County

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

Custer County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New primary residences, manufactured homes, modular homes, dwellings, accessory structures, and other covered construction in unincorporated Custer County.

    • A zoning permit is required before excavation, construction, reconstruction, repair or remodeling that increases square footage, or change of use.
    • No structure or addition, including excavation and foundations, may be constructed or moved until the zoning permit is issued.
    • A dwelling permit requires an approved septic permit, legally adequate and physically available water source, and compliance with the zoning resolution.
    “All dwellings and additions to dwellings require a zoning permit.”
  • Building code adoptedNot adopted (with conditions)

    County building-code adoption for structures in unincorporated Custer County.

    • Structures are instead permitted through the zoning permit process.
    • The resolution identifies zoning, septic, height, setback, and use-tax requirements.
    “has not adopted a building code for structures built within the unincorporated area of the County.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction subject to county zoning-permit closure and compliance review.

    • Before an open zoning permit may be closed, rough-in and final electrical and plumbing inspections must be complete where applicable.
    • The structure must be dried-in within two years and completed within three years of permit issuance.
    • A compliance inspection must confirm the structure, sewage disposal system, water, and other zoning commitments comply.

    initial dried-in deadline: 2 years (from permit issuance) · completed phase deadline: 3 years (from permit issuance)

    “Proof must be provided that rough-in and final electrical and plumbing inspection are complete.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning in unincorporated Custer County.

    • The official resolution states that Custer County is zoned by density.
    • The zoning resolution applies to structures and land in the unincorporated area.
    “The entire County is zoned by density acreage allowing farming, ranching, and residential uses by right.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning districts and their published minimum lot areas in unincorporated Custer County.

    • The official county page identifies an official zoning districts map showing boundaries of all zoning classifications throughout the county.
    • The zoning resolution identifies Zone I Grape Creek, Zone II Sangre de Cristo, Zone III Wet Mountain/Hardscrabble, and Zone IV Foothills.
    “Official zoning districts map showing the boundaries of all zoning classifications throughout the county.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Minimum lot areas in the four county zoning districts.

    • Zone I may have sections less than 640 acres, and the minimum lot size may be adjusted where fairness requires compensation for irregular sections.
    • Other zoning, septic, subdivision, and variance requirements may also apply.

    Zone I Grape Creek minimum lot area: 80 acres · Zone II Sangre de Cristo minimum lot area: 35 acres · Zone III Wet Mountain/Hardscrabble minimum lot area: 10 acres · Zone IV Foothills minimum lot area: 5 acres

    “Minimum Lot Area: Thirty-five (35) acres.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Buildings and structures in unincorporated Custer County.

    • On property sized three acres or greater, buildings must be at least 50 feet from property lines or roadway easement boundaries and at least 60 feet from the driven surface of a roadway where no recorded roadway easement exists.
    • On property less than three acres but greater than one-half acre, the minimum setback is 25 feet from property lines, boundaries, or recorded roadway easements.
    • On property one-half acre or less, the minimum setback is 10 feet from surveyed property lines, boundaries, or recorded roadway easements.
    • Specified architectural features may project no more than three feet into a required setback; carports, decks, and accessory buildings may not infringe required setbacks.

    minimum setback for property >=3 acres: >= 50 feet (60 feet from driven roadway surface where no recorded roadway easement exists) · minimum setback for property >0.5 and <3 acres: 25 feet · minimum setback for property <=0.5 acre: 10 feet

    “less than fifty (50) feet from any property line or roadway easement boundary”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Gross land area covered collectively by all structures on parcels greater than one-half acre.

    • The limit applies to all structures collectively.
    • All structures over 100 square feet require a zoning permit before construction begins.

    maximum gross parcel coverage by all structures: <= 10 percent (parcels greater than one-half acre)

    “the gross land area covered by all structures collectively shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the gross parcel.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures in unincorporated Custer County.

    • Height is measured from the highest point of finished grade at the building perimeter to the high point of the building structure.
    • Backfill may not be used to circumvent the height requirement.
    • An owner notified of noncompliance must apply for an over-height variance within 60 days.

    maximum structure height: <= 30 feet · deadline to apply for over-height variance after notice: 60 days (after notification of noncompliance)

    “The maximum height limit for any structure in Custer County is thirty (30) feet.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational-vehicle occupancy, including RVs used as primary residences, in unincorporated Custer County.

