Building Division Info Center

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Get a Building Permit?

• New Building: Examples include but are not limited to: dwellings, garages, detached storage sheds (over 120 square feet), carports, pole barns, commercial buildings, manufactured housing or mobile homes.
• Additions: Examples include but are not limited to: buildings, swimming pools, decks, retaining walls over 48 inches, and fences over six feet high.
• Alterations: Beyond cosmetic, examples include but are not limited to: converting a garage to a family room, re-roofing, dry-walling, insulating, finishing a basement, and re-siding.
• Any repairs involving structural members
• Installations: Examples include but are not limited to: wood burning stoves, hot tubs, and solar collectors.

A permit is also required for changing the use of a structure such as a single-family residence to a restaurant or shop.

What do I Need to Submit in Order to Get a Building Permit?

Regardless of location or project type, the following are always required:

1. Two copies of a site plan;
2. Three copies of your building plans; and
3. The application form (PDF) or available from the Building Division.

1. A Soils Report: Soils reports may be required in the mountains and are always required in the plains (defined as east of Broadway and east of Foothills Highway)
2. Warranty Deed: A copy of your warranty deed which has been recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder's Office for new residences and/or recently acquired property.
3. Evidence of Water: Evidence of water supply as a water tap or letter of commitment from a water department; or, a copy of your approved well permit from the State of Colorado Engineer's Office in Denver. The State Engineer's Office can be reached at (303) 866-3587.
4. Evidence of Sanitation: Evidence of sanitation such as a sewer tap or letter of commitment from the sanitation agency; or, a copy of your septic approval form from the Boulder County Health Department. Whenever an addition increases the total number of bedrooms or involves sanitation facilities, Health Department Approval will be required.
5. Access: If your property does not front on a County Road shown on the official Boulder County Road Map, it may be necessary to submit additional information such as recorded access easements or other proof of legal access. So that the inspectors will be able to find your property more easily, a location map should also be submitted unless you are in an easy-to-find location.

Please Note: Building permits can be applied for and issued until 4:00PM.

What Plans are Necessary?

1. Your planned project must be prepared in a graphic form.
2. Construction drawings or plans must show all proposed work and details of compliance to building codes and the Boulder County Land Use Code.
3. THREE complete sets of drawings must be submitted to the Building Division for review (FOUR if in Jamestown).
4. The plans and specifications should be of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the proposed work.
5. Incomplete plans will be returned to the applicant without review.

What Does a Complete Set of Plans Included?

1. Site Plan - showing setbacks from property lines
2. Foundation plan with wet stamp from Colorado Engineer (see following note)
3. Floor Plans
4. Structural Plans
5. Elevations (front, rear, and side views. Show existing grade and structure height.)
6. Cross-Section

What do You Mean by "Setbacks"?

A setback is a fixed distance from your property line, or in certain cases, a highway centerline. Setbacks vary depending on the zoning district in which your property is located; whether your project is in a PUD or a newly platted subdivision; and whether or not you are on a corner lot.

If in doubt of your setbacks, please ask! You can either phone our office at 303-441-3930, or you can e-mail.

These setbacks are a MINIMUM. When an application is submitted, the site plan is reviewed to see if the placement of the construction meets the minimum setbacks. If your site plan is NOT to scale and you do not specify a measurement, we may reject your application as incomplete.

Don't delay your permit unnecessarily -- Provide complete information.

• Setback Verification

If you wish to avoid submitting a survey of the boundary line, the Zoning Administrator will accept affirmation of the property owner that a setback has been complied with when the proposed distance is 20% GREATER than the minimum setback, i.e. if the minimum setback is 15 feet, and the site plan indicates an actual setback of 18 feet or more, you would not have to have this line surveyed as you exceed the minimum by 20%.

Do You Have to be a Licensed Contractor?

• NEW! Beginning July 1, 2008, Boulder County will begin licensing contractors.
• Plumbers and electricians must have a state license.
• Building Permits are mandatory regardless of the license.

If My Property is Within the City Limits, Do I Get a Building Permit from Boulder County?

Boulder County Building Division does not have jurisdiction over any cities within Boulder County, but we do have agreements with Nederland and Jamestown to review building permits within the two towns. If your project is within a city, contact each city directly. The following are phone numbers to contact each city.

• Boulder: (303) 441-3280
• Broomfield: (303) 469-3301
• Erie: (303) 926-2770
• Jamestown: (303) 449-1806
• Lafayette: (303) 665-9271
• Longmont: (303) 651-8330
• Louisville: (303) 666-6565
• Lyons: (303) 823-6622
• Nederland: (303) 258-3266
• Superior: (303) 499-3675
• Ward: (303) 459-3358

When Do I Need Inspections?

The type and number of inspections vary depending on the complexity of your project. All requests for inspection(s) must be received before 3:30 pm the working day prior to the requested inspection in order to assure efficient scheduling and routing of the inspectors. Phone the Building Division at (303) 441-3925 to schedule or get more information about inspections.

May I change my Mind?

Yes -- If you need to change your application form, just ask for assistance. If you want to make minor changes to your plans, submit three sets of revisions to the Building Division. The revised plans will be reviewed, and one of the approved copies will be returned to you. Additional plan check fees may be required for extensive revisions.

For major plan revisions, an entirely new permit may be required. If the issued permit needs to be withdrawn and replaced with a new permit, you may be eligible for up to an 80% credit of the original permit fee paid.

How Long is the Permit Active?

Issued permits are valid indefinitely provided work is commenced within 180 days of issuance and is not suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days.

What is Required to Convert a Residence to an Accessory Structure?

The existing dwelling must be converted to and accessory structure prior to occupancy of the new dwelling. Bathing facilities must be eliminated by removing the bathing plumbing fixtures and all associated plumbing. Cooking facilities must be eliminated by removing the cooking appliances and all associated wiring and gas piping.