A Guide to Help Determine if a Building Permit is Required
Many homeowners are not aware when a permit is required.
As a general rule, any construction work that is regulated by adopted building codes and fire and public safety regulations requires a building permit before work can begin.
The list below does not cover all activities. It is advisable to contact the Building Division at 970-498-7700 before starting your work if you are uncertain if a permit is required.
Building Permit Required
- To erect a new building or structure including homes, cabins, garages, agricultural buildings, swimming pools, and manufactured/modular/mobile homes
- To demolish, repair, alter, add onto, move, or change the occupancy of an existing building or structure
- Renovations (garage conversions, basement finishes, kitchen expansions, room alterations, etc.)
- Commercial decks, residential decks that serve a required exit door or are more than 30” above grade
- Fences greater than 7 feet high Fireplace/woodstove installations
- Propane tank and gas line installations and/or repairs
- Air Conditioners/Heat Systems (addition or replacement)
- Most electrical and plumbing work
- Water heaters
- Any repair which will change or affect the structural nature of a building or structure
- Signs and signage (temporary or permanent)
- Roof repairs over 100 square feet and re-roofing
- Replacement of structural siding
- Retaining walls 4 feet or higher
- Solar Panel systems installed on roofs, walls, or ground
- Commercial floor plan alterations and changes to use or occupancy
- Fire alarms and fire sprinkler systems (obtain permit from local fire district or State Fire Marshal)
Building Permit NOT Required
- Residential decks not more than 30” above grade at any point and that do not serve a required exit door
- Fences 7 feet high or less
- Painting, cabinet work, decorating, tiling, counter tops, laying carpet, or other similar finish work
- Repairs/maintenance using similar or same materials which do not affect any mechanical work
- Non-habitable accessory structures (storage shed, playhouse, etc.) not greater than 200 square feet in floor area with no utilities
- Roof repairs not exceeding 100 sq. ft. per building Replacement of windows that are the same size or smaller than existing windows
- Drywall and/or insulation installation and replacement Concrete flatwork such as driveways or sidewalks
- Replacement of non-structural siding
- Pergolas, arbors or trellises whose roof area is at least 67% open.
- Playground equipment and swings, including one elevated playhouse per lot not exceeding 64 square feet in floor area nor over 8 feet high from floor to highest point
- Shade cloth and maximum 6-mil, single layer poly- roofed structures used for agricultural and nursery purposes with no general public access and no utilities
- Agricultural windmills used for the purpose of water generation, decorative windmills, or private windmill generation 12 feet or less in height
Building and Land Use Code requirements, including but not limited to lot coverage, setbacks, and floodplain regulations, apply to structures exempt from building permits.
