Bolthole Index

Saguache County, Colorado

Zoning, building permits and land rules in the Town of Center, Colorado

The Town of Center, Colorado requires a building permit, issued by the Town Administrator, for construction, moving, alteration or repair inside town limits1. Center also has its own zoning code, Chapter 44 of the town's Code of Ordinances2. Septic rules inside town limits are unconfirmed, so call the town and Saguache County Land Use before you buy3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside town limits; issued by the Town Administrator or a representative1
Zoning
Yes. Center has its own zoning code (Chapter 44)2
Building code
2006 International Residential Code adopted4
Septic
Not confirmed inside town; ask the town and Saguache County Land Use3
RV living
Camping units limited to 5 days per year outside a campground or mobile home park5
Tiny homes
Allowed in the Residential (R) district on lots over 3,500 sq ft and 25 ft wide6
Accessory dwellings
Allowed in R and PUDR districts with administrative approval7
Short-term rentals
Licensed by the town; capped at 5 licenses in town8

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Town of Center (Town Hall)

Town hall: building permit and zoning questions inside Center town limits, plus the town's documents and forms page

(719) 754-3497

294 S. Worth Street

Building permits

Town of Center Building Department (under Public Works)

Building department inside the Public Works Department; the town's utilities, streets and code enforcement also sit under Public Works

719-754-3497

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Do you need a building permit in Center, Colorado?

Yes. Inside the Town of Center, the town code makes it unlawful to begin excavation for construction, moving, alteration or repair, other than ordinary repair, until the Town Administrator or an authorized representative has issued a building permit1. Applications are made in duplicate with a plot plan and structure details, and a denial must be stated in writing9. Center has adopted the 2006 edition of the International Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings4.

That is the town's rule. Land outside town limits falls under Saguache County, where structures also need a county building permit10. A fee schedule for permits inside Center is something we could not confirm, so ask Town Hall for it.

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

The Town of Center issues its own building permits through the Town Administrator or an authorized representative1. The town's website lists a Building Department inside its Public Works Department11. Town Hall is at 294 S. Worth Street and answers at (719) 754-349712.

Saguache County's Land Use Department does not issue building permits for lots inside Center; its permit authority covers unincorporated Saguache County10. Center also reaches into neighboring Rio Grande County, so confirm with Town Hall which county applies to a specific parcel.

Does Center have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and lot size?

Yes. Center adopts its own zoning, Chapter 44 of the town's Code of Ordinances2. The districts are Residential Estate (RE), Residential (R), Residential Mobile Home (R-MH), Commercial Highway (C-H), Commercial Business (C-B) and Industrial (I)13. Saguache County's own lack of countywide zoning does not apply inside the town14.

In the Residential (R) district, the minimum lot is 7,000 square feet and 50 feet wide, with at least 3,500 square feet of lot per dwelling unit15. Setbacks are 20 feet in front, 5 feet on a side facing a street, 3 feet on an interior side, and 10 feet in the rear16. The maximum building height in the R district is 35 feet17.

Tiny homes are allowed in the R district on lots over 3,500 square feet with a width of at least 25 feet6.

A manufactured home must be on an engineered perimeter foundation, be inspected by a registered state inspector, and be no more than 10 years old at placement18; Chapter 26 of the town code sets separate setbacks for manufactured homes. A single-wide needs at least 980 square feet of living space19.

A detached accessory dwelling unit is limited to 750 square feet and needs administrative approval before a building permit7.

Can you live in an RV in Center, Colorado?

Not for long on an ordinary lot. Center limits camping units on lots inside town to 5 days per year, except in an authorized mobile home park or campground, and bars storing them in a required front setback or on streets and alleys5.

The 60-day construction-period RV rule and the temporary RV permit that Saguache County describes apply to unincorporated Saguache County, not to lots inside Center20. The state's camping rules cover Colorado Parks and Wildlife land, not private lots21.

How do septic permits work inside Center?

We could not confirm who issues septic permits for lots inside Center, or whether a given lot is on the town's sewer. Colorado law requires a permit from the local public health agency for an on-site wastewater system wherever a building is not served by a sewage treatment works22. Saguache County Land Use issues septic permits for unincorporated Saguache County, and the county notes that only some incorporated areas have central water and sewer323.

Where public sewer is or becomes available, the town code requires mobile home parks to connect to it; we found no matching connection rule for single-family lots24. Before you buy, ask Town Hall whether the lot has a sewer tap, and ask Saguache County Land Use if it does not. Private wells are another open question inside town; Colorado requires a state well permit for every new well that diverts groundwater25.

