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Residential Projects
Contractors with trust accounts: Online submission for over-the-counter permits
Contractors with trust accounts only can submit online for over-the-counter permits.
If you don’t have a trust account, it’s easy to set one up; click here 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.
Do I need a Permit?
Most work requires a building permit, but some work is exempt.
- Roofing Information
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Roofing
- Permits are required for re-roofs.
- Roofers must be licensed locally in the City of Fort Collins
- Class 4 impact requirements apply to:
- All structures with asphalt shingles including sheds and detached garages.
- When 50% or more of the roof is being replaced.
- 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.
- Partial re-roofs (any size) are allowed - (no 1 square rule).
UPDATED! Roofing Requirements 2018 IRC
- Residential Alterations (Deck, Shed, Patio Cover, Car Port, Remodel, Solar, Water Heater, AC, Furnace, Fire Place, Fire Pit, Pole Barn, Garage, Demo, etc.)
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Project Requirements Application Form Roofing Deck NEW! Deck Guide Shed
- Pre-Built Structures or Kits may be required to be designed and stamped by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer.
- Sheds attached to the house (lean-to) are considered an addition and require engineering.
Pole Barn Must be designed and stamped by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer. Patio Cover or Carport Pre-Built Structures or Kits may be required to be designed and stamped by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer.
Shade Sail NEW! Shade Sail Handout Pergola Pre-Built Structures or Kits may be required to be designed and stamped by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer.
Detached Garage - Detached Garage Guide
- Insulation Required for Heated Garages
- Pre-Built Structures or Kits may be required to be designed and stamped by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer.
Interior remodel Submit existing and proposed plans. Engineering may be required for structural work. Basement Finish Basement Finish Guide Convert a Single Family House to a Duplex Solar Solar Guide Solar Application Water Heater / Furnace / AC
- One permit per appliance
- New Install or replacement
Heating/Cooling/Water Heater Permit Application 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 Demolition Demo Permit Application Backflow Preventer for Lawn Sprinkler Lawn Sprinkler Permit Application Plumbing Plumbing Permit Application Electric Electric Permit Application - New Addition (enclosing a patio cover, pop-the-top, lean-to shed, extension)
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New Addition
An addition is adding enclosed area to the existing structure. Some examples are: enclosing a covered patio, adding a second level ("pop the top"), adding an attached shed ("lean-to"), adding area to the house for a larger kitchen or master bedroom.
Forms and Applications:
- Building Permit Application
- Submit for an additional Demo Permit when removing exterior portions of the house for the new addition.
- Submit the Mechanical Design Form and mechanical load calcs for new/secondary forced air systems (New furnace and new ductwork).
- Use the prescriptive sections of the Energy Compliance Form for insulation values required.
- Construction Waste Management Plan
- New Home Construction
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New Home Construction
A newly built home is a house constructed in place from the foundation up and built under the current International Residential Code (IRC). The New Residential Submittal Guide can be used for the following:
- A Single Family Detached House
- Duplexes
- Townhomes (In the City of Fort Collins, "Townhomes" are defined as: Side by side dwelling units attached to each other with each unit is on its own lot, separated by property lines. Townhomes should be designed and built under the International Residential Code (IRC).
Forms and Applications:
- Residential Stock Plans
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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
- Innovative Homes
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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 2018 IRC Tiny House appendix!
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).