Construction inspection: City of Fort Collins

Construction Inspection

Purpose | Permits Issued | Excavation Information | Licensing Fees

Purpose

The Construction Inspection Department works with the development and construction community to ensure compliance to the city's codes, standards and specifications. Part of the inspector's job is to research and implement new construction techniques, materials, and recommend specification changes when warranted. Inspection services are provided on capital projects, subdivision development, and construction permit work. Color codes are used by the different city departments when marking underground facilities.

Permits Issued by the Engineering Department

Contractors wanting to perform work in the City Public Right-of-way will need a contractor's license, asphalt license and/or a utility license issued by the City Engineering department.

Programs & Services

Development Review> Construction Inspection/PermitsPavement Management Program Street Oversizing Engineering Documents (E-Docs)Other Services Larimer County Road Closures & Construction Delays Green Building

Department Info

Street Design & Construction Standards Contacting Us

The Engineering department issues the following permits:

Permit	Description	Fee Amount
Excavation (Download permit [pdf])	Also called a "street cut permit" - issued anytime cutting is to be done in the city right-of-way i.e. sidewalk work, boring, cutting street. Anyone excavating in the Public Right-of-Way whether Licensed Contractors, Licensed Plumbers, City Crews, Utility Contractors, etc. need to acquire a permit.	$30 application fee $50 inspection fee
Encroachment (Download permit [pdf])	Issued when obstructions or encroachments are erected in City right-of-way i.e. tables, fences, posts, dumpsters, etc. Outdoor seating guidelines (Download pamphlet [pdf])	$10 regular $50 outdoor eating
Drive Approach	Issued when work on drive approach for driveway is done.	$25.00 up to 15' $0.30 for additional footage
Over Length/Over Sized	Issued when an over-length, over-sized, over-weight vehicle will be using city streets i.e. trucks hauling large loads (yachts, machinery, etc.).	No fee - non-structure.
Moving Buildings, Houses, Mobile Homes	Issued when moving houses, sheds, mobile homes and other buildings.	$25.00 structure only
House Numbers	Issued when groups want to paint house numbers on curbs in neighborhoods. Usually non-profit groups.	No charge.
Stockpiling		$65
Banner (Download Horizontal permit [pdf]) (Download Vertical permit [pdf])		no fee
Development Construction		$400 application fee; development fees vary; smaller $200
Newspaper Encroachment(Download permit [pdf])	Permit required to place any free stand publication rack within City rights of way. This includes locations within the downtown area that at locations occupied by modular condominiums. One (1) permit is required annually - per location.	$10 per application per year
Portable Signs in the Right of Way (Download permit [pdf])	Permit to place portable signs in public rights of way. This is limited to a defined boundary (click here for map). Permit must be inspected and approved prior to placement, "grandfather" locations do not apply.	$10 per application per year

Excavation Information

Why Do We Have Street Cut Fees?

In an effort to cover both the costs of utility cut inspection and the increased maintenance costs caused by utility cuts. This fee will have three parts:

Administrative Costs

Inspections Costs

Pavement Impact Costs

The permits will be administrated through the City of Fort Collins Engineering Department.

When Will the Permit Be Issued?

Once the Excavation permit has been completed a minimum of 5 days is required for the City Engineer's approval.

When Does the Permit Expire?

The permit will expire 30 days from the date of approval.

Excavation and Construction Inspection Fees

A Non-refundable Permit Application Fee shall accompany each application for an excavation permit to cover the costs of administration. If the permit is denied, the Application Fee shall not be refunded. If the permit is approved an Inspection and Pavement Impact Fee shall be charged. These Fees shall be as follows:

Fee	Description	Fee Amount
Inspection Fee	An Inspection Fee will be charged for each 1,000 square feet or portion thereof.	$50.00 per 1,000 sq. ft.
Pavement Impact Fee	A Pavement Impact will be assessed per square foot of excavation, in asphalt as well as concrete pavement.	Sq. Ft. of Excavation	Pavement Impact Fee* Cost Per Sq. Ft.
		1 to 100	$3.85
		101 to 500	$2.75
		501 to 3,000	$2.20
		over 3,000	$1.65

*The Pavement Impact Fee will be tripled for streets that have been constructed, reconstructed, overlaid or have received a sealcoat within the last five years. Conversely, the Pavement Impact Fee may be waived or reduced for utility reparis made in advance of scheduled pavement rehabilitation projects, or when the utility company performs a complete street overlay in conjunction with the utility repairs performed.

Contractor's Licensing Fees:

Any person wishing to perform work in the public Right-of-Way, regardless of the nature of the work, shall be required to obtain a Right-of-Way Contractors License prior to performing the work. ( Download permit [pdf])

A $35.00 fee shall be paid with the submittal of the application.

A $95.00 fee shall be paid at the time of issuance of the License. There are one time fees not annual fees, although new fees will be charged in the event a revoked license is reinstated. (Section 15-361).