Off-grid living is completely legal in many parts of Colorado.
That does not, however, imply that you will be able to do everything you want with your land.
The majority of counties have strict zoning and building restrictions.
Everything from your toilet to your wood stove will almost certainly require a permission, and you’ll be subjected to frequent inspections.
Even if you can accomplish everything legally, building an off-grid home in Colorado will be incredibly expensive, especially if you want water rights.
Colorado Zoning Laws and Off-Grid Living
Local governments develop zoning laws that dictate what residents are permitted to do on their property. In comparison to other states, Colorado has fairly complex and tight zoning restrictions in most locations.
Some rural counties in Colorado used to be devoid of zoning restrictions. These areas, on the other hand, have begun to enact and enforce zoning restrictions. Because to its absence of zoning rules, Delta County, for example, was considered one of Colorado’s greatest spots to go off-grid. However, beginning in April 2021, the entire county will be zoned.
Some of the guidelines you might expect to discover in Colorado zoning laws are as follows:
- Permitted uses: There are a lot of limitations on what you can do with your property. On land classified as Agriculture, some types of agriculture (particularly cattle) are even restricted or limited.
- Minimum lot size: For agriculture-zoned land, several places have a minimum lot size of 20 or 35 acres.
- Only family members are allowed to live on a property, according to zoning restrictions. Farmhands may be permitted on agricultural land, but they must be employed lawfully. If you wish to house numerous families on the same property, look for land that is zoned “Residential Multi-Dwelling.”
- Accessory structures: Accessory structures are subject to tight regulations. Unless it’s a paid farmhand and their family, you can’t have anyone living in an additional dwelling. Even then, you’ll almost certainly need a permit.
Is it legal to live off the grid in Colorado?
For an off-grid property in Colorado, you must buy at least 35 acres of land, according to a 1972 statute. Land that is less than 35 acres must meet state sewage and infrastructure criteria, according to the law. In most cases, an off-grid cabin will not suffice.
In Colorado, where can you live off the grid?
- Montezuma County has fairly flexible zoning restrictions, and the majority of the land is zoned for agricultural use, albeit this may result in large minimum lot requirements. They are not in charge of enforcing construction codes.
- Outside of Colorado Springs, El Paso County’s zoning restrictions are relatively lax. There is even forest area that has been allocated for residential use.
- Huerfano County, which encompasses Walsenburg, has rules that promote compact dwellings and less stringent construction codes.
- Farming is legal in Rio Grande County, even on residentially designated land. Wells and on-site sewage systems necessitate a smaller lot size than in other parts of Colorado.
- Costilla County: Because of the low land prices, many people migrated to Costilla County to live off the grid. Although the county has been cracking down and enforcing laws, it remains one of Colorado’s more laid-back off-grid communities.
- Saguache County: There are no codes in this county. If that changes, please let us know.
- Las Animas County has a lesser minimum lot size than the rest of the state. Zoning restrictions and building codes are also a little more lenient.
Which Colorado counties permit the construction of small homes?
If you don’t have a specific city in mind for the construction of your tiny home, you could wish to consider cities with less stringent rules. This is especially true if you intend to live in the structure you construct full-time.
The cities and counties listed below are some of the best in Colorado to build a tiny house:
El Paso County
As previously said, tiny houses on wheels are sometimes seen as recreational vehicles in which individuals are not permitted to reside full-time. Regulations in your city may indicate that you can only dwell in your tiny house for 2 weeks to 180 days every year, depending on where you live. El Paso County was one of the first cities in Colorado to reverse this, reclassifying tiny dwellings as independent living spaces. People can live in their tiny homes all year long as long as they’re built or parked in authorized zones and pass inspection.
Walensburg
Walensburg is a small town in southern Colorado with a population of only 3,000 people. Zoning restrictions were altered in 2014 to allow people to build tiny dwellings on residential lands. They must be built on a foundation, so no tiny houses on wheels are allowed, although if you own land, that’s probably what you’ll want to do anyway. Your home will also require connection to the city’s sewage and water systems, which is generally more pleasant than other tiny living options.
Salida
The River View at Cleora is a tiny house development in Salida, Colorado, smack dab in the heart of the state. Located in the heart of the Rockies, the community is known for more than just their tiny houses. The location is adjacent to some of the top whitewater rafting and skiing spots in the world. This property is comparable to many traditional retirement communities in that it has a community kitchen, exercise facility, storage spaces, and a management team.
What state is the most convenient for living off the grid?
Off Grid Permaculture’s Daniel Mark Schwartz ranks Alabama as the best state for off-grid life. Alabama has a cheap cost of living, with comparatively modest land expenses and some of the lowest property taxes in the country. It also has a handful of counties that do not have building codes. Alabama is an ideal site for rainwater collection because it receives a lot of rain (56 inches per year) and state statutes allow for unrestricted water harvesting.
Is it legal to homestead in Colorado?
Homeowners in Colorado can exempt up to $75,000 of their home or other property covered by the homestead exemption under the state’s exemption system. If the homeowner, his or her spouse, or a dependent is disabled or 60 years of age or older, the homestead exemption is worth $105,000.
What Colorado city is offering free land?
Flagler is a small farming and ranching village 110 miles east of Denver. The town’s free land incentive program is designed to entice new residents by providing free land to individuals who bring business and industry to the area. “The quantity of land supplied will be determined by the number of workers the firm will employ,” according to the town’s website. The train runs alongside this property. Check out this page for more information on how to apply.
Is it possible to construct a container home in Colorado?
Building your own home is a fantastic place to start if you’re seeking for a satisfying endeavor. Being able to build your own place and make it entirely personalized for you and your family is a wonderful thing to be able to achieve, and it may be well worth the effort.
If you’ve ever looked into what it takes to build your own home, on the other hand, you’ve definitely been stopped in your tracks. The amount of money required and the quantity of red tape that must be navigated to get a project like that off the ground can put a stop to anyone’s illusions about what it might be like.
That is why many people may find that creating a container home in Colorado is a perfect option. Container homes are significantly more accessible to individuals than traditional residences due to their cheaper cost and ease of construction. They are welcoming to all types of individuals and are growing in popularity. More people are developing container homes, barndominiums, and tiny houses as the alternative housing movement grows. Banks and builders are beginning to comprehend this and are warming to the idea.
In Colorado, what is the minimum square footage for a home?
The new regulation also exempts tiny houses from the 1,200-square-foot minimum square footage standard that applies to other detached dwelling units.
To live off the grid, how much acreage do you need?
While looking for my own off-grid property, I questioned how big of a piece of land I would need to be self-sufficient. As a result, I set out to discover accurate information on how much land a family actually requires. And you might be surprised by his response.
To live off the grid, how many acres do you need? A quarter acre is enough land for a modest family to cultivate most of their own food and live self-sufficiently. If you wish to survive off the grid by harvesting your own wood for heat, 510 acres will suffice.
The figures above assume that you have adequate lighting, irrigation water, and a favorable growth conditions. In truth, the amount of acres you require is determined on your lifestyle and the climate in which you live. Continue reading to learn more about the factors to consider when determining the size of your off-grid property.