Bolthole Index

La Plata County, Colorado

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Durango, Colorado

Inside Durango, Colorado, the city requires a building permit before covered work or ground disturbance begins, and city zoning still applies when a project is exempt from a building permit.1 Durango assigns every property inside city limits to a zoning district, while La Plata County Public Health describes itself as the countywide on-site wastewater authority; confirm sewer or septic service for the specific city parcel before designing.23

At a glance

Building permit
Required before covered work or ground disturbance begins inside city limits1
Zoning
Every city parcel has a zone with use and dimensional standards2
Building code
Durango enforces the 2024 I-Codes for current submittals4
Septic
County Public Health states it is the countywide OWTS authority; confirm applicability to the city parcel3
RV living
Camping or sleeping in an RV is prohibited on streets, public rights-of-way and city-managed parking; private-land occupancy is unconfirmed5
Accessory dwelling
Many second units need a special use permit and all must meet the parcel's zoning standards6

Who to call

Building permits

City of Durango Community Development

City building, planning, zoning and development questions for property inside Durango city limits

970-375-4850

[email protected]

150 Mercury Village Drive, Durango

Online permits →

Septic permits

La Plata County Public Health, Environmental Health Division (OWTS Team)

Questions about OWTS permits, inspections and continued-use permits in La Plata County; confirm whether an address inside Durango uses an OWTS or public sewer

970-828-8842

[email protected]

185 Suttle Street, Durango, CO 81303

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Durango, Colorado?

Yes, for work covered by Durango's permit requirement. A city building permit must be obtained before covered work or ground disturbance starts inside Durango city limits.1 A project that does not require a building permit must still comply with the Land Use and Development Code.1

Durango enforces the 2024 I-Codes for current submittals, together with the applicable electrical-ready, solar-ready, electrical and wildfire-resiliency requirements identified by the city.4 Ask Community Development for the current building-permit fee calculation before budgeting. Inspections are part of permitted construction, and the city requires advance notice before an inspection.7

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

City of Durango Community Development is the first stop for a building permit, zoning review and parcel-specific development questions inside city limits. The office can be reached at 970-375-4850 or [email protected], and the city directs applicants to its OpenGov permit portal.8 The office relocated to 150 Mercury Village Drive, Durango.8

A building-permit application is reviewed under both the building codes and the Land Use and Development Code, so zoning questions should be resolved before a complete construction submittal.1 For permitted work, inspections require 24-hour notice, the contractor, agent or owner must be present, and the construction plans must be available on site.7 A certificate of occupancy is required for a new residential structure before the building is treated as ready for occupancy.9

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

Durango has municipal zoning, and every property inside city limits is assigned to a zone that controls allowable uses and standards such as building height, setbacks and lot coverage.2 The city publishes a zoning map and Land Use and Development Code, so the correct answer for a proposed house depends on the parcel's district and any overlay.10

We could not confirm one citywide minimum lot size or minimum dwelling size. Ask Community Development for the parcel's district standards before relying on a listing or preliminary site plan. Many attached or detached second units require a special use permit, and every second unit must meet its zone standards or obtain the necessary relief before a building-permit application.6 Colorado can certify qualifying tiny homes for long-term living, but local zoning and applicable codes still control where one may be installed in Durango.11

How do septic permits work inside Durango?

La Plata County Public Health states that it is the regulatory authority for on-site wastewater treatment system permitting throughout La Plata County.3 The county requires an OWTS permit before a system is constructed, altered or repaired.12 However, the available material does not clearly establish when a parcel inside Durango may use an OWTS instead of municipal sewer, so confirm the service arrangement with City Community Development and the county OWTS Team before buying or designing.

The OWTS Team can be reached at 970-828-8842 or [email protected] at 185 Suttle Street, Durango, CO 81303.13 Only 5.1% of La Plata County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field; that countywide figure makes a parcel-specific soil and system review especially important.14

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

Durango prohibits camping or sleeping in an RV, camper, motor home or similar vehicle while it is on a street, public right-of-way, or city-owned or city-managed parking lot.5 That rule does not establish whether someone may occupy an RV on private land, and we could not confirm a general private-land exception for living in one while building. Ask Community Development for a written answer tied to the parcel, duration, utilities and zoning district.

