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Residential and Commercial Alterations#

Yes, most work requires a building permit, but some work is exempt.

Work Exempt from Permit

  • Can I do the work myself? 
    • Homeowners may perform work on their primary residence only, if it is a single family detached home. 
    • Owners of commercial buildings and single-family attached homes may perform work on their buildings if the total amount of work is less than $2,000 and does not include any structural, mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work. 
  • Can I hire someone? 
    • All contractors and subcontractors hired to perform work must be licensed with the City of Fort Collins for the type work being done. This is verified prior to permit issuance. To confirm that your contractor/subcontractor are licensed and up to date contact: contractor_licensing@fcgov.com

Contractor Licensing

  Description Contact 
Development Review

A development review process may be required prior to submitting for a building permit for:

  • New buildings
  • Additions
  • Change of use to land
  • Change of use to buildings

Website:

www.fcgov.com/developmentreview 

Email:

drcoord@fcgov.com 

Phone: 970-221-6689

 

 

Poudre Fire Authority (PFA)

PFA  is a multi -jurisdictional Fire Department. Separate and additional online submittals are required for most commercial and multi-family projects. 

1. A submittal will be required for fire code review for all new construction and most commercial tenant finish projects.

2. A separate and additional submittal will be required for any fire systems installations or alterations i.e. sprinkler, fire alarm, hood and duct, etc.

3. When required, City of Fort Collins Building permits will not be issued without PFA issued permits and/or approvals and sign-off.

Website:

www.poudre-fire.org/online-services/contractors-plan-reviews-and-permits

Phone: 970-416-2892

Larimer County Health Department

Larimer County Health Department is a multi-jurisdictional Health Department.  Separate and additional submittals are required for:

  1. Food or drink service, preparation, handling, or processing (Bars, Breweries, Distilleries, Restaurants, Commercial Commissary Kitchens, Food Manufacturing/Packaging, Grocery Stores) 
  2. Daycare
  3. Schools
  4. Healthcare Facilities
  5. Public recreational facilities (Pools)
  6. Institutions (Nursing home, Assisted Living, Rehab Centers, Hospitals)
  7. Individual sewage disposal systems (septic and potable water wells). 

When required, City of Fort Collins Building permits will not be issued without LCHD approval.

Website:

www.larimer.org/health

Email:

EH@larimer.org

Phone: 970-498-6775

Zoning  Change of use or exterior modifications (including: facade, parking, landscaping, signage, or other changes visible to the public) may require a permit

Website:

www.fcgov.com/zoning

Email:

zoning@fcgov.com 

Phone: 970-416-2745

Floodplain

Is your building located in a flood plain?

Buildings and alterations to buildings located in with a floodplain have specific requirements and limitations. 

Website:

www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps-documents

Email:

floodplains@fcgov.com

Phone: 970-416-2632
Historic Preservation 

Is your building historically designated? Or, need a commercial/multi-family permit for a building over 50 years old?

Exterior alterations (including siding and windows) on historically-designated property and commercial/multi-family permits require review by Historic Preservation Services. Check out the incentives available for projects in Fort Collins. Not sure if replacing materials is cheaper than repairing what you have? Check out the cost calculator tool.

Website:

www.fcgov.com/historicpreservation

Email:

preservation@fcgov.com

Phone: 970-224-6078

Get info guides and checklists, permit applications, and resources specific to your project type:

Project Info:

Resources:

Plans should be submitted in PDF format only. Each PDF needs to be named correctly

I've successfully submitted my permit, what happens next? The design, plans and documents submitted will be reviewed. 

*****No work can begin until the applicant has received a copy of the building permit and approved plans. (Reviewers add red-lines and conditional comments to the plans that you will need for construction).******** 

Why Review? Review at the design phase reduces costly re-construction and failed inspections. 

Who Reviews? The project is reviewed by many City Departments for compliance with building codes, land use code, zoning, historic, flood plain, and other project specific requirements.

I received an e-mail that a "Resubmittal is Requested," does that mean I have to submit for a new permit? 

No, this just means that a reviewer may need additional information, or revised plans/documents. (The permit has not been denied, but corrected documents may need to be re-submitted under the same permit).

How do I resubmit my plans/documents?

Follow the resubmittal instructions in the email you received. New documents should be named v2 (v=version   #=round of review). 

How long will it take to process a resubmittal?

