Bolthole Index

Phillips County, Colorado

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

42Index Score / 100
#52 of 64 in Colorado

Unincorporated Phillips County, Colorado requires an approved building permit for projects that increase a structure's size or cost more than $1,000.1 A single-family home needs a building permit even though the home and its incidental accessory uses do not need a land-use-change permit.2 Septic permitting for land outside city sewer service goes through the Northeast Colorado Health Department.3

At a glance

Building permit
Required when a project increases a structure's size or costs more than $1,0001
Zoning
Yes; Phillips County administers land-use permits and dimensional requirements4
Septic
NCHD permit required for a new or repaired system when the building is not on city sewer56
RV living
Private-land occupancy rule not confirmed; ask Phillips County Planning & Zoning before moving in2
Tiny home
State-regulated units can be approved for long-term living but must satisfy county zoning7
Owner-builder
No county exemption confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning what plans and licensed trades are required82
Minimum home size
No countywide minimum confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning for the parcel's district standards42
Water well
A Colorado permit is required for a new groundwater well, subject to exceptions and basin rules9

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Phillips County Planning & Zoning

Building permits, land-use applications, zoning questions, variances and subdivision exemptions

970-854-3778

[email protected]

221 S. Interocean Ave., Holyoke, CO 80734

Septic permits

Northeast Colorado Health Department, Logan, Phillips & Sedgwick Counties

On-site wastewater treatment system permits, site evaluations and inspections for Phillips County

(970) 522-3741

700 Columbine St. Sterling, CO 80751

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

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

Yes. Unincorporated Phillips County requires an approved building permit when work increases a structure's size or costs more than $1,000.1 The county specifically says that construction of one single-family dwelling and incidental accessory uses on one lot requires a building permit, although that project does not require a land-use-change permit.2

For a residence, Phillips County requires a contractor's drawing or blueprints, and all building-permit applications need cost sheets or receipts supporting the project cost.2 Because the published trigger covers both size increases and cost, a project can require approval even when it does not add floor area.2 Contact Planning & Zoning before ordering materials so the office can identify the required application and current review requirements.2

Who handles building and land-use permits in Phillips County?

Phillips County Planning & Zoning is the county contact for building permits, land-use applications, zoning questions, variances and subdivision exemptions.2 The office is in the county Administration Office at 221 S. Interocean Avenue in Holyoke, and its published phone number for questions is 970-854-3778.2

Phillips County uses administrative, minor and major classes of land-use permits, with the required class determined after an application is filed.2 A land-use-change application is required when land use changes, but one single-family dwelling and incidental accessory uses on one lot are treated differently: no land-use-change permit is required, while the building permit still is.2 Incorporated municipalities may have their own approval process, because Colorado county zoning authority concerns unincorporated territory.10

Does Phillips County, Colorado have zoning?

Yes. Phillips County has a Planning & Zoning office and administers administrative, minor and major land-use permits.4 The county's variance application also addresses departures from requirements such as setbacks, height restrictions and lot sizes, so acreage alone does not establish that a proposed building or use will fit the parcel.2

Phillips County says a change in land use requires a land-use-change permit, while one single-family dwelling and its incidental accessory uses on a single lot do not need that particular permit.2 The home still needs a building permit.2 We could not confirm one countywide minimum dwelling size, setback, height limit or lot-size rule from the available county material; ask Planning & Zoning to identify the parcel's zoning district and the standards that apply to the exact use.2

How do septic permits work in Phillips County?

