What permits are required for a commercial tenant improvement in Boulder?

A commercial/multi-family building permit reviewed against the 2024 IBC family and the 2024 City of Boulder Energy Conservation Code (CoBECC), submitted with the Multi-family and Non-residential Building Permit Checklist package (Scope of Work Form, Building Owner Authorization, Plumbing Fixture Count and Irrigation Form, Energy Modeling Summary Report, and the CoBECC Mandatory Measures Checklist integrated into the plan set).

Commercial Tenant Improvement Permit in Boulder, Colorado

Required for interior remodels, additions, and tenant improvements in commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use buildings in the City of Boulder. Governed by the 2024 IBC family and the 2024 City of Boulder Energy Conservation Code (CoBECC), with the CoBECC Mandatory Measures Checklist now required to be integrated directly into the plan set.

Verified 2026-06-30 · Source

When you need this permit

Use the 'Multi-family and Non-residential Building Permit Checklist' / Multi-family, Commercial, or Mixed-Use Tenant Finish Guide to prepare the application package
Incomplete applications or plans not meeting submittal requirements will not be accepted for review
Required core documents: Scope of Work Form, Building Owner Authorization Form, Plumbing Fixture Count and Irrigation Form, Energy Modeling Summary Report
2024 CoBECC Mandatory Measures Checklist must be integrated into the construction plan set
Conditional requirements depending on scope/location: asbestos inspection reports (commercial trigger: 160 sq ft disturbed surfaces / 260 linear ft disturbed pipe), stormwater fee calculations, Historic Preservation approvals, floodplain/wetland permits, Wildland-Urban Interface compliance documentation
Plan Check Fee for nonresidential/multifamily initial application = 65% of the building permit fee

Required documents

Req
Multi-family and Non-residential Building Permit Checklist
City of Boulder's checklist for commercial/multifamily permit applications
Req
Scope of Work Form
Structure-type-specific scope form
Req
Building Owner Authorization Form
Authorization from the building owner for the proposed tenant finish work
Req
Plumbing Fixture Count and Irrigation Form
Determines plumbing permit fee tier and potential water/irrigation impact
Req
Energy Modeling Summary Report
Demonstrates CoBECC compliance for the tenant finish scope
Req
2024 CoBECC Mandatory Measures Checklist
Integrated directly into the construction plan set to document energy code compliance

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (Table applies; Tenant Finish scope = 50% of Table valuation)	Per the City of Boulder Valuation Table – Scope: Tenant Finish = 50%, Core and Shell = 75%, New = 100%	2026 Schedule of Fees, City of Boulder Valuation Table — Scope percentages apply to the ICC August 2025 square-foot construction cost table by occupancy group and construction type
Plan Check Fee — Nonresidential, initial application	65% of the Building Permit Fee	2026 Schedule of Fees, Plan Check Fee (Section 4-20-4(f)7)
Energy Code Fee — Commercial	$104.05	2026 Schedule of Fees, Energy Code Fee (Section 4-20-4(f)8)

Review timeline

~1–1 business days

Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Boulder building department

Inspection process

1
Framing / Structural
After framing complete, before walls covered
2
MEP Rough-In
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing rough-in before walls closed
3
Final
All work complete, life safety systems functional, ready for Certificate of Occupancy

Tips

Boulder's Tenant Finish valuation scope is 50% of the applicable ICC construction-cost-table value (vs. 100% for new construction and 75% for core-and-shell) under the City of Boulder Valuation Table — factor this into fee estimates.
The 2024 CoBECC Mandatory Measures Checklist must now be built directly into the plan set for commercial/multifamily tenant finish projects — this is a Boulder-specific requirement distinct from a generic IECC compliance path.
Incomplete submittals (missing any of the four core forms) will be rejected outright rather than routed to review — assemble the full package before submitting.

Frequently asked questions

What permits are required for a commercial tenant improvement in Boulder?: A commercial/multi-family building permit reviewed against the 2024 IBC family and the 2024 City of Boulder Energy Conservation Code (CoBECC), submitted with the Multi-family and Non-residential Building Permit Checklist package (Scope of Work Form, Building Owner Authorization, Plumbing Fixture Count and Irrigation Form, Energy Modeling Summary Report, and the CoBECC Mandatory Measures Checklist integrated into the plan set).

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Boulder building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Other permits in Boulder

Residential Building Permit (New Construction)Residential Addition / Remodel Permit Electrical Permit Plumbing Permit Mechanical / HVAC Permit Roofing Permit (Reroof)Solar PV Permit Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit Demolition Permit Deck / Covered Patio Permit

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