Building a home in Center: the steps, in order

  1. Call Town Hall at (719) 754-3497 to confirm the lot's zoning district and whether it is on town water and sewer12.
  2. Check the district's lot size, setbacks and height against your plans1516.
  3. If you plan an accessory dwelling, get administrative approval first7.
  4. Submit the building permit application in duplicate with a plot plan to the Town Administrator or representative9.
  5. For a lot without sewer, get the septic permit from the local public health agency before building approval26.
  6. Build to the adopted 2006 International Residential Code and pass the required inspections before the certificate of occupancy427.

What stays with Saguache County, and what to check before you buy in Center

Land outside town limits is governed by Saguache County, where septic permits come from the Land Use Department and building permits are required countywide in unincorporated areas310. Do not apply the county's setbacks, RV or permit-fee figures to a lot inside Center.

Before you buy, confirm the zoning district, the sewer and water connection, and any floodplain status; we could not confirm town floodplain or driveway rules. A driveway directly onto a state highway needs a state access permit28. County context: Saguache County's effective property tax rate is 0.3%29, and the county has about 2.1 people per square mile30.

Watch-outs

  • Center's zoning table of allowed uses was not fully readable for every district, so confirm a lot's district and permitted uses with Town Hall before you rely on the R-district numbers6.
  • Center straddles Saguache and Rio Grande counties, so ask Town Hall which county's health office handles septic and wells for a given lot3.
  • Short-term rentals in Center need a council-approved license and cannot be mobile homes, RVs, tents or yurts8.

Sources

  1. Center Code Sec 44-211 Building permits (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  2. Center Code Sec 44-6 Interpretation and application (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  3. Land Use | Saguache County, quoted and re-checked
  4. Center Code Sec 10-95 IRC adopted (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  5. Center Code Sec 44-72 Storage and parking of camping units (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  6. Center Code Sec 44-32 Residential (R) (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  7. Center Code Sec 44-73 Accessory dwelling units (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  8. Center Code Sec 44-74 Short term rentals (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  9. Center Code Sec 44-211 Building permits (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  10. saguachecounty.colorado.gov, quoted and re-checked
  11. Town of Center Building Department (under Public Works) (centerco.gov)
  12. Town of Center (Town Hall) (centerco.gov)
  13. Center Code Sec 44-37 Table of allowed uses (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  14. Land Use, quoted and re-checked
  15. Center Code Sec 44-32 Residential (R) (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  16. Center Code Sec 44-32 Residential (R) (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  17. Center Code Sec 44-32 Residential (R) (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  18. Center Code Sec 26-2 Regulations (manufactured homes) (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  19. Center Code Sec 26-1 Definitions (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  20. Saguache County Land Development Code, Article XIII, quoted and re-checked
  21. Title 33 - Parks and Wildlife - Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Title 25 - Public Health and Environment - Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. saguachecounty.colorado.gov, quoted and re-checked
  24. Center Code Sec 44-106 Mobile home park utilities (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  25. Water Administration (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Title 25 - Public Health and Environment - Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. Center Code Sec 44-73.1 Administrative review for ADUs (Town of Center), quoted and re-checked
  28. Access Permits | Frequently Asked Questions (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Population density: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 16, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Center

Town of Center’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, moving, alteration or repair inside Center town

    • Ordinary repair as defined in the Building Code is excepted
    • Issued by the Town Administrator or authorized representative
    • Use Permit may be prerequisite for special review uses (Sec 44-212)
    “It shall be unlawful to begin excavation for the construction, moving, alteration, or repair, except ordinary repair as defined in the Building Code, until the Town Administrator, or authorized representative, has issued a Building Permit”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    One- and two-family dwellings inside Center town

    • IRC adopted is the 2006 Edition including appendix chapter E
    • IBC also adopted by reference with local amendments (Sec 10-68); IECC stated as not officially adopted in the IBC amendment

    IRC edition: 2006

    “that certain code known as the International Residential Code, 2006 Edition, including appendix chapter E, published by the International Code Council.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units inside Center town (inspections required before certificate of occupancy)

    • Manufactured homes must also be inspected by a registered state inspector (Sec 26-2(l))
    • General inspection schedule for other construction not located in the provided sections
    “A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued until all required inspections have passed.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Center town limits

    • Zoning Code is Chapter 44 of the Center Code of Ordinances
    “The provisions of this Zoning Code may be regarded as the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Center town

    • Districts: RE, R, R-MH, C-H, C-B, I; PUD districts also referenced
    “RE = Residential Estate, R = Residential, R-MH = Residential Mobile Home, C-H = Commercial Highway, C-B = Commercial Business, I = Industrial”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Single-wide manufactured homes inside Center town; no general minimum dwelling size found for site-built homes

    • Definition of single-wide manufactured home in Chapter 26

    minimum living space, single-wide manufactured home: >= 980 sq ft

    “Is a minimum size of 980 square feet living space.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential (R) district inside Center town