The Northeast Colorado Health Department administers on-site wastewater treatment permits for Phillips County.3 A new system or repair requires an NCHD permit, and the statewide rule requires the permit before construction, alteration, installation, repair or use of a system serving a structure that is not connected to sewage treatment works.65

Start with NCHD's application and arrange the required site evaluation and percolation test with the health department.6 A final inspection is required after permitted work is completed and before the system is used.11 Only 19.8% of Phillips County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so treat soil evaluation and system design as early feasibility questions.12

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

We could not confirm a Phillips County rule that allows full-time RV occupancy or temporary camping on private land. Ask Phillips County Planning & Zoning about the parcel, intended duration, utilities and whether the proposed use needs land-use approval before moving an RV onto the property.2 Colorado's state-park camping rules do not answer occupancy questions on private land.13

Colorado-regulated tiny homes can be approved for long-term living on permanent or temporary foundations, but plans must receive Division of Housing approval before construction and the unit must satisfy local zoning.7 Phillips County has not published a confirmed countywide tiny-home occupancy or minimum-size answer here, so obtain a parcel-specific zoning determination from Planning & Zoning.2

What are the steps to build a home in Phillips County?

  1. Confirm that the parcel is in unincorporated Phillips County, then ask Planning & Zoning for its zoning district and applicable dimensional standards.4
  2. Confirm that the parcel was legally created; Phillips County says a land division creating a parcel under 35 acres, with a parcel minimum of 2.5 acres, must be platted through subdivision review.2
  3. Secure water and wastewater approvals; a new groundwater well generally needs a state permit, and an unsewered home needs an NCHD septic permit.95
  4. Submit the residence drawings and supporting project-cost documentation required for the county building permit.2
  5. Ask the county about inspection scheduling and final occupancy requirements because a local inspection sequence was not confirmed.2
  6. If access is directly from a state highway, obtain the required CDOT access permit.14

What should you check before buying land in Phillips County?

Begin with zoning, legal parcel creation, recorded access and whether the intended home or use needs a land-use permit. Phillips County administers three land-use permit classes and provides a variance process for requirements including setbacks, height restrictions and lot sizes.2 Direct residential access to a Colorado state highway requires a state access permit.14

Verify water and septic feasibility before treating a parcel as buildable. Every new groundwater-diverting well generally requires a Colorado permit, subject to statutory exceptions and basin rules.9 Conventional septic conditions may be difficult because only 19.8% of county soils are rated without severe drain-field limits.12 Phillips County receives about 17.8 inches of precipitation annually, so confirm a dependable legal water source rather than relying on rainfall.15 The effective property-tax rate is about 0.5%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $1,263.1617

Watch-outs

  • A single-family home may be exempt from a land-use-change permit while still requiring a Phillips County building permit.2
  • Private-land RV occupancy, temporary camping, and countywide minimum dwelling size remain unconfirmed; ask Planning & Zoning before buying for those uses.2
  • Only 19.8% of Phillips County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field.12

Sources

  1. Phillips County Planning & Zoning (2026 county census)
  2. Phillips County Planning & Zoning (phillipscounty.colorado.gov)
  3. Northeast Colorado Health Department - Septic Permit Application (2026 county census)
  4. Phillips County Planning & Zoning (2026 county census)
  5. Title 25 - Public Health and Environment - Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. Northeast Colorado Health Department, Logan, Phillips & Sedgwick Counties (nchd.org)
  7. Consumers of Manufactured Homes and Tiny Homes - HUD (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. (2026 county census)
  9. Water Administration (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Colorado Revised Statutes 2025 Title 30 Government - County (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Title 25 - Public Health and Environment - Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  13. Title 33 - Parks and Wildlife - Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Access Permits | Frequently Asked Questions (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  16. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  17. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 28, 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

Phillips County in Colorado

42
County map
Phillips County highlighted among the Colorado counties · colored by Index score

How Phillips County scores

Seclusion88100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1592% ev.
Admin Boringness4190% ev.
Durability40100% ev.
Property Autonomy75100% ev.
Carry Cost85100% ev.

Evidence strength: 97%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$267kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$2,779Land / acre
17.8"Annual rain
18.2% of yrsSevere drought
20.1 / yr (+16.1)Mid-century 100°F days
25.2 daysMid-century dry spell
1.22" (+3.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.3×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,829Home insurance / yr
1.8% / yrInsurance growth
1.42%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
469People within 30 min
152,322People within 2 hr
3,637Radius comparison (15 mi)
6.5People / sq mi
0%Federal land
89.9%Land at 15% slope or less
19.8%Septic soil without severe limits
85,337 acWorkable land screen
0.1%Wooded land
50.4°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Phillips County

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

Phillips County rules

  • County-wide zoningPresent

    The county has a Planning & Zoning office and has adopted Land Use Permit classes (Administrative, Minor, and Major Land Use Permits).