Resubmittals have priority and are typically assigned a two week max turn around after submitted for building code review. You may contact the building code reviewer directly for questions about their timeline.

screen shot from citizen access showing how to navigate to the workflow and view comments from different departments

Permit Status:

  1. Use the Citizen Portal
  2. Under the Building category, select 'Search permits' (see photo above)
  3. Enter the address, permit number or stock plan number (i.e. B180xxxx or SP0xxxx), scroll down to click on 'Search'
  4. Select the permit/project from the list.
  5. Click 'Record Info' for drop down list of options (top left corner)
  6. Select 'Workflow Tasks'
    • No icon = task has not been activated/routed yet (not complete)
    • Hourglass = not completed, in process, or additional items are needed from the applicant.
    • Green check mark = completed task
  7. Click the grey triangle/arrow next to each task to view holds/comments from each reviewer.

Building and Zoning Review Times 

This chart provides target review dates for Zoning (Land Use Code Compliance review) and Building Code review. For most permit types Zoning (Land Use Code Compliance) will activate and open up the workflow of the permit and start the review time for building and all departments.

  • Target dates are subject to change due to workload.
  • Times are given in calendar days.

 

Project Type

Zoning Review Time 

Building Code Review Time

  • Egress Windows

0

5

  • Residential Remodel

7

14

  • Sales Office (for model homes/ developments)
  • Commercial Remodel (Tenant Finish)

7

21

After the submittal is accepted, an email will be sent to the applicant per the building permit application for payment of the plan check fee and permit activation.

All remaining fees will be paid at time of permit issuance. See below for payment methods and transaction fees.

Payment Method Permit Fee Range Transaction Fee

Debit / Credit Card  (no amount limit)

 

$0.00 $2,500 

2.00% + $0.25 flat fee 

$2,500.01 and above 

2.75%  

eCheck ($150,000 limit)

Any amount up to $150,000

$0.50 flat fee 

Check (drop checks in the blue drop box on the Northwest side of the building - 281 N. College Ave. Box is checked several times each business day)

Any amount  

 Free

Work can start when the applicant has received a copy of the building permit and approved plans.  Reviewers add red-lines and conditional comments to the plans that you will need for construction. 

How to create an account on Citizen Access

How to download the approved plans

Citizen Access Portal

The type and quantity of inspections are project specific. 

  • Example: A new patio cover may have electrical, or may not. If a patio cover does have electrical, then a rough electric and final electric inspection would be needed for that project. 

Learn about inspection types and how to schedule them here: 

Inspections

What to submit#

1. Download the approved, or the most current document set from citizen access that needs to be revised.

2. Only revise document sets that are being altered/changed.

3. Retain red-line comments/mark-ups that were added by City of Fort Collins if present.

4. Replace, add, or delete sheets where needed in the set.

  • Replaced and added sheets cannot have working comments from the applicant/design team (new sheets must be flattened)

5. Cloud/bubble/delta and/or clearly indicated what is changing on the new pages.

6. Rename the plan set with the next version number. (view citizen access to see what the next version needs to be. If most current set is v2, then submit as v3).

  • Name each document correctly:  Instructions
    • Example:  Plans - 1234 Example Street - v3
    • Example: Mech Docs - 1234 Example Street - v3
    • Example: Site Plan - 1234 Example Street - v3

7. Fill out the Revision Form. Save the form and name re-name it: 

  • Letter - The Project Address – v1 (example: Letter - 1234 Example Street - v1)

9. E-mail revision form and revised documents to to buildingservices@fcgov.com

10. A $50-200 fee will be assessed by plan review based on the revision and project type.

Cloud/Bubble changes on plans#

 

 

Cost of applicant initiated revisions (post building plan review)

Revision size

Description

Cost

Small

  • Minor layout revisions (less than 25% of the floor area is affected)Change in window type/size
  • Minor Structural revisions (changing a beam size, connections etc. where 25% or less of the structural design is changing)
  • Solar revisions (wiring/connection changes, panel layout, full solar redesign (adding battery backup interface, automatic transfer switch).

$50

Medium

  • Significant residential layout changes (more than 25% of the floor area is affected)
  • Change of Energy Path (for new construction or additions)
  • Significant structural revisions (more than 25% of the structural design is changing)
  • Changes to the Mechanical Design (for new construction or additions)

$100

Large

  • Significant commercial layout changes (more than 25% of the floor area is affected)
  • Commercial Change of occupancy or different tenant
  • Increased Commercial project square footage
  • Change in a new building or addition size or orientation (only when initiated by the applicant).

