Bennett building permits
VerifiedDepartment contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Bennett, Colorado.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- Address
- 207 Muegge Way, Bennett, CO 80102
- Phone
- 303-644-3249
- Office hours
- Main Town line 303-644-3249 (Building Department extension 1032 per the Building Permits page). Chief Building Official (Steve Jones, Charles Abbott Associates — Bennett's building department is staffed via a CAA contract) holds Drop-In Hours at Town Hall Tuesdays 12:30-1:30 p.m.; email bennettbuilding@bennett.co.us or stevejones@caa.inc to schedule a plan/project review meeting. Additional CAA inspection staff: Brad Jones 720-960-0576 (bradjones@caa.inc), Daniel Willman 720-361-9732 (danielwillman@caa.inc). Inspection requests must be received by 4:00 p.m. the business day before for next-day scheduling; inspections occur Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., no specific-window guarantee.
- Website
- Official site
- Permit portal
- Apply online at Bennett's portal
Inspection guide
See how inspections work in Bennett — sequence, scheduling & re-inspection fees.
Codes adopted
Colorado has no statewide-mandated building code edition. Under the Colorado Constitution's home-rule provisions (art. XX, home rule for municipalities since 1902; home rule for counties since 1970), building codes and zoning are an enumerated home-rule charter power, so cities and counties adopt and amend their own construction codes independently — predominantly the I-Codes, with editions and local amendments varying by jurisdiction. The one statewide floor is for energy: HB22-1362 (2022) created the Energy Code Board (jointly appointed by the Colorado Energy Office and the Department of Local Affairs) and requires that, on or after July 1, 2023 and before July 1, 2026, any municipality or county that adopts or updates a building code must adopt and enforce an energy code achieving performance equivalent to or better than the 2021 IECC together with the board's Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code (which includes electric-ready, EV-ready, and solar-ready provisions); from July 1, 2026 onward the floor shifts to the board's Model Low Energy and Carbon Code or an equivalent. Electrical and plumbing permitting defaults to the Colorado State Electrical Board and State Plumbing Board (within DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations) — the state issues permits and inspects statewide except in counties/jurisdictions that operate their own certified Electrical or Plumbing Inspection Program, in which case the local program has authority instead. Always confirm the currently adopted code edition, local amendments, and inspection authority (state board vs. local program) with the specific jurisdiction before submitting plans.
- 2024 International Building Code (IBC) — effective July 1, 2026 per Town of Bennett 'Building Code Update 2026' notice
- 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) — effective July 1, 2026
- 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — effective July 1, 2026
- 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — effective July 1, 2026
- 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — effective July 1, 2026
- 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — effective July 1, 2026
- 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) — effective July 1, 2026 for the Town's own adoption (Bennett-Watkins Fire Rescue, the separate special district that performs fire plan review/inspection for Bennett, Watkins, and unincorporated Adams/Arapahoe County, is separately shown by its own website as still operating under the 2018 IFC as of this review — confirm current fire-district code edition directly with Bennett-Watkins Fire Rescue at 303-644-3572, since fire code adoption is that district's own action, not the Town Building Department's)
- 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — effective July 1, 2026
- 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — effective July 1, 2026 (new code title added in this cycle; no 2018-cycle equivalent was listed)
- Colorado Model Electric and Solar Ready Code — effective July 1, 2026 (statewide model code addressing EV/solar readiness, adopted by the Town as part of the 2026 cycle)
- 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code — effective July 1, 2026
- 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — currently in effect per the Town's Adopted Building Department Codes list (the NEC was not part of the July 1, 2026 update batch and continues under its existing adoption)
- PRIOR CYCLE (2018 codes), still governing permits issued before July 1, 2026 that have not expired: 2018 IBC, 2018 IRC, 2018 IPC, 2018 IMC, 2018 IEBC, 2018 IFC, 2018 IFGC, 2018 IECC.
- Transition rule (per the Town's 'Building Code Update 2026' notice, verified directly): the Town issued NO permits under the 2024 cycle before July 1, 2026. Permits issued under the 2018 cycle before July 1, 2026 may finish construction on that code cycle, UNLESS the permit expires after July 1, 2026, in which case renewal or a new permit after that date requires meeting 2024 code. All permits issued on or after July 1, 2026 must meet the 2024 I-codes. EXCEPTION: 8 named residential master-plan developments currently under construction on 2018-cycle approved master plans (Bennett Avenue Townhomes; Bennett Crossing Filing 5 Phases 1A/1B; Bennett Ranch Filing 1; Bennett Ranch Filing 2; Horizon Village; Muegge Farms Filing 4 Phases 4A/4B; Muegge Farms Filing 5; Muegge Farms Filing 7 Phase 1) are given until July 1, 2028 to finish their current phase under the 2018 cycle. As of this file's lastVerified date (2026-07-06), the 2024 cycle is the live, current adopted code for new permit applications outside these named exceptions.