    Phillips County Planning & Zoning ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Colorado rules that apply here

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, including adding previously unlicensed space to a Health Facility license, or operational permits for a Colorado-licensed Health Facility located in a jurisdiction with no local Building Department.

    • The Division is responsible for issuing the building permit when no local Building Department exists.
    • Limited Scope Project permits may be used instead of an individual Building, Fire, or Life Safety Code permit for projects identified by the Division.
    • Permit issuance is contingent upon review and approval by the Fire Code Official.
    • The determination of when a building permit is required is based on International Building Code Section 105 requirements, except Sections 105.1.1 and 105.1.2.
    • Substantial changes to the project scope, including adding square footage, require a new permit application.
    • Once all corrections identified through code review are satisfactorily addressed, the Division will issue the permit.

    building permit determination: International Building Code Section 105, except Sections 105.1.1 and 105.1.2 (Substantial changes to project scope require a new permit application.)

    “Under these circumstances, the Division will issue the applicable Building Permits and associated Certificates of Occupancy”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Construction, renovation, emergency, cash-funded, or in-house-funded projects involving Colorado state buildings and administered through the Department of Personnel and Administration/Office of the State Architect.
      “State Buildings Program (SBP) is responsible for establishing minimum building codes for all construction by state agencies [...] Colorado has no statewide building code”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Construction at Colorado state agencies and institutions of higher education owned facilities.

    • The approved state building codes are minimum requirements for the specified state-owned facilities.
    • The source states that additional codes, standards, and appendices may be adopted by state agencies and institutions in addition to the listed minimum codes and standards.
    • The statewide source describes Colorado as a local-control state in which most building-code adoption decisions are driven by local governments, not the state.
    • The listed code editions and effective dates are those stated in the retrieved Approved State Building Codes document, which is marked Rev. 9/2023.

    International Building Code edition: 2021 edition (Chapter 1 as amended; Chapters 2-35 and Appendices C and I) · International Residential Code edition: 2021 edition (As applicable) · International Energy Conservation Code edition: 2021 edition (As adopted by the Colorado State Buildings Program and Colorado Energy Office) · National Electrical Code edition: 2023 edition (Effective July 30, 2023) · Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code effective date: 2023-07-01 date · International Plumbing Code edition: 2021 edition (First printing (March 2020); effective May 15, 2023 as adopted by the Colorado Examining Board of Plumbers) · International Fuel Gas Code edition: 2021 edition (First printing; effective May 15, 2023 as adopted by the Colorado Examining Board of Plumbers)

    “These minimum requirements are to be applied to all construction at state agencies and institutions of higher education owned facilities.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Construction at Colorado state agencies and institutions of higher education owned facilities under the Colorado State Buildings Program and other state authorities.
      “Approved building codes and standards are adopted by the Office of the State Architect (herein referred to as State Buildings Program (SBP)) and other state authorities, and are identified below. These minimum requirements are to be applied to all construction at state agencies and institutions of higher education owned facilities.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    All reviewed Colorado State Buildings Program construction projects subject to state building-code compliance review.

    • The policy states that all reviewed construction projects are inspected for building-code compliance.
    • Required inspections are identified on the Building Inspection Record and may include building, special, fire, plumbing, electrical, boiler, elevator, and health-department inspections as applicable.
    • Local fire districts and other state authorities may have separate inspection responsibilities.
    • The policy applies to state buildings and state projects, not uniformly to every private project in Colorado.
    “All reviewed construction projects shall be inspected for building code compliance.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Municipal zoning districts in Colorado where the municipality adopts building-height or story regulations.