    • Tiny homes exempt: allowed on lots exceeding 3,500 sq ft with 25 ft width
    • Other districts (RE, CB, CH, I) not captured in provided sections

    minimum lot area: >= 7000 sq ft (tiny homes) · minimum lot width: >= 50 ft (tiny homes) · minimum lot area per dwelling unit: >= 3500 sq ft

    “minimum lot area: seven thousand (7,000) square-feet. (2) minimum lot width: fifty (50) feet. (3) minimum lot area per dwelling unit: three thousand five hundred (3,500) square-feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Residential (R) district inside Center town

    • Interior side yard 3 ft if any side yard is provided; side yards required unless common walls
    • Manufactured homes: 5 ft each side, 10 ft front and rear (Sec 26-2(n))

    front setback: >= 20 ft · side setback from street right-of-way: >= 5 ft · interior side setback: >= 3 ft · rear setback: >= 10 ft

    “minimum front setback: twenty (20) feet. (2) minimum side setback from a street right-of-way: five (5) feet. (3) minimum side setback from an interior lot line: three (3) feet, if any side yard is provided.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Residential (R) district inside Center town

    • Other districts not captured in provided sections

    maximum building height: <= 35 ft

    “maximum height of buildings: thirty-five (35) feet.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping units on lots inside Center town

    • Five days per year limit except in authorized mobile home park or campground
    • Camping units may not be stored in required front or more than one side setback or on streets or alleys

    max occupancy: <= 5 days per year (authorized mobile home park or campground)

    “camping units and vehicles shall not be stored in any required front or more than one (1) side setback or on streets or alleys.”
  • Tiny homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Tiny homes in the Residential (R) district inside Center town

    • Otherwise must meet single-family dwelling regulations of the R district
    • Other districts: table of allowed uses lists tiny homes as permitted or special review (SR) in some districts; table text is garbled and not relied on

    minimum lot area for tiny homes: > 3500 sq ft · minimum lot width for tiny homes: >= 25 ft

    “tiny homes are allowed on lots exceeding 3,500 square feet of total area and with a minimum lot width of twenty-five (25) feet.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes placed inside Center town

    • Foundation must be an excavated, backfilled, engineered perimeter foundation
    • Pitched roof at least 3/12, brick/wood or equivalent siding, wheels/axles/hitch removed
    • Must be inspected by a registered state inspector before certificate of occupancy
    • Only one single-family dwelling of any type on a minimum of two lots
    • Setbacks five feet each side, ten feet front and rear
    • Not occupied for more than five days outside an authorized Mobile Home Park

    maximum age at placement: <= 10 years

    “the setbacks from lot lines for placement of mobile/manufactured homes shall be five feet on each side and be ten feet on the front and rear of the lot.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units in Residential zone districts (R and PUDR) inside Center town

    • Detached ADU max 750 sq ft; integrated ADU max 30% of principal floor area or 750 sq ft, whichever larger
    • Rentals require minimum 90-day written lease
    • Must be owned with principal unit; independent utility services required
    • Commercial districts: special review, max 750 sq ft, one per lot
    • Administrative approval required before building permit (Sec 44-73.1)

    detached ADU max floor area: <= 750 sq ft

    “the floor area of the integrated accessory dwelling unit may not be more than thirty (30) percent of the floor area of the principal building, or 750 square feet, whichever is larger”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Mobile home parks inside Center town (sewer connection when public sewer is available)

    • Rule found applies to mobile home parks only; general single-family connection rule not located
    • No distance threshold stated in the section
    “Where a public sewer system is or becomes available, connection shall be made thereto, and the public sewage disposal system shall be used exclusively.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals (under 30 days) inside Center town

    • Council-approved license after planning commission review and neighbor notice within 300 ft
    • Owner must have primary residency in Saguache or Rio Grande County in R district
    • Max 3 per person; max 2 in R district, 3 in CB/CH
    • Must be a permanent structure; no mobile homes, RVs, tents, yurts etc.
    • Town business license required; licenses non-transferable

    maximum STRs in town: <= 5 licenses (may be changed by resolution)

    “the maximum number of str's allowed in the town is 5. this number may be increased or decreased by future resolution of the town board of trustees.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permit applications inside Center town

    • Applications in duplicate with plot plan and structure details
    • Denial must be stated in writing
    • Use Permit required for special review uses and variances
    • ADU administrative approval process in Sec 44-73.1
    “if any application for such a building permit is not approved by the town administrator, or authorized representative, the cause for such disapproval shall be stated in writing.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Center or Saguache County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Center town
  • Lot coverage — Residential (R) district inside Center town
  • Who permits septic — Septic systems inside Center town
  • Septic permit — Septic systems inside Center town
  • Septic inspection — Septic systems inside Center town
7 more unanswered
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Center publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Saguache County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Saguache County: county rules, score and offices