A tiny home is not automatically exempt from land-use or building review. Colorado recognizes qualifying tiny homes for long-term living when state design approval, applicable codes and local zoning requirements are satisfied.11 Durango's own zoning district still controls the use, setbacks, height and lot coverage, and covered construction still requires a city building permit.21

Building a home in Durango: what are the steps?

  1. Confirm that the parcel is inside Durango city limits, then ask Community Development for its zoning district, overlays, allowed residential use and dimensional standards.2
  2. Determine whether the site will use municipal sewer or an OWTS; for a proposed OWTS, contact the La Plata County Public Health OWTS Team before design.313
  3. Submit the city building-permit application and plans before beginning covered work or disturbing the ground.1
  4. Budget with the current city fee schedule and satisfy the codes in force for the submittal.4
  5. Request each required inspection with 24-hour notice and keep the approved construction plans on site.7
  6. Complete the required city and utility approvals and obtain the certificate of occupancy before occupying the new home.9

What should you check before buying land in Durango?

Start by verifying that the parcel is actually inside Durango city limits, because city zoning applies only there and La Plata County administers land-use rules outside the city.2 Ask Community Development to identify the district, overlays, allowed dwelling type, setbacks, height, lot coverage and any special-use review.2

Confirm sewer and water service before treating the property as buildable. If an OWTS is proposed, involve La Plata County Public Health early; countywide soil data show that conventional drain-field conditions are severely limited on most land.314 If a private well is proposed, Colorado requires a permit for a new groundwater-diverting well, subject to applicable exceptions and basin rules.15 Also identify flood hazards and legal access, and remember that direct residential access to a state highway requires a state access permit.1617

Watch-outs

  • A building-permit exemption does not waive Durango zoning, height, setback, landscaping or other land-use requirements.1
  • Sleeping in an RV is prohibited on Durango streets, public rights-of-way and city-owned or managed parking lots; the cited rule does not resolve occupancy on private land.5
  • Most second units face parcel-specific zoning review, and many require a special use permit before a building-permit application.6

Sources

  1. Applying for a Building Permit (Durango), quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning (Durango), quoted and re-checked
  3. La Plata County Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  4. Building Codes (Durango), quoted and re-checked
  5. Sec. 17-65. Occupancy of certain motor vehicles in public rights-of-way (Durango), quoted and re-checked
  6. Residential Property Services (Durango), quoted and re-checked
  7. Building Inspections (Durango), quoted and re-checked
  8. City of Durango Community Development (durangoco.gov)
  9. Certificate of Occupancy (Durango), quoted and re-checked
  10. Zoning (Durango), quoted and re-checked
  11. Consumers of Manufactured Homes and Tiny Homes - HUD (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. La Plata County Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  13. La Plata County Public Health, Environmental Health Division (OWTS Team) (lpcgov.org)
  14. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  15. Water Administration (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. SB24-179 Floodplain Management Program (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Access Permits | Frequently Asked Questions (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 10, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Durango

Durango’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Work or ground disturbance within Durango city limits when a building permit is required.

    • The permit must be obtained before work or ground disturbance begins.
    • If a project does not require a building permit, the Land Use and Development Code still applies.
    • A state permit may be required before the City issues a demolition permit.
    “A building permit must be obtained prior to the start of any work or ground disturbance within City limits. If the project does not require a building permit, requirements of the Land Use and Development Code still apply.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Buildings and structures within Durango city limits.

    • The City enforces the 2024 I-Codes as of January 1, 2026.
    • New submittals must also comply with the 2023 NEC, Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code, and, as of April 1, 2026, the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code.
    • Projects with full vertical construction drawings designed to the 2018 I-Codes and submitted before January 1, 2026 may remain under the 2018 I-Codes.
    “As of 01/01/2026 the Building Division is enforcing the 2024 I-Codes.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction within Durango city limits.

