Durango, Colorado Building Permit Guide

Inside Durango city limits, the City of Durango Building Division issues building, mechanical and, since July 1, 2026, plumbing and gas permits through the OpenGov portal; electrical permits stay with the State. New homes are valued at $177.63 per square foot of living space, the fee comes from the City’s valuation table, and use tax is 1.75% of the valuation. Allow at least 30 business days for review. Outside the city, La Plata County issues the permits.

What needs a building permit in Durango?

A building permit must be in hand before any work or ground disturbance starts inside city limits. The Building Division singles out several jobs that owners often assume are exempt, and 2026 added a new one.

Also check before you apply:

• Land Use and Development Code rules (zoning, height, setbacks, landscaping) apply even when no building permit is needed
• A State of Colorado demolition permit is required for any structural demolition, and proof of it comes before the City permit
• Any building permit application can trigger repair or installation of sidewalk, curb and gutter or street trees
• Three Springs and Twin Buttes projects need their design review committee’s approval
• Retaining walls over 30 in. high and excavation of more than 10 cubic yards on private property need Engineering Division permits
• In the East Third Avenue Historic District, exempt roofing and finish work still needs an Alterations Certificate

Commercial roofing applications must include roofing specifications and a plan view.

Who issues building permits in Durango?

The Building Division, in Community Development, is responsible for plan review, permitting and inspection of private and public construction in the city. Engineering and Planning review the same application for the Land Use and Development Code, utilities, driveway slope and stormwater.

The City’s permits stop at the city limits. In the unincorporated area around Durango, the La Plata County Building Department reviews plans, issues permits and inspects.

OpenGov filing and permit types

Community Development and Public Works take applications through OpenGov, so the first step is a portal account. Nothing is paid at submittal. The portal carries these permit records among others:

• Building permit: the main, or “blanket”, permit for new construction, additions and remodels.
• BP-Windows and Siding: a new permit type added April 1, 2026.
• Roofing and Solar: flat-fee permits for residential and commercial work.
• Plumbing and mechanical permits: separate from the main building permit. Stand-alone plumbing permits get their own final inspection.
• Demolition: issued by the City, in addition to the State permit, when a full structure comes down.

Contractors must hold a valid City of Durango business licence. A plumber with a State plumbing contractor’s licence and a City business licence may work in the city, and master plumbing contractors file a $5,000 bond with the City Clerk. Homeowners may do their own plumbing and electrical work; commercial property owners must use a licensed plumber and electrician.

Durango building permit fees (schedule effective September 1, 2026)

The City’s current Building Permit Fee Schedule took effect September 1, 2026. Everything starts from the total valuation, which is labor plus materials. For a new home the City multiplies living space by $177.63 per square foot and garage or utility space by $71.79 per square foot; those are valuation rates, not fees. Other projects use the valuation the applicant provides.

The schedule lists no separate plan review fee. Use tax is 1.75% of the total valuation, because the City assumes half of every project is labor and applies its 3.5% rate to the other half.

The City’s own example is a 1,300 sq ft house with a 300 sq ft attached garage. Valuation is $230,919 plus $21,537, or $252,456. The City shows a building permit fee of $2,094.22 and use tax of $4,417.98. (The table says to round up to the next $1,000, which would make the fee $2,098.) With a 3/4-inch water plant investment fee of $5,320, sewer plant investment fee of $2,500, $334 tap fee, $300 park fee, $945 school fee and $2,050 Major Street Impact Fee, the City charges come to $17,961.20. The grand total printed on the schedule, $19,278.20, also counts the $1,317 fire impact fee, which is paid directly to the fire district.

Construction or excavation started without the proper permits is charged triple the building permit fee.

All fees are due when the permit is issued, after the reviews are complete. Three Springs, Twin Buttes and SkyRidge projects are exempt from some of the park, school and street fees, and projects south of Bodo Industrial Park pay sewer fees to the South Durango Sanitation District, not the City.

Electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical permits

Plumbing and gas: on July 1, 2026 the City began issuing all plumbing and gas permits and inspecting that work itself. A plumbing permit the State issued before that date stays with the State plumbing inspector until the project is finished, and the State continues to inspect public schools and state buildings.

Electrical: all electrical permits and inspections remain with the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Apply to the State online, then upload the State’s electrical approvals to the City permit as you receive them; the City’s final needs the State inspector’s sign-off. The State Electrical Board has applied the 2026 National Electrical Code since August 1, 2026; the City’s code list still shows the 2023 edition and notes that the NEC is regulated by the State Electrical Board.

Mechanical: permitted by the City under the 2024 International Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes. Plumbing and mechanical permits are separate from the main building permit, and when there is no main permit their fee is calculated from valuation in the same way.

Fire: every multifamily and commercial project submits a fire code plan review package to the Durango Fire Protection District, which carries out the life safety review. The district’s receipt for the submittal and impact fee has to accompany the City application.

