Castle Rock, CO · Family-owned
Owner-built by Jon & Janessa LangPatios, covered patios, fire features and outdoor kitchens for Castle Rock yards, planned around the Town's gas, open-flame and water-wise rules. Built by Jon & Janessa Lang.
Outdoor living in the Town of Castle Rock
A fire table, a grill, a hot tub and a patio each touch a different Castle Rock rule: gas lines, open flames, burn permits, even how much lawn you can keep. Plan for them up front and the yard comes together without do-overs.
Here is the rule that surprises people most. Castle Rock added Section G2408.5.1 to its residential code. It says open-flame cooking gear and built-in gas appliances can't sit on a combustible surface or within 10 feet of combustible construction, unless that spot has fire sprinklers. So a built-in grill on a wood or composite deck is usually out. We put outdoor kitchens on stone or concrete, set back from the house.
“We were in desperate need of a new deck and patio (and just for fun we threw a custom fire pit into the mix). Our backyard has been transformed and we have John and Janessa to thank for that.”
jasonthomas93 · Deck, patio & fire pitCastle Rock backyard rules, in plain words
These come straight from Castle Rock's fire department, its water department and its building code. Rules do change, so check with the Town for anything newer.
Castle Rock Fire and Rescue does not ask for a burn permit for a backyard warming or cooking fire that burns gas, charcoal or clean, dry firewood in a manufactured fire pit or an enclosed stone fireplace. An adult 18 or older must watch it until it's cold. During fire restrictions, call 303-660-1066 first.
The Town's gas line checklist asks, for outdoor gas appliances, for a site plan with your house, decks and distances to the lot lines. It also wants the pipe layout, where each appliance goes and its clearance from anything that burns. We draw it all so the reviewer has it.
Under Ordinance 2022-025, homes permitted and built after Jan. 1, 2023 get no front lawn and 500 square feet or less of lawn out back. If your backyard has no landscaping yet, the Town reviews a new design first, which can take up to 10 business days. A patio is a smart use of that space.
Castle Rock sees more than 300 sunny days a year, and a June 2023 storm in Douglas County dropped hail up to 2.5 inches. A patio cover here is built to the Town's snow load of 35 to 40 pounds per square foot, and truss calcs must be signed by a Colorado-registered design professional.
“The inspector was impressed by their system and mentioned this deck is built to withstand a hurricane.”
Dominic ValenzuelaCastle Rock backyard projects
Every project below runs into a Castle Rock rule somewhere. Knowing which one ahead of time saves a redo.
At about 6,200 feet, evenings cool off fast once the sun drops. A gas fire pit skips the firewood. A wood one needs clean, seasoned wood, and Castle Rock Fire suggests keeping the woodpile at least 30 feet from the house.
Because of the Town's 10-foot rule for open flames near combustible construction, we often set the kitchen on a stone patio just past the deck stairs. You still cook a few steps from the table, and the deck stays clear of the grill.
Castle Rock views run from Pikes Peak in the south to Longs Peak in the north. Inside the Town's skyline and ridgeline overlay, structures need earth-tone colors, and outdoor lights must be full cutoff with no floodlights on the walls. We pick posts, roof color and lights to fit.
The Town lists hot tubs among the projects that need a permit. We plan the pad or deck under the tub, the power to it and the privacy screen around it together, so the plans tell one story.
Castle Rock ranks wildfire as a high hazard. Town fire staff suggest hard surfaces or rock within 5 feet of the home and no shrubs there. A paver or concrete border that wraps the patio does that job and looks sharp.
Patio, cover, fire pit and kitchen can go in as one project with one set of plans. On a newer lot with no landscaping yet, we also leave room in the schedule for the Town's water-wise design review.
Verified customer reviews
Verified Google reviews from customers who built decks, patios, covers and fire pits with us. Our Google rating is 4.6 from 39 reviews.
“We were in desperate need of a new deck and patio (and just for fun we threw a custom fire pit into the mix). The estimate was reasonable and their work was excellent. Our backyard has been transformed.”
“Colorado Elite completed an incredible covered deck for us. Jon and Janessa were very professional, open, honest and communicative. They were great to work with. We would highly recommend them.”
“We had Jon, Andrew, and Derrick rebuild our deck. The crew was always on time and professional. Jon designed a creative and functional privacy wall for us and delivered on all his promises. We enjoy it every day!”
Castle Rock backyards
From The Meadows to Cobblestone Ranch inside town, and out to the county lots too. For decks and fences, see our Castle Rock page. Some of the neighborhoods we work in:
Castle Rock outdoor-living questions
Send your address and a wish list. We'll check the Town's gas, fire and water rules for your lot, then send an itemized estimate from the owners.
Get My Free Estimate or call (720) 674-9058