    • Inspections require 24-hour notice.
    • Inspections are not performed without required permits.
    • The contractor, agent, or owner must be present and construction plans must be on site.
    • A failed inspection incurs a $125 reinspection fee in 2026, payable before the final inspection phase.

    inspection notice: 24 hours · reinspection fee: 125 USD (2026 fee; paid before final inspection phase)

    “24-hour notice is required for all inspections. Your inspection will be scheduled the following work day. Inspections will not be performed without required permits.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New commercial and residential structures, occupancy-classification changes, and additions increasing occupancy square footage inside Durango city limits.

    • For IRC construction, Engineering and Building Division inspections must be approved; the building must be complete; utilities and state inspections must be approved; driveways must be asphalt or concrete; address numbers must be posted; site improvements must be complete or covered by an on-site improvements agreement; cross-control approval and energy certificates are required; Twin Buttes or Three Springs final acceptance applies if applicable.
    • IBC projects additionally require Chapter 17 special-inspection documents, required fire-system approvals, and necessary state approvals.
    “As defined by the City's adopted International Codes, a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is required for new commercial and residential structures, for occupancy classification changes, and for additions which increase the square footage of occupancies.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    All property within Durango city limits.

    • The City's Land Use and Development Code establishes zoning districts, allowable land uses, land-use processes, and zoning rules.
    “Each piece of property within the city limits is assigned to a zone that lists allowable uses and sets standards such as building height, setbacks, lot coverage, etc.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Properties within Durango city limits.

    • The City directs users to the zoning map and Land Use and Development Code for district-specific standards.
    • The zoning page does not reproduce the complete district schedule.
    “The Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) lays out Durango's zoning districts, allowable land uses, land use processes, and other zoning-related rules.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Each property according to its assigned Durango zone district, including EN-1 through EN-6, Planned Development, and other residential districts.

    • The applicable zone standards must be met or a variance/alternative-compliance approval obtained.
    “Each piece of property within the city limits is assigned to a zone that lists allowable uses and sets standards such as building height, setbacks, lot coverage, etc.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Each property according to its assigned Durango zone district.

    • The applicable zone standards must be met or a variance/alternative-compliance approval obtained.
    “Each piece of property within the city limits is assigned to a zone that lists allowable uses and sets standards such as building height, setbacks, lot coverage, etc.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Each property according to its assigned Durango zone district.

    • The applicable zone standards must be met or a variance/alternative-compliance approval obtained.
    “Each piece of property within the city limits is assigned to a zone that lists allowable uses and sets standards such as building height, setbacks, lot coverage, etc.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Camping or sleeping in recreational vehicles and similar vehicles on streets, public rights-of-way, or city-owned or managed parking lots inside Durango.

    • The prohibition concerns public rights-of-way and city-owned or managed parking lots; private-land RV occupancy was not established by this source.
    “It shall be unlawful for any person to occupy any boat, camper trailer, camper coach, motor home, trailer coach, recreational vehicle, truck, commercial vehicle, or school bus [...] for the purposes of camping or sleeping while such vehicle is located in any street, public right-of-way or city owned or managed parking lot within the city.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Attached or detached second units on residential property inside Durango city limits.

    • Many second units require a Special Use Permit.
    • All second units must satisfy the applicable zone-district standards or obtain variances.
    • Established Neighborhoods EN-1 through EN-6 use their LUDC standards or EN Alternative Compliance; Planned Developments require planning-staff direction.
    “Many second units require a Special Use Permit (SUP). All second units shall meet the required zoning standards for your particular zone district, or seek variances, before you can apply for a building permit.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Building-permit fees for construction inside Durango city limits.

    • Fees depend on total valuation and project type.
    • For residential new construction, the fee schedule uses living-space square footage multiplied by $167.37 per square foot; garage/utility space uses $66.48 per square foot.
    • The cited schedule is titled effective October 1, 2024.

    residential new-construction valuation factor: 167.37 USD per square foot (living space) · residential garage or utility valuation factor: 66.48 USD per square foot

    “For residential new construction: Multiply sqft of living space by $167.37 / sqft For residential garage / utility space: Multiply sqft of garage / utility space by $66.48 / sqft”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Durango or La Plata County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for construction inside Durango city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential zone districts inside Durango city limits.
  • Minimum lot size — Residential zone districts inside Durango city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Durango city limits.
  • Who permits septic — On-site wastewater regulation inside Durango city limits.
5 more unanswered
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption

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

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