General Residential Permit exemptions#

Current Adopted Codes

1. Other than storm shelters, one-story detached accessory structures for lawn and garden equipment storage, tool storage and similar uses, including arbors, pergolas, and similar structures, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11.15 m2) or 8 feet (2.438 m) in height, do not house flammable liquids in quantities exceeding 10 gallons (38 l) per building and are located at least 3 feet (0.914 m) from an adjoining property

2. Fences not over 6 feet (1829 mm)

3. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the low side grade to the top of the wall unless supporting a surcharge, provided the horizontal distance to the next uphill retaining wall is at least equal to the total height of the lower retaining.

4. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18,927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.

5. Sidewalks and driveways. 

6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish.

7. Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep.

8. Swings and other playground equipment, or playhouse/play structures not exceeding 120 square feet (11.15 m2), including no more than one elevated playhouse or play structure per lot designed, and said equipment or structure is used exclusively for play. Elevated playhouses or play structures shall not exceed 64 square feet (5.9 m2) of floor area nor 6 feet (1.82 m) in height measured from the floor to the highest point of such structure. 

9. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support. Storm window, storm door and rain gutter installation except that, for structures that are fifty years of age or older, historic review pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code first must be completed.

10. Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section 311.4.

11. Roofing repair or replacement work not exceeding one square (100 square feet) of covering per building. 

12. Replacement of nonstructural siding that is not part of a fire-rated assembly when removal of siding is performed in accordance with State laws regarding asbestos and lead paint except that, for structures fifty years of age or older, historic review pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code first must be completed. 

13. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems. Hoop houses not for public use that are constructed with a flexible frame such as PVC tubing used for starting plants. 

Electrical#

1. Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting.
2. Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles but not the outlets therefor.
3. Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location.
4. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
5. Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

Fuel and Gas#

1. Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.
2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
3. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnectedto a power grid.

Mechanical#

1. Portable heating appliances.
2. Portable ventilation appliances.
3. Portable cooling units.
4. Steam, hot- or chilled-water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative coolers.
7. Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.
8. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnectedto a power grid.

Plumbing#

1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the repair and replacement of garbage disposal units and dishwashers directly connected to the sanitary sewer system, including the necessary replacement of all tail pipes and traps, or the repair, maintenance, and replacement of of sinks, faucets, drains, showers, tubs, and toilets, provided such repairs do not involve the replacement or rearrangement of valves or pipes. (New! mid-cycle amendment effective 2/16/2024)

General Commercial and Multi-Family permit exemptions#

Current Adopted Codes

The following permit exemptions in no way are deemed to allow violations of the City of Fort Collins Codes or any other applicable regulations.

1. Detached accessory buildings used for lawn and garden equipment storage, tool storage and similar uses, including arbors, pergolas, and similar structures, provided that the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet (11 m2)  nor greater than 8 feet (2.438 m) in height measured from grade, the structures do not house flammable liquids in quantities exceeding 10 gallons (38 L) per building, and the structures are located at least 3 feet (0.914 m) from an adjoining property line.

2. Residential fences six feet in height or less.

3. Oil derricks.

4. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the low side grade to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge provided the horizontal distance to the next uphill retaining wall shall be at least equal to the total height of the lower retaining wall.

5. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity is not greater than  5,000 gallons (18,927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1. 

6. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route. 

7. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work. 

8. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.

9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and are installed entirely above ground. 

10. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems. Hoop houses constructed with a flexible frame such as PVC tubing used for starting plants.  

11. Swings and other playground equipment or play structures accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings provided that the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet (11.15 m2) nor greater than 8 feet (2.438 m) in height measured from grade, including no more than one elevated playhouse or play structure per lot designed, and said equipment or structure is used exclusively for play. Elevated play houses or play structures shall not exceed 64 square feet (5.9 m2) of floor area nor 6 feet (1.82 m) in height as measured from the floor to the highest point of such structure.

12.  Window awnings,  supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support. Storm windows, storm doors, and rain gutter installation except that, for structures fifty years of age or older,  historic review pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code first must be completed. 

13. Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height. 

14. Decks not exceeding 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade, are not attached to a building, and do not serve an exit door required by Chapter 10.  

15. Roofing repair or replacement work not exceeding one square (100 square feet) of covering per building. 

16. Replacement of nonstructural siding that is not part of a fire-rated assembly when the removal of siding is performed in accordance with State laws regarding asbestos and lead paint except that, for structures fifty years of age or older, historic review pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code first must be completed.  

Electrical work exempt from permit#

1. Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection
of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
2. Radio and television transmitting stations: The provisions of this code shall not apply to electrical
equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for a power supply and the installations of towers and antennas.
3. Temporary testing systems: A permit shall not be required for the installation of any temporary system
required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.

Fuel and Gas work exempt from permit#

1. Portable heating appliance.
2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe

Mechanical work exempt from permit#

1. Portable heating appliance.
2. Portable ventilation equipment.
3. Portable cooling unit.
4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5. Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative cooler.
7. Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (0.75 kW) or less.

Plumbing work exempt from permit#

1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the repair and replacement of garbage disposal units and dishwashers directly connected to the sanitary sewer system, including the necessary replacement of all tail pipes and traps, or the repair, maintenance, and replacement of of sinks, faucets, drains, showers, tubs, and toilets, provided such repairs do not involve the replacement or rearrangement of valves or pipes. (New! mid-cycle amendment effective 2/16/2024)