Building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits for property in Fountain are issued by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) in Colorado Springs, which Fountain uses under the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code. The City of Fountain Planning Department at City Hall reviews zoning and must approve the plot plan for a house, at a fee of $110. PPRBD’s permit fees follow a valuation table that starts at $50, with flat fees such as $135 for an asphalt shingle re-roof.
What requires a building permit in Fountain?
The regional code decides what needs a building permit, and the City’s zoning code can still apply to work that is exempt from one.
Permit required
- New homes, room additions, sun rooms and garage conversions
- Basement finishes and new or modified framing
- Decks, porches, and patio or deck enclosures and covers
- Detached accessory structures over 200 sq ft
- Roofing, exterior siding and stucco
- Furnaces, boilers, air conditioning systems and water heaters
- Fireplaces and stoves, gas or solid fuel
- Electrical work
- Pools and hot tubs
- Lawn sprinkler backflow devices
- Retaining walls over 4 ft
- Work within a floodplain
Exempt under RBC105.2
- One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft, supported directly on grade
- Fences not more than 7 ft high
- Retaining walls not more than 4 ft high, unless supporting a surcharge
- Private sidewalks, driveways and platforms on grade
- Detached decks up to 200 sq ft and no more than 30 inches above grade that do not serve the required exit door
- Door and window replacement where the rough opening is unchanged
- Roofing or siding repairs of less than 100 sq ft
- Painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets and countertops
Unpermitted work that is reported or seen by an inspector gets a stop work order. If no permit follows, PPRBD files a Certificate of Alleged Non-compliance against the property with the County Clerk and Recorder, and the investigation fee is twice the permit fee.
Who issues building permits in Fountain?
Fountain adopted the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code, 2023 Edition, by Ordinance 1785, and PPRBD issues and manages the building permits. The same department serves Colorado Springs and unincorporated El Paso County, so land just outside the Fountain city limits is permitted by PPRBD too, with El Paso County doing the zoning review instead of the City.
| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| Pikes Peak Regional Building Department | 2880 International Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80910; main number 719-327-2880 |
| PPRBD permit counter | 719-327-2883, 7:30 am to 4:15 pm |
| PPRBD plan review | 719-327-2885, by appointment only |
| PPRBD contractor licensing | 719-327-2887 |
| City of Fountain Planning Department | City Hall, first floor, 116 S. Main Street, Fountain, CO 80817; 719-322-2000; Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm |
| Fountain Utilities (water and electric) | 101 N Main St; 719-322-2010 |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →The split is simple: PPRBD checks construction against the building codes, and the City’s zoning administrator checks land use, setbacks, height and lot coverage.
Fountain permit routes: PPRBD and City planning
PPRBD’s Start a Project tool on its website asks a short series of questions and tells you whether the job needs a permit or plan review and whether it can be bought online. Many projects can be completed online with a free web account.
- Contractors: a contractor must be licensed and registered with PPRBD, and cannot obtain a permit unless the licence is in good standing. PPRBD examines general building and mechanical contractors and registers Colorado licensed plumbing and electrical contractors.
- Homeowner permits: you may take out a permit only for work you do yourself on your primary residence, which you own and live in. Rentals and homes you do not live in are excluded, and it is illegal for a homeowner to pull a permit for a hired contractor.
- City plot plan: every building permit application for a detached single-family or two-family home is accompanied by 2 copies of a scaled plot plan showing the lot, the structures and their height, setbacks and building coverage, for the City’s zoning administrator.
- City site development plan: other uses go through the site development plan process, filed in the City’s IDT Plans portal along with plats, variances, conditional uses and rezonings.
- Signs: sign permits come from the City’s zoning administrator, and a building or electrical permit may be needed as well.
Fountain building permit fees
Fountain’s City Council adopted Appendix B of the regional code as its building permit fee schedule, so the fees are the same as elsewhere in PPRBD’s area. PPRBD applies ICC valuation data effective June 30, 2025.
| Valuation | Permit fee |
|---|---|
| $1 to $500 | $50 |
| $501 to $2,000 | $50 for the first $500 plus $2 for each additional $100 or fraction |
| $2,001 to $25,000 | $80 for the first $2,000 plus $8 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $25,001 to $50,000 | $264 for the first $25,000 plus $8 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 to $100,000 | $464 for the first $50,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001 to $500,000 | $714 for the first $100,000 plus $4 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $500,001 to $1,000,000 | $2,314 for the first $500,000 plus $3.50 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $1,000,000 and more | $4,064 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →How a house is valued. For a new single-family dwelling the valuation is 0.27 of $169.09 per sq ft, and an attached garage built with it is 0.14 of $169.09. These are valuation rates, not fees. For new one- and two-family homes the Table A fee includes the plumbing, electrical, gas and heating inspections along with the building ones.
