Inside the Town of Superior, building permits are issued by the Town’s Building division, which SAFEbuilt operates, and applications are accepted only through the CommunityCore portal. The 2026 fee schedule charges $774 for a $50,000 project, plus a 65% plan review fee and Town and county use tax on half the valuation. The Town aims to review residential plans in 10 business days and commercial plans in 15.
What needs a permit in Superior?
The Town’s Permit Guidance page lists the work that needs a permit, and its amendments to the 2024 building codes set the exemptions.
Permit required
- Additions, structural repairs and every kind of remodel, including a basement finish
- Roof replacements, and roof repairs of 100 sq ft or more
- Replacement windows
- Decks
- Fences (a zoning compliance permit)
- Retaining walls over 4 ft tall
- Water heaters, with an expansion tank where the system has a backflow device
- Air conditioners, furnaces and heat pumps
- Insulation installation
- Detached accessory structures larger than 120 sq ft
Exempt under the Town code
- One-story detached sheds, playhouses and similar structures up to 120 sq ft with a roof no more than 10 ft above grade
- Shingle repair or replacement of no more than 100 sq ft per building
- Fences up to 6 ft, as far as the building code is concerned (the zoning permit still applies)
Superior cut the residential code’s small-deck exemption from 200 sq ft to 120 sq ft. Signs take a sign permit, and temporary banners have their own permit.
Who issues building permits in Superior?
The Planning and Building Department works under the Town Manager. Its Building division is run by SAFEbuilt, which issues permits, reviews residential and commercial plans and carries out inspections. Planning reviews building permits for zoning, and Public Works and the fire district must also approve before a permit is released.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | 100 Superior Plaza Way, Suite 200, Superior, CO 80027 |
| Building phone | 303-381-2028 |
| Permit fee questions | 720-738-7326 |
| Planning phone | 303-499-3675, extension 131 |
| Permitting and inspections email | superiorinspections@safebuilt.com |
| Applications | CommunityCore portal only |
| Fire plan review | Mountain View Fire Protection District |
The Town’s permits cover property inside the town limits. Unincorporated land around Superior falls under Boulder County’s Building Safety and Inspection Services.
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Get a free quote →Filing in CommunityCore and contractor licensing
Paper applications are not accepted. Licensed contractors log in to CommunityCore and apply. A resident without an account clicks Apply for a Permit, answers No when asked about an account and enters an email address; the Building Department then sends a follow-up email to finish the registration.
Superior began licensing contractors on October 13, 2025, and permits opened before that date are not affected. The licence is applied for in CommunityCore, with these uploads:
- Class A General, Class B Building or Class C Residential Contractor: active ICC certification and a certificate of insurance.
- Electrical or Plumbing Contractor: active state and master licences and a certificate of insurance.
- Mechanical Contractor: active ICC certification, proof of a licence in 2 surrounding jurisdictions and a certificate of insurance.
- Specialty licence (concrete, decks, demolition, doors and windows, fencing, foundations, low-voltage electrical, pools and hot tubs, roofs, siding, solar, sprinklers): a Certificate of Good Standing from the Colorado Secretary of State and a certificate of insurance.
Once the application is approved the Town emails an invoice, which is paid at Town Hall, 124 E Coal Creek Drive, or by card on 303-499-3675, extension 100. Every licence expires on December 31.
Superior building permit fees
Fees come from the Town of Superior Fee Schedule for 2026 (final, dated March 9, 2026). The building permit fee is read from a valuation table, where valuation means labor and materials.
| Total valuation | Building permit fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $500 | $28.50 |
| $500.01 to $2,000 | $28.50 for the first $500, plus $3.50 per additional $100 or fraction |
| $2,000.01 to $25,000 | $81 for the first $2,000, plus $16 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $25,000.01 to $50,000 | $449 for the first $25,000, plus $13 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,000.01 to $100,000 | $774 for the first $50,000, plus $11 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,000.01 to $500,000 | $1,324 for the first $100,000, plus $9 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $500,000.01 to $1,000,000 | $4,924 for the first $500,000, plus $7 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $1,000,000 | $8,424 for the first $1,000,000, plus $5 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plan review | 65% of the building permit fee, on top of it, due when plans are submitted |
| Town use tax | 3.775% of half the project valuation |
| Boulder County use tax | 1.335% of half the project valuation |
| Re-inspection | $100 per hour |
| Inspection outside business hours | $100 per hour |
| Extra plan review after plan changes | $100 per hour, half-hour minimum |
| Fence zoning compliance review | $50 |
| Sign permit application | $300 |
| Right-of-way permit | $75 base fee plus unit charges |
For a $50,000 remodel the permit fee is $774 and plan review is $503.10. Use tax is charged on $25,000: $943.75 to the Town and $333.75 to the county. The total is $2,554.60 before any trade permit, utility tap or system development fees.