    • The applicable height or story limit is determined by the municipality's zoning regulations and district classification.
    • The statute provides authority but no statewide numeric height limit.
    • Height restrictions do not apply to existing buildings under the cited municipal zoning authority, except as stated for new growth of vegetation.

    building height or number of stories: local regulation (No statewide numeric limit specified)

    “the governing body of each municipality is empowered to regulate and restrict the height, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures”
  • 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”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Installation and resulting residential use of HUD-code manufactured homes and mobile homes in Colorado, subject to Colorado Division of Housing requirements and local zoning or building requirements.

    • HUD homes must be certified by the applicable State Administrative Agent for installation in Colorado; imported units are monitored by the State Administrative Agent of the state from which they are imported, rather than necessarily by Colorado's SAA.
    • A HUD home may be installed anywhere in Colorado only where local zoning allows it.
    • Local jurisdictions may require site mitigation to meet local wind and snow loads, but the mitigation cannot directly affect or change the construction of the home itself.
    • The Division of Housing regulates installation and installation inspections for HUD homes; mobile-home foundation and structural construction requirements are regulated by local jurisdictions with active building departments.
    • The state minimum HUD design criteria listed by the source are Wind Zone 1, Thermal Zone 3, and Middle Roof Load Zone (30 psf).

    wind zone: 1 zone · thermal zone: 3 zone · roof load zone: 30 psf (Middle Zone)

    “HUD homes [...] can be installed anywhere in Colorado as long as the local zoning allows for it.”
  • 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”
  • Who permits septicMixed

    On-site wastewater treatment systems statewide in Colorado.

    • The state establishes minimum standards through the Water Quality Control Commission.
    • Every local board of health must adopt detailed OWTS rules within its jurisdiction.
    • Local public health agencies and local boards of health have primary enforcement responsibility; the department may assume functions if a local agency substantially fails to administer and enforce the law.
    “Every local board of health in the state shall develop and adopt detailed rules for on-site wastewater treatment systems within its area of jurisdiction.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, installation, repair, or use of an OWTS statewide when the building or structure is not serviced by a sewage treatment works.

    • The permit is issued by the applicable local public health agency under local board-of-health rules.
    • A person may not construct, alter, install, or permit use of an OWTS without first applying for and receiving the required permit.
    • Local boards of health may prohibit OWTS permits in defined areas where additional systems may create a public-health or water-quality hazard.
    “Constructs, alters, installs, or permits the use of any on-site wastewater treatment system without first applying for and receiving a permit as required under this article;”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    OWTS construction, installation, alteration, or repair statewide before the system is placed in use, plus operating inspections when authorized under applicable rules.

    • A final inspection must occur after permitted work is completed and before the system is placed in use.
    • The local public health agency or its designated professional engineer determines compliance with the permit, statute, and applicable rules.
    • For a building not serviced by a sewage treatment works, an occupancy permit requires final OWTS inspection and local agency approval.
    “Final inspection of a system to be made by the local public health agency or its designated professional engineer after construction, installation, alteration, or repair work under a permit has been completed, but before the system is placed in use, to determine that the work has been performed in accordance with the permit and that the system is in compliance with this article and the rules adopted under this article;”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Sanitation for dwellings and occupied structures statewide that is provided without connection to a sewage treatment works.

    • The structure must have adequate facilities for sanitary disposal of sewage.
    • An OWTS may be used subject to applicable permit, inspection, construction, installation, alteration, and use requirements.
    • Construction of new cesspools is prohibited.
    • Septage removed during maintenance or cleaning must be disposed of at an approved site and in an approved manner.
    “No person shall construct or maintain any dwelling or other occupied structure that is not equipped with adequate facilities for the sanitary disposal of sewage.”
  • 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;”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Division of land and creation of interests subject to Colorado county subdivision law.

    • Divisions creating parcels of at least 35 acres each are excluded when none is intended for use by multiple owners.
    • Additional statutory exclusions include certain 35-acre-per-interest divisions, court or eminent-domain divisions, security instruments, investment entities, cemetery lots, severed mineral or water interests, certain joint-tenancy or tenancy-in-common interests, parcel combinations, contingent sale contracts, and cluster developments.
    • A board of county commissioners may exempt a division from the subdivision definition by rule, regulation, or resolution if it determines the division is not within the purposes of the subdivision statute.
    • Local county subdivision regulations and review procedures still determine administration.

    parcel-size exclusion: >= 35 acres (Each parcel must be at least 35 acres and none may be intended for use by multiple owners.) · minimum area per interest for listed exclusion: >= 35 acres per interest (Subject to the statutory exceptions and anti-evasion language.)

