Front Range

Gilpin County treats shipping containers as structures

Local rules Gilpin County vacant land zoning

A steel shipping container may look like equipment, but Gilpin County treats it as an accessory structure.

Under the county’s current guidance, a storage structure larger than 200 square feet needs a building permit. A shipping container or other accessory structure cannot be placed on vacant land, regardless of size. A permanent container must be kept out of direct view from public roads or screened with fencing, a berm, or landscaping.

The temporary rule is different. A container may be used for storage without a building permit for no more than 30 consecutive days.

Gilpin County is working on a broader land-use-code update, so check the current shipping-container guidance before arranging delivery. Give Community Development the parcel number, proposed location, container size, and expected length of use.

Sources

Official or primary sources used for this note. Local details can change, so confirm before acting.

Reviewed: August 2, 2026 Gilpin County Community Development

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