Building permits in Arapahoe County — a major Denver metro county stretching from the urban core to the eastern plains — are issued by Public Works & Development, Building Division. Arapahoe County enforces the 2021 IBC/IRC with Arapahoe County amendments.
This guide covers what requires a permit, the Arapahoe County Online Portal, fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your Arapahoe County project stays on track.
Key Denver metro county — home to Centennial, Littleton, and Englewood suburbs. Arapahoe County Building Division handles permitting for unincorporated areas only. Cities like Aurora, Centennial, Littleton, and Englewood manage their own permits. Appointments are recommended for in-person visits to the Lima Office.
Jurisdiction note. Arapahoe County permits cover unincorporated areas only. If your project is within an incorporated city, contact that municipality's building department.
What requires a building permit in Arapahoe County?
Under the 2021 IBC/IRC with Arapahoe County amendments, a permit is required for most construction activities:
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Get a free quote →Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Reroofing, windows, siding, and exterior changes
- Electrical service changes and most wiring work
- HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Decks, pools, fences, patio covers, carports
- Change of occupancy or use
Typically exempt
- Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet installation
- Countertop replacement and similar finish work
- Retaining walls ≤ 4 ft (not supporting surcharge)
- One-story detached sheds ≤ 200 sq ft (on grade, no utilities)
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without one exposes the owner to penalties, fines, and stop-work orders. Unpermitted work can also create issues when selling the property.
Who handles permitting in Arapahoe County?
The Building Division within Public Works & Development handles plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. Applications, documents, inspection requests, payments and contractor licences all go through the county’s online Customer Access portal.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Public Works & Development — 6924 S Lima St, Centennial, CO 80112 |
| Phone | (720) 874-6600 |
| Online portal | Customer Access |
| Code cycle | 2021 IBC/IRC with Arapahoe County amendments (Resolution 21-394, adopted 1 April 2022); 2023 National Electrical Code (adopted 9 July 2024) |
| Office hours | Lima Plaza office Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; call 720-874-6600 for an appointment before visiting |
| Contractor license | Local licensing + state trade licenses |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Apply at the Arapahoe County Portal. Register an account on the Arapahoe County Online Portal. Start a new application, upload required documents (site plan, construction drawings, energy code compliance), and pay the plan review fee at submittal. Print and post the permit card on-site before work begins.
Arapahoe County building permit cost
Arapahoe County permit fees are valuation-based per county fee schedule.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | Valuation-based formula |
| Commercial building permit | Valuation-based formula |
| Plan review fee | 65% of building permit fee |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Separate fees per trade |
| Technology / admin fee | Added to permit total |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + stop-work orders + fines |
Want a precise number for a specific Arapahoe County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Arapahoe County trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work each needs its own permit and appropriately licensed tradespeople.
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, EV chargers, and most wiring alterations — performed by a contractor licensed through the Colorado State Electrical Board.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, backflow, and sewer connections — performed by a plumbing contractor registered with the Colorado State Plumbing Board, using plumbers it licenses.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations, changeouts, ductwork changes, and venting modifications — performed by a qualified mechanical contractor per local requirements.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Fencing, pools, decks, sheds, and patio covers may require special permits depending on size and utility hookups. Demolition, sign, and right-of-way permits follow separate tracks.
Verify contractor licensing. Colorado does not issue a statewide general contractor license — general contractor licensing is handled at the local city or county level. However, trade licenses are state-regulated: electricians are licensed by the Colorado State Electrical Board and plumbers by the Colorado State Plumbing Board. Always verify your contractor meets both state trade requirements and local licensing. The Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (2025) sets fire-resistant construction standards in wildland-urban interface zones. Verify licensing with Colorado's license verification lookup.
Rather not deal with the Arapahoe County building department?
Get a free quote →How to get a building permit in Arapahoe County
Confirm permit requirement & zoning
Contact Public Works & Development at (720) 874-6600. Confirm zoning compliance and whether your project requires a permit.
Register on Arapahoe County Portal & apply
Create an account on the Arapahoe County Online Portal. Start a new application and select the correct permit type.
Upload documents & pay plan review fee
Upload site plan, construction drawings, energy compliance forms, contractor license, and proof of insurance. Pay plan review fee at submittal.
Plan review & corrections
Staff review against the 2021 IBC/IRC with Arapahoe County amendments; follow the county’s permit guides, checklists and file naming conventions to avoid delays. Resubmit revised plans if needed.
Pay remaining fees & receive permit
Pay the remaining permit fee upon approval. Print permit and post on-site before construction begins.
Schedule inspections through CO
Schedule inspections via the Arapahoe County Online Portal. Typical checkpoints: foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, final. Certificate of Occupancy required before occupancy.
Inspections in Arapahoe County
Schedule inspections through the Arapahoe County Online Portal. Standard checkpoints include foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final. Post the permit card on-site and maintain approved plans. A final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Official Arapahoe County permitting resources
- 🏛️ Arapahoe County — Building Division
- 💻 Arapahoe County Online Portal
- 📋 Arapahoe County Fee Schedule
- 🪪 CO State Electrical Board
Simplify Arapahoe County permitting with Alliance Permitting
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Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
Need an Arapahoe County building permit?
Get your Arapahoe County project permitted right. Alliance Permitting handles your applications through the Arapahoe County Online Portal — so you build, not wait.
More Colorado permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the Public Works & Development before filing. This is not legal advice.