    • An RV used as a primary residence requires a special Tiny House / RV Permit and is subject to zoning regulations.
    • Recreational occupancy of recreational vehicles cannot exceed 90 days within a 12-month period beginning January 1 without an approved septic system.
    • Setbacks apply and sewage must be disposed of at an approved dump site.

    maximum recreational occupancy without approved septic: <= 90 days per 12-month period (period begins January 1)

    “cannot be occupied for more than ninety (90) days within a twelve (12) month period beginning January 1st without an approved septic system.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Recreational occupancy of tents, teepees, yurts, RVs, and similar structures in unincorporated Custer County.

    • Occupancy may not exceed 90 days within a 12-month period beginning January 1 without an approved septic system.
    • Setbacks apply.
    • The Planning and Zoning Office may require proof that sewage is disposed of in an approved dump site.

    maximum occupancy without approved septic: <= 90 days per 12-month period (period begins January 1)

    “Recreational occupancy of recreational vehicles, tents, teepees, yurts, and any similar structures”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Tiny houses on foundations used for occupancy in unincorporated Custer County.

    • A special permit is required for tiny houses on foundations used as primary residences.
    • The use is subject to zoning regulations and other applicable septic, water, setback, and height requirements.
    “Special permit for tiny houses on foundations or recreational vehicles used as primary residences, subject to zoning regulations.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured, mobile, modular, or factory-built homes used for human habitation in unincorporated Custer County.

    • A dwelling permit is required for manufactured and modular homes.
    • Factory-built homes require an approved septic system and must comply with height and setback requirements.
    • Wheels must be removed if applicable and the home must be blocked and leveled with skirting and/or placed on a permanent foundation.
    • A factory-built home may not be transported within Custer County until a Road and Bridge permit is obtained.
    • Any factory-built home constructed after 1977 is eligible for a permit.

    eligibility construction date: > 1977 year (factory-built home)

    “Any factory built home constructed after 1977 shall be eligible for a permit.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Guest houses and other additional dwelling units in unincorporated Custer County.

    • A guest house requires a multi-dwelling variance before construction.
    • An approved septic system, height compliance, setback compliance, and human-habitation use are required.
    • A guest house may not be used as a short-term rental unless individually permitted.
    “Requires a Multi-dwelling Variance prior to construction;”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    On-site wastewater treatment systems in unincorporated Custer County.

    • The county administers county OWTS additions and authorizes septic permits.
    • State and county OWTS regulations both apply.
    • Vault systems require an approved variance from the Custer County Board of Health.
    “These state regulations form the baseline for all septic system installations.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New septic systems and septic installations or modifications in unincorporated Custer County.

    • New septic systems must comply with state and county OWTS regulations.
    • No septic tank system or other sewer facility may be constructed on a parcel or lot without a prior septic permit from the Planning and Zoning Office.
    • No dwelling permit may issue without an approved septic system.
    “it has a prior septic permit from the Planning and Zoning Office.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Septic systems and individual sewage disposal systems subject to county permit closure or modification review.

    • Septic modifications, repairs, or upgrades require inspection and approval from the Planning and Zoning Office.
    • Before compliance inspection, the individual sewage disposal system must be installed and have passed inspection, if applicable.
    “Requires inspection and approval from Planning & Zoning office.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Non-municipal sanitation and wastewater disposal in unincorporated Custer County.

    • A county-approved permanent septic system is required for residences and businesses before occupancy.
    • Vault systems require an approved variance from the Custer County Board of Health.
    • Wastewater may not be disposed onto or into the ground, creeks, streams, or bodies of water.
    • Land application at a county- and state-approved landfill is permissible only when permitted by CDPHE.
    “Vault systems must have an approved variance from the the Custer County Board of Health.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Division of land, lot-line adjustments, creation of parcels, and subdivision access in unincorporated Custer County.

    • The zoning resolution requires conformity with the Subdivision Regulations before a lot may be divided.
    • The county source identifies subdivision regulations adopted July 29, 2011.
    • Subdivision accesses intersecting county-maintained roads require permits and inspection, with proof of compliance submitted to Planning and Zoning.

    subdivision regulations adoption date: 2011-07-29

    “No owner shall have the right to divide any lot unless in conformity with all the regulations herein specified and the Subdivision Regulations.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Private access ways intersecting county-maintained rights-of-way in Custer County.