The contractor licence fee is $75 in the adopted schedule, and that is the controlling figure: Section 6-11-30 of the Municipal Code makes the fee the one Town Council sets by resolution. The Town’s Contractor Licensing page still quotes $200 for a first licence or an expired one and $100 for a renewal before expiry, so query a licence invoice above $75 on 720-738-7326, the Town’s permit fee line. Work started without a permit can be charged an investigation fee of up to the permit fee, and up to 80% of a permit fee can be refunded if no work has been done and the request is made within 180 days of payment.
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits in Superior
Superior runs its own trade permitting through the SAFEbuilt-operated Building division, so electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits are Town permits filed in CommunityCore. Section 18-4-10 of the Municipal Code adopts the same version of the National Electrical Code as the State of Colorado, and the State’s version has been the 2026 NEC since August 1, 2026; the Town’s building codes page still lists the 2023 edition.
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home up to 1,000 sq ft of living area | $46 |
| Home of 1,001 to 1,500 sq ft | $51.75 |
| Home of 1,501 to 2,000 sq ft | $63.25 |
| Each 100 sq ft over 2,000 | $3.45 |
| Other work valued up to $300 | $46 |
| Other work, $301 to $2,000 | $51.75 |
| Other work, $2,001 to $50,000 | $19.55 per $1,000 or fraction |
| Other work, $50,001 to $500,000 | $18.40 per $1,000 or fraction, plus $57.50 |
| Other work over $500,000 | $17.25 per $1,000 or fraction, plus $632.50 |
| Electrical re-inspection | $51.75 |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →The square-footage fee covers building, remodeling or adding to a house, duplex, condominium or townhouse. Service changes, temporary construction meters and all other jobs use the valuation rows.
The 2026 schedule also carries a Methane Gas Appliance and Equipment Fee of $50 for work under $500, $150 up to $2,000, $250 up to $5,000 and $500 above that. The schedule says the money supports rebates for owners switching from gas to electric appliances.
Fire review: Mountain View Fire Protection District reviews commercial building plans, with separate submittals for the fire alarm, sprinkler and any kitchen hood system, and requires a plan review and final inspection for commercial tenant improvements. Each residential sprinkler submittal needs the district’s plan review application. Its timelines run separately from the Town’s.
Superior submittal checklists and review times
Plans are uploaded to CommunityCore as one combined set. The Town publishes a residential checklist and a commercial and multi-family checklist.
New home
- Electronic application with owner, contractor and subcontractor details, square footage, heat and water source and valuation
- Soils report by a Colorado licensed soils engineer
- Foundation plans stamped by a Colorado engineer and structural plans stamped by a structural engineer
- Floor plans, elevations with exterior materials, and building height
- Electrical and mechanical layouts, and Manual J/D/S calculations
- Energy code compliance report and Green Building Program points
- Stamped plot plan with setbacks, easements, lot coverage, utilities and grading: 5% fall within the first 10 ft of the foundation
Commercial and multi-family
- Electronic application with class of work, use, valuation and site data
- PDF plans stamped by a Colorado licensed engineer
- Site and civil plans with drainage, erosion control, utilities, parking and construction staging
- Cover sheet stamped by a Colorado licensed architect, with a code summary
- Project manual, specifications and 2 soils reports
- Architectural sheets with fire-resistive assembly listings and accessibility details
- Structural sheets with design loads
Review targets are 10 business days for residential plans, 15 for commercial plans and 5 for a resubmittal. The clock starts when the application is complete and the plan review fee is paid, and it restarts if any reviewer asks for a resubmittal. The Town describes these periods as targets that complex projects or staffing can stretch.
The permit is emailed to the applicant or contractor once the Building Department, Planning and Zoning, Public Works and fire prevention have all approved. Paying the fees does not by itself authorize work.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →How to apply: 6 steps in Superior
The Town posts separate regulation summaries for Rock Creek Ranch, Sagamore, Original Town, Downtown Superior and other neighborhoods.
Contractors apply for a Town licence in CommunityCore and pay the invoice before pulling permits.
Pick the permit type, complete the form and upload one combined plan set with the checklist items.
No review starts until the 65% plan review fee is paid.
Building, Planning and Zoning, Public Works and Mountain View Fire each review; answer comments through the portal.