    “"Subdivision" or "subdivided land" means any parcel of land in the state which is to be used for condominiums, apartments, or any other multiple-dwelling units, unless such land when previously subdivided was accompanied by a filing which complied with the provisions of this part 1 with substantially the same density, or which is divided into two or more parcels, separate interests, or interests in common, unless exempted under paragraph (b), (c), or (d) of this subsection (10).”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Direct residential access from a property to a Colorado state highway, and construction, relocation, closure, modification, or change in use of access points to state highways.

    • Direct access from a house to a state highway requires an access permit.
    • Some state-highway access categories require access from a lesser street or by easement from a parent parcel whenever possible.
    • Level 1 permits cover single-family residential/agricultural permits; Level 2 covers commercial property and developments exceeding 20 vehicular trips per day without roadway improvements; Level 3 covers commercial property requiring roadway improvements.
    • Level 1 fees are $50, Level 2 fees are $100, and Level 3 fees are $300.
    • No fees are charged to local government applications or political subdivisions.
    • There is no upfront charge to review an Access Permit Application.
    • The permittee is responsible for roadway-improvement costs required with issuance of an access permit.
    • Performance-bond requirements apply only to private projects; local agencies are not required to comply, although CDOT regions may require a bond at their discretion.

    Level 1 access permit fee: 50 USD (Single-family residential/agricultural permits) · Level 2 access permit fee: 100 USD (Commercial property permits and developments exceeding 20 vehicular trips per day without roadway improvements) · Level 3 access permit fee: 300 USD (Commercial property permits requiring roadway improvements)

    “If you want the house to have direct access off of the state highway, then you will need an access permit.”
  • 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.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Colorado's statewide legal framework for land-use permitting and development regulation.

    • Most land-use decisions, including building-code adoption, are driven by local governments rather than the state.
    • Local governments may develop permitting procedures and standards for development under 1041 regulations.
    • The cited statewide source does not establish a uniform statewide permit application, review, approval, or inspection procedure.
    “Colorado is a “local control” state when it comes to land use planning authority (Local Government, 2012). This means that most land use decisions such as adoption of zoning and building codes are driven by local governments, not by the state.”
  • 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 building requirements in Phillips County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy in Phillips County.
  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning across Phillips County municipalities and unincorporated areas.
  • Zoning districts — Published zoning districts in Phillips County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Phillips County.
7 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Permit fees

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 Phillips 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 ↗
  • Northern High Plains Designated Ground Water Basinmajority of county

    New large-capacity wells need a Colorado Ground Water Commission permit and are allocated on an allowable 100-year water-level decline; in over-allocated management districts new large-capacity permits are effectively unavailable. Household/exempt small-capacity wells still allowed.

    Colorado DWR / Ground Water Commission — Designated Basins ↗

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 Phillips County, Colorado

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

Phillips County scores 42/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 469 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (17.8″/yr rainfall) and elevated current hazard exposure.

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

Phillips County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Northeast Colorado Health Department (NCHD) - serves Logan, Phillips & Sedgwick Counties. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Phillips County, Colorado?

Land in Phillips County runs about $2,779 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Phillips County?

Phillips County gets about 17.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 18.2% of years. On water rights, Phillips County lies in the Northern High Plains Designated Ground Water Basin — New large-capacity wells need a Colorado Ground Water Commission permit and are allocated on an allowable 100-year water-level decline; in over-allocated management districts new large-capacity permits are effectively unavailable. Household/exempt small-capacity wells still allowed..

How remote is Phillips County?

A representative private-land location has about 469 people within a 30-minute drive and 152,322 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 Phillips County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Phillips compares in Colorado

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