Residential Permits || Building Services

Residential Projects#

Notice

Building Services will have reduced staff the first week of March for staff training and continued education requirements through the International Code Council.

Inspections are limited during this time:

March 1st: No commercial electrical inspections.
March 3rd: No inspections of any kind.
March 4th: No commercial electrical inspections.

Do I Need a Permit?

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

Work exempt from permit

How do I get started?

A permit must be issued and approved before work can start.
Select a project type from table below using the "search" box.
Submit electronic plans remotely: Electronic Document Submittals.
Access building codes.
Approved Plans are Required for Inspection.

Building Permit Process

Over-The-Counter Online Submission Form

Over-the-counter applications can be submitted online. Applications will be processed within 72 hours and the applicant will be contacted for payment. Note: contractors submitting more than 5 permits at a time will need to establish a trust account. Contact 970-416-2740 for more information.

Contractors will have instant access to the permit through the Citizen Access Portal as soon as it is issued, where the permit should be printed and provided to the homeowner.

Submit

Find permit submittal information for your project . Use the "Search" box here:#

Project Type	Requirements	Application Form
Accessory building with habitable space (New or Converted) Living space in a separate building on the same property/lot Separate building for a home office or bedroom Guesthouse (bedroom and/or bathroom, or living space without a kitchen)	Submit: Proposed plans including structural design (the foundation at a min. must be engineered) Site Plan Newly built structures must pass an air tightness test for project completion Energy Compliance Form Mechanical Design Form and Manual JDS required when both a new furnace + all new ductwork are installed	Building Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
Addition: Enclosing a covered patio, Adding a second level ("pop-the-top"), Adding an attached shed ("lean-to"), Enlarging, expanding, or adding enclosed area to the existing house.	Addition Guide Mechanical Design Form required when both a new furnace + all new ductwork are installed, or when adding a second furnace. Energy Compliance Form When addition is heated Construction Waste Management Plan	Building Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
Backflow Preventer for Lawn Sprinkler		Lawn Sprinkler Permit Application
Basement Finish	Basement Finish Guide	Building Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
Deck	NEW! Deck Guide	Building Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
Demolition	Residential Demo Guide Asbestos Awareness Disclosure Construction Waste Management Plan	Demo Permit Application
Duplex Conversion Convert a Single Family House into a Two-Family Dwelling	Duplex Conversion Guide Submittal Guide	Building Permit Application
Duplex / Two-family dwellings (New Build) Two attached dwelling units both located on a single lot / parcel	Submittal Guide and Checklist Residential Energy Compliance Form Mechanical Design Form Construction Waste Management Plan A Demolition Permit is required when demolishing an existing structure.	Building Permit Application
Electric	If scope of work involves more than electric, submit for a remodel permit	Electric Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
Fireplace / Gas Fire Pit / Wood burning stoves	Wood Burning Stove Guide EPA Product List For gas fire pits, submit a site plan and manufacturer's specs with the permit application	Gas / Wood Burning Appliance Application
Garage (Detached)	Detached Garage Guide Insulation Required for Heated Garages Pre-Built Structures or Kits may require a letter/details stamped by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer to evaluate structure for local high wind and snow loads.	Building Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
House (New Build) Carriage House Modular / Manufactured A Single Dwelling Unit: Shall mean one or more rooms and a single kitchen and at least 1 bathroom, designed, occupied or intended for occupancy as separate quarters for the exclusive use of a single family for living, cooking and sanitary purposes, located in a single-family, two-family or multi-family dwelling or mixed-use building.	Submittal Guide and Checklist Residential Energy Compliance Form Mechanical Design Form Construction Waste Management Plan Manufactured Homes (HUD) A Demolition Permit is required when demolishing an existing structure.	Building Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
Patio Cover or Carport	NEW! Patio Cover Handout Pre-Built Structures or Kits may require a letter/details stamped by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer to evaluate structure for local high wind and snow loads.	Building Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
Pergola	Pergola Guide Pre-Built Structures or Kits may require a letter/details stamped by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer to evaluate structure for local high wind and snow loads.	Building Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
Plumbing	If scope of work involves more than plumbing, submit for a remodel permit.	Plumbing Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
Pole Barn	Submit plans designed and stamped by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer.	Building Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
Remodel / Alteration Cut-ins for new windows or doors Interior layout changes such as: Bath remodel Kitchen remodel Bedroom remodel Laundry Storage Office Living space Garage conversion Attic conversion	Submit existing and proposed plans. Mechanical Design Form and Manual JDS required when both a new furnace + all new ductwork are installed, or when adding a second furnace. Energy Compliance Form If area is to become heated (garage/attic conversion) A Structural Engineer's letter or details may be required for structural work including new beams, and foundation alterations.	Building Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
Roofing Due to the extremely high volume of scheduled roof inspections, we are not able to perform next-day inspection for roofs. Roof inspections are currently scheduled several months out, and we are working to address staffing and resource challenges to address the high workload. Thank you for your patience.	Roofing and hail damage FAQ UPDATED! Roofing Requirements 2018 IRC Trust Account Handout Field Verification Form	NEW! Roofing Permit Application Submit CWMP (Construction Waste Management Plan) Construction Waste Management Electronic Submittal for roofing CWMP
Shed	Shed Guide Pre-Built Structures or Kits may be required to be designed and stamped by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer. Sheds attached to the residence (lean-to) are considered an addition and require engineering.	Building Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
Shade Sail	NEW! Shade Sail Handout	Building Permit Application Homeowner Affidavit
Solar	Solar Guide	Solar Application
Townhouse (New Build) A single-family dwelling unit constructed as part of a group of two or more attached individual dwelling units, each of which is separated from the other from the foundation to the roof and is located entirely on a separately recorded and platted parcel of land (site) bounded by property lines, which parcel is deeded exclusively for such single-family dwelling	Submittal Guide and Checklist Residential Energy Compliance Form Mechanical Design Form Construction Waste Management Plan A Demolition Permit is required when demolishing an existing structure.	Building Permit Application
Water Heater / Furnace / AC	One permit per appliance New Install or replacement	Heating/Cooling/Water Heater Permit Application
Residential Pool, Swim Spa, Hot Tubs, and Ponds. (Prefabricated or portable which can contain water more than 24" deep)	Manufacturer's specs or custom design details Engineered foundation for in-ground designs Site plan to scale Safety Barrier details or approved cover details	Building Permit Application