$200

1.  Check the permit status: www.fcgov.com/CitizenAccess

  • Search permits / Record Info /  workflow tasks / click on the small '+' to expand/view individual hold comments.   

2.  Plan time to send in final documents (some departments have a long lead times).

3. All inspections must be passed.

4. All departments/tasks must be signed off.

5. Most projects will receive a Letter of Completion or Certificate of Occupancy which can be downloaded from Citizen Access when the project is fully completed.

6. Uncompleted permits will expire. Expired permits become an open violation on the property. 

Permit submittal requirements by project type.#

Type a project name/description into the search box to find submittal information. Search Here:#

Showing 1 to 17 of 17 entries

Permit Fees#

Use the permit fee calculator below 

The calculator is based on the table below:

  • 35% of total fee is paid at time of permit submittal.
  • The remaining 65% is paid at the time of permit issuance.

Value of residential/commercial alterations

Fee Scale

Valuation up to:                           

 $2,000

$105

$25,000

$105 for the first $2k, then $15.5 for each $1k after

 $50,000

$461.5 for the first $25k, then $10.5 for each $1k after

$100,000

$724 for the first $50k, then $6.5 for each $1k after

$500,000

$1049 for the first $100k, then $60 for each $10k after

Greater than $500,001 

$3449 for the first $500k, then $55 for each $10k after

 

Fee Type by department Fee Description
City and County Sales/Use Tax 

5.15% on half of the total construction valuation – view Sales Tax website at https://www.fcgov.com/salestax/tax-rates.php

See sales tax calculator below

Capital Expansion Fees and Larimer County Regional Road Fees

Based on square footage of a new building or per dwelling unit for residential. https://www.fcgov.com/finance/capitalexpansion.php

  • Community Parkland 
  • Neighborhood Parkland 
  • Fire 
  • General Governmental Services 
  • Police

 

Transportation Capital Expansion Fees and Larimer County Regional Road Fees:

Fees are based on type of development, new traffic being added to the transportation system, and last approved use for the site. Development categories are defined by the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual, not the International Building and Residential Codes. For a detailed listing of fees, please visit: https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/tcef.php
Water & Sewer Fees:

Plant Investment Fees and Water Rights -- schedules and further information available by contacting a Utility Rate and Fee Specialist:

(970) 416-4252

utilityfees@fcgov.com 

https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/business/builders-and-developers/plant-investment- development-fees

Stormwater Fee:

Plant Investment Fee - For further information contact a Utility Rate and Fee Specialist: 

(970) 416-4252

utilityfees@fcgov.com

https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/business/builders-and-developers/plant-investment- development-fees
Electric Underground Secondary Service Charge:
  • Single Family Residence Elec. Secondary Service (typical) charges may vary depending on service …$2,054.00
  • Temporary Pedestal Service - per Single Family Residence (unattached)…$ 330.45

Other development charges may apply.

Additional information and electric development fee calculator:

https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/business/builders-and-developers/plant-investment-

development-fees/electric-development-fee-estimator

https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/rates-fees.php 

Contact Light & Power Engineering at:

(970) 221-6700 

electricprojectengineering@fcgov.com

Poudre School District Impact Fee (per dwelling unit)
  • New Single Family Detached, or 2-4 attached dwelling units...$1,710.00
  • 5 or more attached dwelling units...$855.00
Thompson School District Impact Fee (per dwelling unit)
  • New Single Family Detached, or 2-4 attached dwelling units...$1,382.00
  • 5 or more attached dwelling units...$946.00
Poudre Fire Authority Permit Fees Fire review and permit fees 
Payment Method Permit Fee Range Transaction Fee

Debit / Credit Card  (no amount limit)

 

$0.00 $2,500 

2.00% + $0.25 flat fee 

$2,500.01 and above 

2.75%  

eCheck ($150,000 limit)

Any amount up to $150,000

$0.50 flat fee 

Check (drop checks in the blue drop box on the Northwest side of the building - 281 N. College Ave. Box is checked several times each business day)

Any amount  

 Free

Permit Fee Calculator#

$

Bldg Permit Fee