For example, a new 2,000 sq ft house with no garage is valued at $91,308.60. The permit fee is $464 plus 42 × $5, which is $674, and the plan examination fee of 28% adds $188.72.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle re-roof, or stucco, on an existing home | $135 |
| Wood or composite siding on an existing home | $115 |
| Basement finish in an existing home | $300 |
| Water heater replacement | $40; $75 for a water heater, furnace or boiler replacement including the vent |
| Air conditioning installation (coil and condenser), or furnace, wall or space heater or boiler replacement | $50 |
| A/C condensing unit replacement, or lawn sprinkler backflow device | $30 |
| Trade permit attached to a residential alteration or detached accessory structure | $50 per trade |
| Trade permit attached to a commercial building permit | $100 per trade |
| Plan examination | 28% of the building permit fee |
| Re-inspection | $50 first incident, $100 second, $200 third plus a 2 work day delay |
| Inspection outside normal business hours | $100 per hour, 2 hour minimum |
| Temporary Certificate of Occupancy | $50 |
City of Fountain fees. The City’s Development Review Fee Schedule charges $110 for a single-family, two-family or mobile home plot plan, $110 for a revision or an addition, and a $50 residential construction valuation study surcharge on single- and two-family homes. A tenant finish or interior remodel review is $210, and a site development plan is $1,800 under 3,000 sq ft or $2,800 above. The Planning Department also lists use tax, water and sewer taps, drainage, bridge, electric service and a services expansion fee among the other charges a project can meet.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits in Fountain
PPRBD issues and inspects electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical permits in Fountain, so the State does not issue electrical or plumbing permits here. Plumbing, mechanical and gas work follows the 2021 International Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes. For electrical work the regional code names no fixed edition: Section RBC307.2 takes up each National Electrical Code edition within 12 months of the State Electrical Board adopting it. The State moved to the 2026 NEC on August 1, 2026, and PPRBD’s code page still lists the 2023 NEC.
| Valuation | Permit fee |
|---|---|
| $100 to $500 | $50 |
| $501 to $2,000 | $50 for the first $500 plus $5.50 for each additional $100 or fraction |
| $2,001 to $5,000 | $132.50 for the first $2,000 plus $1.45 for each additional $100 or fraction |
| $5,001 to $50,000 | $176 for the first $5,000 plus $6.75 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 and more | $480 for the first $50,000 plus $4.50 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
On an addition, garage conversion or basement finish, the electrical, mechanical and plumbing fees are based on the job cost in Table C. Fountain Utilities, the City’s own utility, provides water and electric service in and around Fountain and publishes its clearance and easement rules separately from the building permit.
Application documents and plan review
Plans can be submitted to PPRBD electronically by licensed contractors, homeowners and design professionals. Files are uploaded as PDFs under an electronic plan number, and review does not begin until the plan is formally submitted. In most cases you still collect the permit from PPRBD, and where the project type requires it a paper copy of the approved plan stays on the job site for inspectors.
For the City of Fountain
- 2 copies of a scaled plot plan for a single- or two-family home
- Actual shape and dimensions of the lot
- Location, size, shape and use of every structure
- Height, setbacks and building coverage
- Plot plan fee of $110 and the $50 valuation study surcharge
- A site development plan instead, for commercial, multi-family and other uses
For PPRBD
- Web account and the correct electronic plan type
- Construction drawings in PDF format
- Site address, which PPRBD confirms in its enumeration review on new construction
- Licensed, registered contractor, or proof that the owner qualifies for a homeowner permit
- Energy code documentation under the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code
- Floodplain review where the lot is in a mapped floodplain
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →A City-approved plot plan expires 6 months after approval unless the building permit has been issued, and it can be amended only with the zoning administrator’s written approval, never through the building permit itself. If the zoning administrator asks for one, the applicant attends a pre-application meeting with City planning staff.
