Accessory Structures

The City Code allows for many different types of residential accessory uses, including storage structures, detached garages, and workshops. Whether or not you can build another structure on your lot depends on several things, including zone, lot coverage allowance, setbacks, and any specific regulations that apply to the type of accessory structure you plan to build. For general guidelines, read the sections below. City of Colorado Springs Design Advisory Bulletin (DAB) 301 is not meant to cover absolutely every facet of the accessory structure code, but it does provide general guidelines, most of which are summarized below.

General Information: Accessory Structures

We are aware of the presence of a few storage sheds in Discovery. Some were approved…and some “magically appeared.”  No further violations of ARC Approval will be permitted. Any future sheds discovered to have been constructed without ARC approval will be subject to relocation or removal at the owner's expense.  Please review the information on sheds in our FAQ area before you decide if you wish to request a shed in your yard.

The accessory structure provisions in the City Code can be found in City Code 7.3.105. Accessory structures are not allowed within the front or side yard setbacks of any property. Specific setback measurements for Discovery residences are 10 ft from your side yard property line and 30 ft from your rear yard property line. 

Accessory structures located in a hillside, historic preservation, or streamside overlay zone district are subject to site plan review to ensure compliance with the provisions of the overlay districts. All Discovery properties lie within the Hillside Overlay Zone and are zoned R1-9000.  See DAB 201 for general information.

If the structure is 120 square feet or less in gross floor area and 8 feet in height or less, City Code allows it anywhere within the rear yard and does not require a building permit. However, if the accessory structure is greater than 120 square feet and/or greater than 8 feet in height, it must maintain the setback requirements specified above from each property line in the rear yard. The Discovery HOA Covenants place additional restrictions on the placement of accessory structures, regardless of size. ALL accessory structures must be approved by the Architectural Review Committee PRIOR to construction.

Playhouses

Children’s playhouses are allowed within any residential district. However, if the playhouse exceeds 6 feet in height, it must meet the setbacks and other development standards of the Hillside Overlay Zone.

Storage Structures

Although the city allows up to 2 storage structures per address with the total combined square footage not to exceed 400 square feet, Discovery HOA will allow no more than one storage structure per address. Please consult the "Discovery Shed Policy" page for additional information.