Innovative Homes

Innovative and Unique Homes#

We welcome a variety of home types in Fort Collins, however some types of homes are not addressed in Building Code. Below is a list of innovative home types and considerations.

Tiny Houses:

Must be site built on a permanent foundation
We have adopted the Tiny House appendix under the International Residential Code!

Shipping Containers:

Plans must be fully engineered by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer (including all openings/penetrations in the shipping container, foundation, must comply with local wind a snow loads).
Must comply with IRC energy code requirements (Residential Energy Compliance Form)
An air tightness test is required.
Must comply with all adopted codes requirements (electric, plumbing, mechanical, etc.)

Earth Ships / Straw Bale:

Plans must be fully engineered by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer (including all openings, foundation, and must be designed to comply with local wind a snow loads).
Must comply with IRC energy code requirements (Residential Energy Compliance Form)
An air tightness test is required.
Must comply with all adopted codes requirements (electric, plumbing, mechanical, etc.)

Yurt:

Movable canvas type structures are considered tents, and subject to local camping regulations.
Permanently built yurt shaped structures will need to be fully engineered by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer.
Must comply with IRC energy code requirements (Residential Energy Compliance Form)
An air tightness test is required.
Must comply with all adopted codes requirements (electric, plumbing, mechanical, etc.)

Log Homes:

Plans must be fully engineered by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer (including all openings, foundation, and must be designed to comply with local wind a snow loads).
Must comply with IRC energy code requirements (Residential Energy Compliance Form)
An air tightness test is required.
Must comply with all adopted codes requirements (electric, plumbing, mechanical, etc.)

Accessory Dwelling Unit / Mother-in-law suite / Carriage House:

A complete and independent residential unit including all of the following may be considered a duplex or second dwelling unit:

Kitchen (with cooking appliance)
Bathroom
Sleeping space/living space

Contact Zoning to see if a second dwelling unit is permitted in your zone district based on the property address. Adding an additional dwelling unit on lot can have significant permit fees and building code upgrades associated as well, (like that of a new house).

Residential Stock Plans

Residential Stock Plans for New Homes#

When the same home design will be built at least three times with limited variations, a stock plan design or master plan can be submitted for a single review and then built multiple times and connected to a site specific permit.

For example: Imagine a grab-and-go style restaurant (where you place an order, take a number and find a table). The stock plan is like the menu, and the site specific permit is like you order and table number.

Forms and Applications

Certificate of Occupancy#

Certificate of Occupancy checklist

Project Close-out list