Pay the permit fee and use tax, wait for the emailed permit, then request inspections in CommunityCore before 4 p.m. for the next business day.
Superior inspections and Certificate of Occupancy
Inspections are requested in CommunityCore. A request made before 4 p.m. on a business day is scheduled for the following business day. Re-roofs need a mid-roof inspection as well as a final, and the roofer must supply ladders for both. An approved fence permit needs no inspection.
Before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, the documents named in the permit are uploaded to CommunityCore, and the Town asks for 48 to 72 hours to review them. Depending on the permit they include:
- A grading certificate, an improvement location certificate with setbacks, and a height certification, each by a Colorado professional land surveyor.
- The Public Works final inspection checklist.
- The Green Points checklist and recycling manifests showing 50% of construction materials were recycled.
- Third-party inspection reports for footers, foundation, void, perimeter drain and waterproofing.
- Energy reports such as blower door, duct leakage and HERS results.
- Mountain View Fire’s final inspection where sprinklers were installed.
A permit expires if work does not start within 180 days or stops for 180 days. The Building Official may grant one extension free of charge on written request; each further extension costs 50% of the original permit fee.
Local Superior rules that affect a project
High wind and roofing: Superior designs for a 154 mph ultimate wind speed. Replacement shingles must be rated ASTM D7158 Class G or H or ASTM D3161 Class F, every roof must be Class A, ice and water shield is required at all eaves, and drip edge at eaves and rakes. A single overlay or a change to tile needs an engineer’s report on the roof structure.
Design values: the frost line is 36 in., the roof live load is 30 psf and decks are designed for a 40 psf live load.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Marshall Fire rebuilds: an owner whose home was destroyed in the fire and who still owns the lot can file the Marshall Fire Rebuild Affidavit to use exceptions to the energy code and the sprinkler rule, and Sagamore owners can also opt out of the wildland-urban interface code. Since March 28, 2022 the Town has rebated plan check and permit fees and waived Town use tax for those rebuilds. Fire-related insulation replacement is a no-fee permit.
Green Building Program: new homes, complete restorations and additions or renovations of 500 sq ft or more must earn green points before the permit is issued: 20 points for a new house of 1,501 to 3,000 sq ft, 40 for 3,001 to 5,000 sq ft and 60 above that. Half of the construction waste has to be recycled.
Fences: a residential fence needs a Zoning Compliance for Fences, with a plot plan showing its location, material and height. The limit is 6 ft outside the industrial districts and 4 ft inside the front setback, and nothing may stand within 12 in. of a public sidewalk.
2024 codes: the Town adopted the 2024 International Codes in April 2026, with an energy code based on the 2024 IECC. Some older Town handouts still mention the 2021 IECC.
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 Superior permitting resources
- Superior Planning & Building Department
- Superior Permit Guidance
- Superior CommunityCore permit portal
- Town of Superior Fee Schedule, 2026
- Superior contractor licensing
- Superior building codes and zoning regulations
- Superior Residential Building Permit Application Checklist
- Superior Commercial and Multi-Family Plans Submittal Checklist
- Superior supplemental roof information
- Superior fence permit requirements
- Superior Certificate of Occupancy information
- Superior Green Building Program
- Superior Municipal Code, Chapter 18 (Municode)
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Superior building permit FAQs
How much is a building permit in Superior, Colorado?
It depends on valuation. A $50,000 project pays a $774 permit fee and $503.10 for plan review, plus use tax of $943.75 to the Town and $333.75 to Boulder County, about $2,554.60 in all.
How long does plan review take in Superior?
The Town’s targets are 10 business days for residential plans, 15 for commercial and 5 for a resubmittal, counted from a complete application with the plan review fee paid.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof?
Yes. Only repairs under 100 sq ft are exempt. The new roof must be Class A, meet the high-wind shingle rating and pass a mid-roof and a final inspection.
Do I need a permit for a fence or a shed?
A residential fence needs a Zoning Compliance for Fences with a $50 review fee and no inspection. A one-story shed needs a building permit only if it is over 120 sq ft or its roof is more than 10 ft above grade.
Who does inspections in Superior?
SAFEbuilt, which operates the Town’s Building division. Requests made in CommunityCore before 4 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day.
Do contractors need a Town licence?
Yes, since October 13, 2025. The licence is applied for in CommunityCore and expires every December 31.
Does Superior issue electrical permits?
Yes. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits are Town permits, and the Town’s fee schedule sets the electrical fees.
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More Colorado permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Superior permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.