Application documents and review time

When plan review is required, the minimum submittal is the completed OpenGov application and digitally uploaded plans. The City’s Submittal Requirements page then sets out what the plan set must contain.

A draftsperson may prepare one- and two-family (IRC) projects and some very minor commercial ones, but engineered elements such as shear walls or moment frames need a professional engineer’s stamp. New projects must be designed to the 2024 I-Codes, the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code and the Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code; a design drawn to the 2018 codes may stay on them only if full construction drawings were filed with a Planning application before January 1, 2026.

The City asks applicants to allow a minimum of 30 business days for all submittals, and resubmittals extend that.

How to apply: 6 steps in Durango

Durango inspections and Certificate of Occupancy

Every inspection is requested in the OpenGov system, with 24 hours’ notice, and is scheduled for the following work day. The approved plans must be on site and the contractor, agent or owner must be present. Each failed inspection is charged $125, payable before the final inspection phase.

• Footing, stem wall and foundation: after excavation, with forms and steel in place, before concrete is ordered.
• Foundation and slab insulation: before backfill and before concrete is placed.
• Roof and shear nailing: after sheathing and before underlayment or wrap; required only for engineered diaphragm and shear wall designs.
• Plumbing: underground, rough (with rough framing and mechanical) and final.
• Framing and mechanical rough: after rough plumbing, heating and electrical are complete.
• Air seal, insulation and drywall: in that order, before taping and texturing.
• Final: building complete, systems tested and the State electrical inspector signed off.

A Certificate of Occupancy is required for new buildings, changes of occupancy classification and additions that add floor area. Before it is issued, the Utilities Department must approve the water meter and backflow device, Engineering must approve public improvements in the right-of-way, the driveway must be finished in asphalt or concrete, address numbers must be posted and energy compliance certificates provided. Commercial buildings also need special inspection documents and sprinkler or alarm approvals.

Local Durango details that matter

Wildfire code: Durango has enforced the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, with its own amendments in the municipal code, since April 1, 2026.

Frost and water lines: footings go at least 32 inches below undisturbed ground, and water lines at least 48 inches.

Wind and snow: basic wind speed is 104 mph for houses and Risk Category II buildings. Ground snow load comes from the code maps, or the designer may use the figure on the La Plata County GIS.

Sewer district: south of Bodo Industrial Park, including Three Springs, sewer service and fees belong to the South Durango Sanitation District.

Construction hours: work is allowed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Stormwater: where a permanent on-site stormwater feature is installed, a maintenance and ownership agreement must be signed before the Certificate of Occupancy.

Parking: where it applies, the parking in-lieu fee is $13,550 per space.

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 Durango permit resources

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

• Colorado DORA electrical permits
• Applying for a building permit in Durango
• City of Durango OpenGov permit portal
• City of Durango Building Division
• Durango building permit fees
• Building Permit Fee Schedule, effective September 1, 2026 (PDF)
• Durango building codes
• Durango building inspections
• Durango submittal requirements
• Durango Certificate of Occupancy
• Durango: Do I Need a Permit?
• City notice: Community Development and Engineering relocated to 150 Mercury Village Drive
• La Plata County Building Department (outside city limits)

Durango building permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Durango?

The City of Durango Building Division, for property inside city limits. La Plata County’s Building Department covers the unincorporated area outside.

How much is a building permit for a new house in Durango?

The City’s example of a 1,300 sq ft house with a 300 sq ft garage shows a $2,094.22 building permit fee and $4,417.98 use tax on a $252,456 valuation. With water, sewer, tap, park, school and street fees the City charges come to $17,961.20, and the fire district’s $1,317 impact fee brings the total to $19,278.20.

Do I need a permit to replace a roof, windows or siding?

Yes, with one exception: a roofing job that covers less than 25% of the roof needs no building permit or inspections. Larger roof replacements need a permit, and windows and siding have needed one since April 1, 2026. Each is a flat $125 for residential or $175 for commercial work, plus use tax.

Do I need a permit for a shed, deck or fence in Durango?

A one-story detached shed of 120 sq ft or less needs no building permit; a larger accessory building does. A deck needs a permit if it is covered or more than 30 in. above grade. A fence needs the City’s fence/wall permit, not a building permit.

Where is the Durango building permit office?

Community Development and Engineering moved on October 5, 2026 to the Axis Building, 150 Mercury Village Drive. The former office was at 215 E. 12th Street. The phone is still 970-375-4850 and applications are still filed in OpenGov.

Who issues plumbing permits in Durango?

The City, since July 1, 2026. Plumbing permits issued by the State before that date finish under the State inspector.

Who issues electrical permits?

The State of Colorado. The City needs the State electrical inspector’s sign-off before its final inspection.

How long does plan review take?

The City asks for a minimum of 30 business days, longer if a resubmittal is needed.

When do I pay?

Nothing is due at application. All fees are due when the permit is issued. Work started without a permit is charged triple the building permit fee.

What does a failed inspection cost?

$125 for each failed inspection, paid before the final inspection phase.

Simplify Durango 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 Durango permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.