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Change of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit in Westminster, Colorado

Required whenever a building's use or occupancy classification changes in Westminster, governed by the City's adopted 2021 International Existing Building Code (WMC 11-9-1(9)). The Building Division must confirm a proposed occupancy type is allowed in the existing building, and the Fire Department separately reviews the change for fire code compliance. If no structural changes or improvements are made to the site, an Official Development Plan (ODP) is not required (WMC 11-5-5(B)(3)), but Building Division and Fire Department review still applies.

Verified 2026-08-14 · Source

When you need this permit

  • The City's adopted 2021 International Existing Building Code (WMC 11-9-1(9)) governs 'the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition to and relocation of existing buildings' — adopted by Ord. No. 3908 (11-27-2017), amended by Ord. No. 4241 (3-25-2024)
  • WMC 11-5-5(B)(3) exempts 'a change of use or occupancy, if there are no changes or improvements to any structure on the site and all other provisions of this Code are met' from the Official Development Plan (ODP) requirement otherwise imposed on development
  • Before signing a lease or purchasing a site, the Building Division should be contacted to confirm the proposed occupancy type is allowed in the existing building without major renovation; the Planning Division should separately be contacted for zoning approval
  • The Fire Department reviews changes of occupancy — applying to new and existing buildings, tenant improvements, and residential uses — for fire code compliance and the use, modification, or addition of required fire protection systems; a licensing inspection may be scheduled if concerns arise
  • If the change of occupancy involves any structural changes or improvements, the standard building permit / tenant finish process applies, including a full occupancy code analysis (occupancy type, construction type, allowable/actual floor area, occupant load per IBC Table 1004.5) as required by the Commercial Plan Review Submittal Guidelines
  • A new or updated Certificate of Occupancy is issued once Building Division and Fire Department review is complete

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Certificate of Occupancy (copy of previously issued)City of Westminster Building Division Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026
$5.00 each
Temporary Certificate of OccupancyCity of Westminster Building Division Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026
5% of Building Permit Fee, not less than $100.00
Building Permit Fee (if structural work/improvements are involved)Applies only where the change of occupancy includes construction, alteration, or improvement to the structure; no separate flat 'change of use' fee is published for occupancy-only changes with no structural work
Valuation-based, per the general Building Division Fee Schedule

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Change of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit permit actually take in Westminster?

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Inspection process

  1. 1

    Fire Department Licensing Inspection

    May be scheduled by the Fire Department if the change of occupancy raises fire code compliance concerns

  2. 2

    Building Division Inspection

    Required only if construction, alteration, or improvement work is performed as part of the occupancy change

See the full Westminster inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Contact the Building Division (permits@westminsterco.gov, 303-658-2075) BEFORE signing a lease to confirm your intended occupancy type is allowed in the existing building without major renovation — this is explicitly recommended in the City's own business-opening guidance.
  • If there are no changes or improvements to any structure on the site, WMC 11-5-5(B)(3) exempts the change of use/occupancy from the Official Development Plan (ODP) requirement — but Building Division and Fire Department review of the occupancy change itself still applies.
  • Also contact the Planning Division (planning@westminsterco.gov, 303-658-2092) for zoning approval before signing a lease or submitting a permit — occupancy and zoning approval are reviewed by separate divisions.

Frequently asked questions

The City's Building Division and Fire Department both review changes of occupancy even absent construction — the Building Division confirms the new use is allowed in the existing building, and the Fire Department reviews for fire code compliance. If no structural changes or improvements are made, WMC 11-5-5(B)(3) exempts the change from the Official Development Plan (ODP) requirement, but this occupancy review still applies.

In Westminster, the published Certificate of Occupancy (copy of previously issued) is: $5.00 each. Additional published fees: Temporary Certificate of Occupancy — 5% of Building Permit Fee, not less than $100.00; Building Permit Fee (if structural work/improvements are involved) — Valuation-based, per the general Building Division Fee Schedule. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Westminster does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Westminster — Department of Community Development, Building Division at 303-658-2075 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Zoning Verification. Depending on your project, Westminster may also ask for: Building Permit Application (eTRAKiT); Occupancy Code Analysis. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Westminster requires 2 inspection(s) for a change of use / change of occupancy permit, in order: Fire Department Licensing Inspection, Building Division Inspection. Schedule each through City of Westminster — Department of Community Development, Building Division (303-658-2075).

Apply through City of Westminster — Department of Community Development, Building Division at 4800 W. 92nd Avenue, Westminster, CO 80031. Phone: 303-658-2075, email: permits@westminsterco.gov. Office hours: Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (front office); residential permit review walk-through times: Tuesdays 1–4:30 p.m. and Thursdays 9 a.m.–noon; all permits must be applied for online via eTRAKiT. Official information: https://www.westminsterco.gov/621/Building-Division.

Westminster, Colorado has adopted: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) — with City of Westminster amendments; effective June 1, 2024; 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — with City of Westminster amendments; effective June 1, 2024; 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) — with City of Westminster amendments; effective June 1, 2024; 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — with City of Westminster amendments; effective June 1, 2024; 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — with City of Westminster amendments; effective June 1, 2024; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — with City of Westminster amendments; effective June 1, 2024; 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — adopted per Westminster Municipal Code Section 11-9-11, meeting the Colorado HB22-1362 statewide minimum energy-code floor; Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code — adopted per Westminster Municipal Code Section 11-9-12, with Westminster amendments (waiver/variance provisions for commercial buildings over 10,000 sq ft and substantial cost differential appeals); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) / NFPA 70 — current edition (per Westminster's Commercial Plan Review Submittal Guidelines); the City has announced the 2026 NEC will become effective August 1, 2026, superseding the 2023 edition; ICC/ANSI A117.1-2017 — Standard for Accessible Design. Local amendments apply — see the Westminster overview page for the full list.

The City's adopted 2021 International Existing Building Code (WMC 11-9-1(9)), which by its own terms applies to 'the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition to and relocation of existing buildings.'

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Change of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit in other cities

Akron, ColoradoAlamosa, ColoradoArvada, ColoradoAspen, ColoradoAult, ColoradoAurora, ColoradoAvon, ColoradoBasalt, Colorado

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