How to Build a Small Shed on My Land in Park County, Colorado

Measure the site where you want to build the shed, and draw a plan for the shed based on the available dimensions and your space needs. Ensure the ground below the shed is level and hard-packed land.

Determine the square footage of the shed plans before you begin building. In Park County, you do not need a permanent foundation if the structure will be less than 600 square feet. You must obtain a building permit before you begin building a shed larger than 120 square feet. Contact the Park County Building Department for more information about building permits.

Purchase your building materials, using your plans from Step 1 to determine the lengths of your boards. You may need more 2-inch by 6-inch boards if you plan to build a shed larger than 120 square feet. Keep in mind that you should have a support beam every 1 foot to 2 feet along the walls, floor and ceiling.

Build the base of the shed first, if it is less than 600 square feet. If you must build a permanent foundation, consult a local concrete supplier for services. Build the base of the shed by nailing four of the 2-inch by 6-inch boards together into a rectangle. Add support beams inside the frame by nailing three 2-inch by 6-inch boards so they lie flat inside the frame, each approximately 1 foot apart. Nail a sheet of plywood over the top of the base to make the floor of the shed, and place it in the location where you want your shed to stand.

Frame the walls of the structure by nailing four 2-inch by 6-inch beams vertically to the corners of the base. Nail four more beams horizontally to the tops of each of the vertical beams, forming a ceiling that is identical to the base's original rectangle. Nail the 2-foot-long planks diagonally across each of the eight bottom corners, so they form right-triangles on each wall's lower two corners.

Nail three support beams to three of the walls and the ceiling like you nailed the support beams into the base in Step 4. Use at least three support beams per wall, spacing them about 1 foot apart. The wall without beams will serve as the front of the shed.

Nail plywood sheets to the outside of the three walls with support beams.

Nail the sheet metal to the top of the structure, using the roofing nails. Using sheet metal is sturdier and more weather-resistant than wood, especially with a flat roof shed like this.

Cut a hole for a door in the remaining sheet of plywood, picking a size for the door that is adequate for your needs. Ensure your lawn mower, for example, can easily get in and out of the hole. Save the inside piece, as you will use it for your door.

Nail the last piece of plywood to the shed, with the door hole positioned in the location place where you want the door. Inside of the shed on either side of the door's opening, nail two 2-inch by 6-inch beams from the ceiling to the floor, and screw the hinges through the plywood wall and into one of the support beams. Screw the hinges to the door, and add additional hardware, like latches or locks if you need to secure your shed. Paint the shed, if you wish.