Building permits in Denver — the capital of Colorado and the state's largest city, a consolidated city-county — are issued by Community Planning & Development, Building Safety Division. Denver enforces the 2025 Denver Building & Fire Code (2024 I-Codes).
This guide covers what requires a permit, the Denver eBuild Portal, fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your Denver project stays on track.
Mile High City — Colorado's capital and largest metro area. Denver is a consolidated city-county. The 2025 Denver Building & Fire Code (incorporating the 2024 I-Codes) became effective December 31, 2025. Colorado does not require a statewide general contractor license — Denver requires local contractor licensing. State boards license electricians (State Electrical Board) and plumbers (Examining Board of Plumbers).
What requires a building permit in Denver?
Under the 2025 Denver Building & Fire Code (2024 I-Codes), a permit is required for most construction activities:
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. In Denver, fines range from $150–$999 per violation. Unpermitted work can also create issues when selling the property.
Who handles permitting in Denver?
The Building Safety Division within Community Planning & Development handles plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. All permits are managed through the Denver eBuild Portal.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Community Planning & Development — 201 W Colfax Ave, Dept 205, Denver, CO 80202 |
| Phone | (720) 865-2680 |
| Online portal | Denver eBuild Portal |
| Code cycle | 2025 Denver Building & Fire Code (2024 I-Codes) |
| Review timeline | 10–15 business days residential; 20–30 commercial |
| Contractor license | Local licensing + state trade licenses |
Apply at the Denver eBuild. Register an account on the Denver eBuild 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.
Denver building permit cost
Denver permit fees are valuation-based per ADMIN 138 fee policy (Ordinance G-7465). Plan review is 80–100% of the building permit fee.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | Valuation-based tiered formula |
| Commercial building permit | Valuation-based formula |
| Plan review fee | 80–100% 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 Denver project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Denver 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.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, backflow, and sewer connections — performed by a contractor licensed through the Colorado Examining Board of Plumbers.
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 Examining Board of Plumbers. 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 at dpo.colorado.gov/EandP.
How to get a building permit in Denver
Confirm permit requirement & zoning
Contact Community Planning & Development at (720) 865-2680. Confirm zoning compliance and whether your project requires a permit.
Register on Denver eBuild & apply
Create an account on the Denver eBuild 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 reviews against 2025 Denver Building & Fire Code (2024 I-Codes). 10–15 business days residential; 20–30 commercial. 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 Denver eBuild Portal. Typical checkpoints: foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, final. Certificate of Occupancy required before occupancy.
Inspections in Denver
Schedule inspections through the Denver eBuild 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.
Official Denver permitting resources
- 🏛️ Denver Community Planning & Development
- 💻 Denver eBuild Portal
- 📋 Denver Fee Schedule (ADMIN 138)
- 🪪 CO State Electrical Board
Simplify Denver permitting with Alliance Permitting
Denver's Denver eBuild Portal, valuation-based fees, and Colorado's local licensing requirements reward applicants who prepare complete packages from the start. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Denver — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Community Planning & Development process, so your Denver submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Denver because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Community Planning & Development, the Denver eBuild Portal, and the 2025 Denver Building & Fire Code (2024 I-Codes).
- Complete oversight — track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Error-free submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
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 a Denver building permit?
Get your Denver project permitted right. Alliance Permitting handles your applications through the Denver eBuild 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 Community Planning & Development before filing. This is not legal advice.