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
Required for new single-family, duplex, and townhome construction in the Town of Bennett. Reviewed under the 2024 IRC/IBC as adopted effective July 1, 2026 (or the 2018 cycle for pre-existing/grandfathered master-plan developments). Valuation is calculated from the ICC Square Footage Building Valuation Data table; if the applicant's provided valuation exceeds the Town's calculated minimum, the higher figure is accepted.
Residential Addition / Interior Remodel Permit
Required for additions and interior remodels (kitchen, bathroom, basement finish) to existing homes in Bennett. Uses the same valuation-based Building Permit fee table as new construction, but with published minimum valuations specific to remodel scope (per square foot for basement finish, kitchen, bathroom remodels).
Electrical Permit
Required for installation, alteration, or repair of electrical systems in Bennett. Per the Town's own June 2026 Schedule of Fees, electrical permit fees are 'Set by State' — the Town of Bennett does NOT run its own certified electrical inspection program and defers to the Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA/DPO) statewide fee schedule (CRS 12-23-117). Governed by the 2023 NEC. Contractors need a Colorado State Master Electric License and Electrical Contractor License, plus a Town of Bennett Electrical Registration (no fee).
EV Charger / EVSE Installation Permit
Required for installation of a Level 2 (or higher) electric vehicle charging circuit in Bennett. Filed as a standard Electrical Permit — fees are 'Set by State' per the Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA/DPO) statewide schedule (CRS 12-23-117), but the Town of Bennett publishes its own real quick-permit minimum valuation specifically for EV chargers ($1,100) in its Permit Valuations guide, distinct from its other electrical minimum-valuation line items.
Plumbing Permit
Required for installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing systems in Bennett. Unlike electrical (which is 'Set by State'), the Town's own fee schedule bills Plumbing Permits under 'See Building Permit' — confirming the Town of Bennett runs its OWN local plumbing permitting/review process on its valuation-based Building Permit fee table, rather than deferring to the Colorado State Plumbing Board. Governed by the 2024 IPC as adopted (2018 IPC for pre-transition permits). Contractors need a Colorado State Master Plumber License/Plumbing Contractor License plus a Town of Bennett Plumbing Registration ($75).
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for furnace, air conditioning, and other heating/cooling/ventilation equipment installation or replacement in Bennett. Fee schedule lists Mechanical Permit as 'See Building Permit' (billed on the Town's own valuation-based Building Permit table, same as Plumbing). Governed by the 2024 IMC and 2024 IFGC as adopted.
Re-Roof Permit
Required for re-roofing work in the Town of Bennett. Billed under the Quick Permits minimum valuation check sheet, with distinct per-square (100 sq ft) minimum valuations by roofing material. A dedicated 'Roof' Building Guide is published.
Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
Required for residential and commercial solar photovoltaic installations in Bennett. The Town's permit portal supports SolarAPP+ automated code-compliance review for the majority of residential roof-mounted PV systems; a Solar Photovoltaic System Requirements Checklist is also published for non-SolarAPP+ submittals.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit
Required for attached or detached Accessory Dwelling Units on single-family residential parcels in Bennett. The Town publishes a Colorado Chapter ICC-produced ADU Building Guide (updated for the 2024 IRC / Appendix AQ) covering detached, attached-internal, and attached-external ADU types, height/setback/separation standards, and basic plan-submittal contents.
Demolition Permit
Required for demolition of primary and secondary/accessory structures in Bennett. Billed as a flat fee (not valuation-based), with separate rates for primary versus secondary/accessory structures. Asbestos inspection guidance is published alongside the demolition permit materials.
Commercial Tenant Improvement / Core and Shell Permit
Required for commercial tenant improvement and core-and-shell buildout projects in Bennett. Uses reduced-percentage valuations of the calculated new-construction square-footage valuation rather than a full new-build valuation.
Deck / Patio Cover / Carport Permit
Required for uncovered decks, porches, patio covers, and carports in Bennett. Published minimum valuations differ by deck material and by structure type (deck vs. patio cover vs. carport). Dedicated Building Guides are published for 'Uncovered Decks and Porches' and 'Patio Cover & Carport.'
Furnace / Water Heater Replacement (Quick Permit)
Streamlined Quick Permit category for straightforward furnace and water heater replacements in Bennett, with published flat minimum valuations distinct from the general mechanical/plumbing permit process.
