Berthoud, Colorado Building Permit Guide

Inside Berthoud town limits, the Town of Berthoud Building Department issues building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits through the CommunityCore portal, and SAFEbuilt inspects the work. The permit fee comes from the 2024 IRC Appendix AB valuation table, plan review adds 65% of that fee, and use tax of 4% (plus 1.05% for Larimer County) is charged on half the project valuation. Land outside the town limits is permitted by Larimer County or Weld County.

What needs a building permit in Berthoud?

The Building Department publishes a list of projects that need a permit, and says the list may not be complete. Residential permits cover new homes, remodels, decks, basement finishes and major repairs such as a roof replacement. All commercial work must be done by a licensed contractor.

All new water service lines with meters require a building permit, and every new-construction project also needs a Town Stormwater Permit.

Who issues permits in Berthoud?

The Town’s Building Department handles permits and plan review for commercial, industrial and residential projects inside town limits. SAFEbuilt completes the building inspections for the Town. The Water Utilities department installs meters and carries out the final water meter, sewer cleanout and backflow checks.

Berthoud sits mostly in Larimer County, with a small part in Weld County. The Town permits only what is inside its limits. In the unincorporated areas around it, the Larimer County Building Division or Weld County Planning and Development Services issues the permits.

CommunityCore, contractor licences and permit types

Contractors and residents register for a Berthoud account in CommunityCore, then apply for permits, upload documents and check permit status there. A resident who is not a building contractor signs in as a Community Member.

Contractor licensing comes first. A contractor must hold a Town of Berthoud licence before applying for a building permit. The licence costs $100 a year, and renewals cost the same; electrical and plumbing contractors pay nothing because they are licensed by the State, but must submit their State licence. Applicants show an ICC certificate for the licence class (from a 2018 or newer code test), sign the Town’s Acknowledgement Memorandum and file liability insurance naming the Town as certificate holder.

• General Contractor A and B: new commercial buildings and additions (A); commercial tenant finishes and remodels (B).
• Residential General Contractor C: new one- and two-family homes and townhouses, additions, basement finishes and accessory buildings.
• General Contractor D: decks, sheds, carports, pergolas, small interior remodels, demolition and excavation.
• Trade Contractor: roofing, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and solar.
• Sign Contractor: commercial signs. Sign permits take 5 to 10 business days to review.

Over-the-counter “one-stop” permits cover single-item jobs such as a furnace replacement, a water heater or a residential re-roof. Stormwater permits and permanent sign permits are also filed in CommunityCore; temporary sign and banner applications go to building@berthoud.org.

Berthoud building permit fees (2026)

The Town’s 2026 Schedule of Rates, Charges and Fees took effect January 1, 2026. It sets the building permit fee at the 2024 IRC Appendix AB table, applied to the project valuation, and adds a plan review fee of 65% of the permit fee. A $50 administration fee and a $50 technology fee are added to each building permit.

For a new home the Town’s estimate worksheet values above-grade floor area at $160 per sq ft, a finished basement at $100, an unfinished basement at $25, a garage at $55, a deck at $35 and a covered deck at $65. These are valuation figures, not fees. A 2,000 sq ft house with no basement or garage is valued at $320,000, so the permit fee is $1,027 plus 220 × $7 = $2,567, and plan review is 65% of that, $1,668.55.

Use tax: the permit also collects Town use tax of 4% and, for Larimer County addresses, county use tax of 1.05%, normally on half the project valuation. On the $320,000 house that is 5.05% of $160,000, or $8,080. Addresses on the Weld County side pay no county use tax. Show the permit to your supplier so you do not pay sales tax on the materials again.

New homes pay more than the permit: the worksheet lists a $6,900 water plant investment fee and a $5,995 wastewater plant investment fee for a 3/4-inch tap, plus raw water, park, road, storm drainage and public facilities fees. Water dedication and the Berthoud Fire Protection District and Thompson School District fees are separate.

Since May 1, 2026 the plan review, administration and technology fees are collected before plan review starts and are not refundable once review has begun. The Town calls this a change in timing, not an extra fee. You can ask for a written estimate with the Town’s estimate request form; allow at least 10 business days, and the estimate is valid for 30 days. Card payments in the portal carry a 3% convenience fee and a $1 service charge.

Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits in Berthoud

Berthoud runs its own trade permitting, so these permits come from the Town and not from the State. SAFEbuilt inspects rough and final electrical, mechanical and plumbing work along with framing. Electricians and plumbers must hold a valid State licence.

Electrical plan review is 50% of the electrical permit fee for residential work and 65% for non-residential work. Furnace, air conditioner, boiler, water heater and gas piping replacements are $150 one-stop permits. Plumbing remodels need a building permit.

Fire impact fees are set by the Berthoud Fire Protection District, and a fire inspection is on the Town’s commercial Certificate of Occupancy list.

Application documents for a new home

The Town’s New Single Family Dwelling Submittal Requirements list what must be uploaded. One digital set of scaled plans is submitted, and any later revision to approved plans has to be resubmitted for approval.