    • For a state highway, CDOT has jurisdiction.
    • For county-maintained roads, the County Road and Bridge Department has jurisdiction.
    • All accesses intersecting county-maintained roads require permits and inspection; permit fees are established by the BOCC.
    “Permits are required for all accesses that intersect County maintained roads”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning, building, septic, and related permit fees.

    • Applications require applicable fees and supporting documentation.
    • Fees are established by the Board of County Commissioners and maintained in the county fee schedule.
    • Permit fees are non-refundable.
    • A 2% county use tax is collected at issuance of any building or septic permit, based on estimated building-material purchases.
    • Late use-tax payment incurs a 10% penalty and 18% annual interest.

    county use tax: 2 percent (collected at issuance of any building or septic permit) · late use-tax penalty: 10 percent (of tax due) · late use-tax interest: 18 percent per annum (for delinquent payment)

    “Current fees for all permits, variances, applications, and planning & zoning services.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County building, zoning, septic, variance, and related permit applications.

    • Applications may be submitted online or by mail/in person.
    • Online applicants complete the application and upload required documents.
    • Mail or in-person applications go to the Planning and Zoning Office, PO Box 150, Westcliffe, Colorado 81252, or the courthouse.
    • Zoning applications require a permit fee, proof of ownership, plot plan, floor plan, and elevation drawing.
    • A construction zoning permit is valid for two years; dried-in construction is required within two years and completion within three years.

    zoning permit validity: 2 years (from issuance) · dried-in deadline: 2 years (from issuance) · completion deadline: 3 years (from issuance)

    “Complete the application and upload the required documents.”

Colorado rules that apply here

  • 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.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Residential or other occupied structures statewide that are not serviced by a sewage treatment works.

    • Colorado law conditions building and occupancy permitting on either service by a sewage treatment works or an approved OWTS process.
    • If the structure is not serviced by a sewage treatment works, the local public health agency must issue the OWTS permit before building construction or remodeling approval, and must complete a final inspection and approve the installation before occupancy approval.
    • This claim does not establish a universal statewide mandate to connect to a particular municipal water or sewer provider.
    “A permit to construct or remodel a building or structure that is not serviced by a sewage treatment works until the local public health agency has issued a permit for an on-site wastewater treatment system;”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in floodplain areas subject to Colorado floodplain-management requirements, and state-owned land in counties or municipalities that do not participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.

    • Local floodplain regulations must equal or exceed FEMA National Flood Insurance Program minimum design and construction criteria.
    • Local floodplain regulations must comply with Colorado Water Conservation Board rules and regulations for regulatory floodplains.
    • The state program applies to development on state-owned land in counties and municipalities that do not participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.
    “Local government floodplain management regulations for development in floodplain areas must equal or exceed the federal emergency management agency's national flood insurance program's (national flood insurance program) minimum design and construction criteria and must comply with the Colorado water conservation board's (CWCB) rules and regulations for regulatory floodplains in Colorado.”
  • 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 county permitting or inspections.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements in unincorporated Custer County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area in unincorporated Custer County.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural-use exemptions from county permitting or zoning requirements.

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.

Living off-grid in Custer County, Colorado

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

Custer County scores 63/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: sparse surroundings — about 998 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: elevated current hazard exposure and more administrative friction around building and land use.

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

Custer County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Custer County Planning & Zoning / Environmental Health (OWTS program). 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 Custer County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Custer County is limited to specific cases: Recreational-vehicle occupancy, including RVs used as primary residences, in unincorporated Custer County. An RV used as a primary residence requires a special Tiny House / RV Permit and is subject to zoning regulations. Recreational occupancy of recreational vehicles cannot exceed 90 days within a 12-month period beginning January 1 without an approved septic system. A tiny home is limited to specific cases. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Custer County, Colorado?

Land in Custer County runs about $3,662 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Custer County?

Custer County gets about 19.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 26% of years.

How remote is Custer County?

A representative private-land location has about 998 people within a 30-minute drive and 700,968 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 Custer County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Custer compares in Colorado

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