How to apply: 6 steps in Fountain
Use PPRBD’s online questionnaire to see whether the work needs a permit or plan review.
Take the plot plan, or the site development plan application, to the Fountain Planning Department at City Hall.
Contractors use their licensed account; homeowners sign up for a free one.
Start a new electronic plan, upload the PDFs and press submit, then answer any review comments.
Pay the permit and plan examination fees; some permit types are issued online and others at the PPRBD counter.
Request each inspection online or at 719-327-2880 with the permit number.
Fountain inspections
PPRBD inspectors cover Fountain. Request an inspection through your web account or by calling 719-327-2880, and have the permit number ready. Only the party who bought the permit can schedule, so a homeowner cannot book inspections on a contractor’s permit.
- Inspections can be booked in advance, and 8:30 am on a weekday is the cutoff for a same-day inspection.
- Routes are set geographically, not by the order of requests. An estimated arrival time is posted after 9:00 am under the permit number.
- You can ask for an automated call about 60 minutes before the inspector arrives.
- Inspectors keep office hours from 7:30 to 8:30 am at 719-327-2880, option 2.
- Results are usually entered the same day and can be looked up by permit number or address.
Re-inspection fees apply when work is not ready, corrections were not made, the permit card is not posted, the approved plans are missing or access is not provided, and no further inspection is made until they are paid. For a new building other than a detached single-family house, the City’s zoning code also requires a certificate of occupancy confirming that the use conforms to zoning before the building is occupied.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Local Fountain details that matter
Regional code: since June 30, 2026 the code in force is the 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code, 2nd Printing, which adopts the 2021 International Building, Residential, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Plumbing, Energy Conservation, Existing Building and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes, with the National Electrical Code following the State’s edition. Fountain’s City Council passed its adopting ordinance on April 11, 2023.
Public improvements on infill lots: when it reviews a plot plan, the City can require street paving, curb and gutter, a driveway approach, sidewalk or easements at the owner’s cost, or accept security of 150% of the estimated cost to defer them.
City fines: under Fountain’s version of the code, the Building Official may impose an administrative fine of up to $1,000 for construction work done in violation of the building code.
Paying the City online: the IDT Plans portal takes eCheck for a $1 fee or credit card for 2.25% plus $0.75.
Before digging: Fountain Utilities reminds owners to request a line locate through 811.
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 Fountain permitting resources
- Pikes Peak Regional Building Department
- PPRBD Start a Project
- PPRBD permit fee schedule (Appendix B)
- PPRBD work exempt from permits
- PPRBD homeowner permit information
- PPRBD hours, locations and phone numbers
- PPRBD adopted codes
- 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code, 2nd Printing (PDF)
- PPRBD electronic plan review
- City of Fountain Planning Department
- City of Fountain Development Review Fee Schedule
- City of Fountain online application submittal (IDT Plans)
- Fountain Municipal Code, Title 18, Building Codes
- Fountain Zoning Ordinance
- Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Fountain building permit FAQs
Who issues building permits in Fountain, Colorado?
The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, 2880 International Circle, Colorado Springs, phone 719-327-2880. The City of Fountain Planning Department handles zoning and plot plans at 719-322-2000.
How much is a building permit in Fountain?
Fees follow PPRBD’s valuation table from $50. A new 2,000 sq ft house with no garage pays a $674 permit fee plus $188.72 for plan examination, and the City charges $110 for the plot plan review. An asphalt shingle re-roof is a flat $135.
Do I need a permit for a fence or shed in Fountain?
The regional building code exempts fences up to 7 ft and one-story detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft on grade. City zoning rules on placement still apply, so ask the Planning Department about setbacks.
Can a homeowner pull a permit in Fountain?
Yes, for work you do yourself on the primary residence you own and live in. You cannot pull a homeowner permit for a contractor.
How do I schedule an inspection in Fountain?
Online through your PPRBD web account or by phone at 719-327-2880. Requests made by 8:30 am on a weekday can be inspected the same day.
Does Fountain have its own building department?
No. Fountain adopted the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code and relies on the regional department for permits, plan review and inspections.
How long is a Fountain plot plan approval good for?
6 months from the zoning administrator’s approval, unless the building permit has been issued by then.
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More Colorado permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Fountain permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.