Be ready to show the water dedication for the lot, or to pay that fee before the permit is issued. Some projects need Planning Department review before a building permit, so the Town asks applicants to call 970-532-2643 first to find out.

How to apply: 6 steps in Berthoud

Inspections and Certificate of Occupancy

SAFEbuilt inspections are requested at 970-305-3161 ext. 1, through SAFEbuilt’s online request form or in the permit portal. A request made before 4:00 p.m. is carried out the following business day. SAFEbuilt offers virtual re-roof inspections, and the Town publishes a Remote Video Inspection customer guide.

For a new house, SAFEbuilt inspects electrical meters, water and sewer service, rough framing, electrical, mechanical and plumbing, the gas test, exterior sheathing, insulation and the finals, and checks dark sky compliance and the posted energy certificate. Town staff inspect the water meter install, sewer cleanout, sidewalk and tree lawn and make monthly stormwater inspections.

Before a Certificate of Occupancy for a new home, the Town needs these documents on the permit:

• Setback Certification Form and an Improvement Location Certificate from a licensed surveyor
• Footing, foundation and open hole letters from the engineer of record
• Perimeter drain and dampproofing letters, from the engineer or the inspector
• Grading certificate from the engineer of record
• Water and Wastewater Service Installation Report
• Final water meter inspection and backflow prevention check
• All final building inspections approved

A permit stays active for 180 days from its most recent activity, such as a review, payment or completed inspection. The first 180-day extension is free if you ask before the permit expires, and each later extension costs $100.

Local Berthoud details that matter

Stormwater (MS4) permit: all new construction needs a Town Stormwater Permit as well as the building permit. One permit can cover a builder’s lots in a single subdivision. The fees are charged through the building permit: a $45 administration fee and $105 per month for inspections on sites under 1 acre.

Water meters: Town Water Utilities installs 3/4-inch, 1-inch and 2-inch meters. The applicant, builder or owner requests the install in CommunityCore.

Roofing rules: the Town’s 2026 Roofing Regulations do not allow 3-tab shingles, require ice barrier and drip edge, and require roofing contractors to carry $100,000 of liability insurance. The permit must be posted on the house before work starts.

Design criteria: ground snow load is 35 psf and the frost line is 30 inches. Berthoud is in a special wind region, so design wind speed comes from the Colorado Front Range Gust Map or the Larimer County wind speed map.

Dark sky lighting: exterior fixtures on new homes must be dark sky compliant and are checked in the field.

Refunds: the Town may refund up to 80% of a permit fee when no work has been done, on a written request made within 180 days of payment.

Colorado building code

Colorado has no statewide building code for private buildings: each city and county decides whether a code applies and which edition, while the state sets electrical and plumbing rules, a minimum energy code on any update, and a wildfire code for the mapped wildland-urban interface. Building codes in Colorado

Official Berthoud permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Colorado state professional and trade licensing
• Town of Berthoud: Get a Permit
• Town of Berthoud Building Department
• Town of Berthoud 2026 Schedule of Rates, Charges and Fees (PDF)
• Plan Review Fee Collection Policy, effective May 1, 2026 (PDF)
• Residential Building Permit Fee Estimate Worksheet (PDF)
• New Single Family Dwelling Submittal Requirements (PDF)
• Projects Requiring a Building Permit (PDF)
• Berthoud 2024 I-Code amendments (PDF)
• Building Permit Extension Policy (PDF)
• Use Tax Collected on Building Permits (PDF)

Berthoud building permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Berthoud?

The Town of Berthoud Building Department, for property inside town limits. SAFEbuilt does the inspections. Outside the limits, Larimer County or Weld County is the permitting authority.

How much is a building permit in Berthoud?

The permit fee follows the 2024 IRC Appendix AB valuation table, plan review adds 65%, and $50 administration and $50 technology fees apply. A home valued at $320,000 pays a $2,567 permit fee and $1,668.55 for plan review, before use tax and tap fees.

Do I need a permit for a shed or fence in Berthoud?

A shed needs a permit when it is over 120 sq ft or its roof is more than 10 feet above grade. A fence needs one when it is over 6 feet high, and pool barriers always do.

Do I need a permit to replace a roof?

Yes. A residential re-roof is a $150 one-stop permit plus $25 administration and $25 technology fees. Repairing less than one square of shingles is exempt.

Does the Town or the State issue electrical permits?

The Town. Its 2026 schedule charges $100 to $200 for floor areas up to 2,000 sq ft and $10 for each additional 100 sq ft.

Does my contractor need a Berthoud licence?

Yes, before applying for a permit. The licence is $100 a year, with no charge for State-licensed electrical and plumbing contractors.

How do I schedule an inspection?

Call SAFEbuilt at 970-305-3161 ext. 1 or request it online before 4:00 p.m. for the following business day.

How long does a Berthoud permit stay active?

For 180 days from the most recent activity on the permit. One 180-day extension is free and later ones cost $100 each.

Simplify Berthoud permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Colorado. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Berthoud permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.