Larkspur is a small incorporated town of 206 residents (2020 Census) on 1.59 square miles at 6,880 feet, in the northern part of Douglas County. A post office has operated in the area since 1871, originally under the name Huntsville, but the town itself only incorporated in 1979. Interstate 25 runs along its eastern edge with access at exits 172, 173 and 174 — about 11 miles north of Castle Rock and 39 miles south of Denver. Small town, high ground, large lots: all three shape how a remodel runs here.
Larkspur Runs Its Own Building Department
Inside town limits, permits and inspections are handled by the Town of Larkspur Building Department, not by Douglas County. The town contracts permit processing and inspections to SAFEbuilt — inspections are scheduled at 720-641-1956, and new contractor accounts are set up through the town at 303-681-2324. Adopted codes are published on the town’s building codes page.
That distinction matters for anyone comparing Larkspur to nearby unincorporated Douglas County addresses, which permit through the county building division in Castle Rock instead. Two neighbours a few minutes apart can be under two different authorities, and we confirm which applies to the specific parcel before drawing anything.
Estate Lots, Wells and Septic
Larkspur’s Estate District zoning is written for large-lot, low-density residential use and to preserve the existing rural character of the property. Practically, that means space to stage a project but also long service runs and, on many properties, private water and on-site wastewater rather than municipal service.
Wells are permitted by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, a state authority, and on-site wastewater systems are permitted and inspected by the Douglas County Health Department. Douglas County has roughly 8,500 domestic wells on the state’s books. If a project adds fixtures, the capacity of the existing septic system is the first question to answer, before layout.
Elevation, Weather and Foundations
At 6,880 feet Larkspur sits well above the metro floor, and its position along the Palmer Divide corridor puts it in the stretch of the Front Range with among the highest large-hail frequency in the country. That shows up in roofing decisions, in exterior material choices and in how exposed elevations get detailed.
The area is also wooded wildland-urban interface country. Douglas County publishes a wildfire hazard overlay map and recommended construction materials for hazard areas — ember-resistant vent screening, soffited eaves, non-combustible materials, with the assessment covering the first 100 feet around the structure. Whether those provisions apply through the town’s own adopted code or the county overlay depends on the parcel, so we confirm it rather than assume. On foundations, Douglas County requires special design where expansive soils are present, allowing slabs to move independently of framing and adding foundation drains where needed.
Services We Provide in Larkspur
All work below is permitted and inspected under the authority with jurisdiction over Larkspur.
- Kitchen Remodeling in LarkspurLayouts, cabinets, counters, full gut rebuilds
- Bathroom Remodeling in LarkspurPrimary baths, guest baths, wet-area rebuilds
- Basement Finishing in LarkspurEgress, ceiling height, permits, finished space
- Home Additions in LarkspurBump-outs, second stories, whole-room additions
- Roofing in LarkspurReplacement, storm damage, Class 4 options
- Deck Building in LarkspurComposite and wood decks, rails, structural repair
- Fencing in LarkspurWood, composite and metal fence installation
- Framing in LarkspurStructural framing, walls, load-bearing changes
- Drywall in LarkspurHang, tape, texture, repair and patching
- Tile Work in LarkspurFloors, showers, backsplashes, waterproofing
- Painting in LarkspurInterior and exterior, prep and finish work
- Demolition in LarkspurSelective interior demo and full teardowns
Nearby in Douglas County
We work throughout Douglas County. Nearby communities:
Common Questions
Do I permit through the town or through Douglas County?
Inside Larkspur town limits, through the Town of Larkspur Building Department, with inspections handled by SAFEbuilt. Unincorporated addresses nearby permit through the Douglas County Building Division in Castle Rock.
Who permits a well or a septic system?
Wells are permitted by the Colorado Division of Water Resources. On-site wastewater systems are permitted and inspected by the Douglas County Health Department.
Does wildfire mitigation affect my remodel?
It can. Douglas County publishes recommended materials for wildfire hazard areas — ember-resistant vent screening, non-combustible materials, an assessment of the first 100 feet around the structure. Whether they apply is a parcel-by-parcel question we confirm up front.
Talk to Us About Your Project
We work throughout Douglas County and the wider Denver metro. Tell us what you are trying to do, and we will tell you what it takes — permits, code, sequence and a real number — before anyone signs anything. See our Colorado remodeling price guide or read more about the areas we serve in Douglas County.