New residential construction activity
New privately-owned residential construction onlyHousing units authorized by building permits for new privately-owned residential construction — this is not total permit volume (no commercial permits or remodels).
- Latest month (2026-05)
- 7units
7 buildings · $2.6M valuation
- Trailing 12 months
- 145units
12 of 12 months reported · #23 in Colorado coverage by units
- Year to date (2026 YTD through 2026-05)
- 62units
62 buildings · $22.3M valuation
5 month(s) reported to Census
- Full year 2025
- 138units
135 buildings · $42.3M valuation
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (BPS), 2026-05 vintage. Census survey data — separate from the permit-requirements verification above. All Colorado building activity
Tips & gotchas
- Bennett is a statutory town straddling BOTH Adams County and Arapahoe County — the Town's own Building Department issues all permits Town-wide, but projects within the Arapahoe County portion owe an ADDITIONAL 0.25% open-space sales & use tax on top of the Town's standard 2% use tax. Confirm which county your specific parcel sits in before estimating total permit cost.
- As of this file's verification date (2026-07-06), Bennett is 5 days into enforcing its NEW 2024 code cycle (IBC/IRC/IEBC/IMC/IECC/IPC/IFC/IFGC/ISPSC, plus the Colorado Model Electric and Solar Ready Code and the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code), which took effect July 1, 2026. Permits issued under the prior 2018 cycle before that date may finish on that code cycle unless they expire, and 8 specifically named residential master-plan developments have a grandfathered exception through July 1, 2028 — confirm with the Building Department which cycle applies to any project spanning this transition.
- Colorado-specific electrical vs. plumbing rule, VERIFIED for Bennett specifically (not assumed): Electrical permits are 'Set by State' (Bennett defers to the Colorado State Electrical Board/DORA statewide fee schedule) — but Plumbing and Mechanical permits are billed 'See Building Permit,' meaning Bennett runs its OWN local plumbing and mechanical permitting/review program on its own valuation table. This is a genuine split within one jurisdiction, not a blanket rule — do not assume both trades default to the state.
- Bennett's Building Department is staffed via a contract with Charles Abbott Associates (CAA) — Chief Building Official Steve Jones and inspection staff Brad Jones/Daniel Willman are CAA employees, not direct Town staff, though bennettbuilding@bennett.co.us remains the primary Town-side contact channel.
- Bennett-Watkins Fire Rescue (BWFD) is a SEPARATE special district (not the Town Building Department) that independently reviews and inspects fire-related scope for Bennett, Watkins, and unincorporated Adams/Arapahoe County — with its own ~60-business-day minimum plan-review SLA and its own fee structure. This runs in parallel with, not inside, the Town's own Building Department permit process; budget time and fees for both.
- The Town publishes unusually granular, REAL minimum valuations for common quick-permit and remodel scopes (furnace $3,300, water heater $1,800, EV charger service $1,100, deck by material $22-27/sq ft, re-roof by material $260-625/square, kitchen remodel minor vs. major $84 vs $143/sq ft, etc.) in its 'Permit Valuations' guide — use these directly rather than estimating, and remember the Town accepts a higher contractor-provided valuation if your actual cost exceeds the published minimum.
- The Town does not publish a numeric Building Department plan-review turnaround (days/weeks) for ANY permit type on its Building Permits, Building Permit Fees, Building Inspections, Homeowner Permits, Contractors, or Building Guides/Checklists pages, nor in its June 2026 Schedule of Fees or Permit Valuations guide. Bennett-Watkins Fire Rescue's separate ~60-business-day minimum is for FIRE plan review specifically and is not conflated with Building Department timelines anywhere in this file — every permitType here is honestly null/unverified with a documented chase trail.
- Failure to obtain a permit before starting work doubles the permit fee (Investigation Fee = 100% of the Building Permit Fee) per Bennett Municipal Code §18-1-20.
- Electrical and Plumbing contractor credentials in Bennett are explicitly REGISTRATIONS, not licenses (per the Town's own Contractors page) — Electrical Registration carries no fee, Plumbing Registration is $75 — both are layered on top of, not a substitute for, the required Colorado State Master Electric/Plumber License and corresponding State Contractor License.
- The Building Department accepts PDF file format ONLY for plan review uploads through the SmartGov portal — confirm your plan set is exported/scanned to PDF before starting a permit application.
- The published ADU Building Guide is a generic Colorado Chapter International Code Council template (not a Bennett-specific zoning excerpt) — it covers IRC Appendix AQ code essentials and height/setback/separation basics, but explicitly states zoning specifics (size cap, lot coverage, parking, owner-occupancy) are locally determined; confirm current Bennett zoning-code ADU standards directly with the Planning Department.