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Demolition Permit in Boulder, Colorado

Required for demolition of structures in the City of Boulder. A multi-step process requiring asbestos testing (now administered as part of the building-permit process), utility disconnects, and — for full-structure demolitions and Level 4 alterations — an approved Sustainable Deconstruction Plan demonstrating diversion of building materials from the landfill. Non-designated structures over 50 years old also require a separate Historic Preservation Demolition Review.

Verified 2026-06-30 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Full or partial demolition removing 50% or more of roof area, 50% or more of exterior walls (measured contiguously around building coverage), or any exterior wall facing a public street triggers the BRC demolition definition
  • Asbestos testing required above trigger thresholds: Residential — 32 sq ft of disturbed surfaces, 50 linear ft of disturbed pipe, or 55-gallon-drum volume of waste; Commercial — 160 sq ft of disturbed surfaces, 260 linear ft of disturbed pipe, or 55-gallon-drum volume of waste
  • If asbestos-containing materials are found, a copy of the state-issued asbestos mitigation permit or state-issued demolition approval notice is required before city demolition permit issuance
  • Full-structure demolitions and Level 4 Alteration projects require an approved Sustainable Deconstruction Plan (via Green Halo Systems) demonstrating diversion of building materials from landfill disposal
  • Non-designated structures over 50 years old require a separate Historic Preservation Demolition Review (separate from, and can run alongside, the Demolition Permit Application)
  • Utility disconnects (electric, gas, water) required with provider written confirmation; sewer line capped/removed to main, inspected and approved by public works
  • Additional fees apply for buildings over 50 years old (Historic Preservation Application Fees)

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Demolition Permit — Interior non-load bearing2026 Schedule of Fees, Demolition Permit Fee (Section 4-20-4(f)1)
$24.55
Demolition Permit — All other (full/exterior/structural)
$173.70
Construction and Demolition Deposit Administrative Fee2026 Schedule of Fees, Section 4-20-72 — required when a deposit is required under Section 3601.2.3 of the Boulder Building Code / Section R328.2.3 of the Boulder Residential Code
$219.00
Historic Preservation Demolition/Moving/Removal — Primary Building (built before 1940)2026 Schedule of Fees, Historic Preservation Application Fees; applies to non-landmarked buildings over 50 years old
$282.00
Historic Preservation Demolition/Moving/Removal — Primary Building (built 1940 or after)
$51.00
Historic Preservation Demolition/Moving/Removal — Accessory Building
$51.00

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Boulder building department
~1–1 business days

How long did your Demolition Permit permit actually take in Boulder?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Pre-Demolition Utility Verification

    Verification that electric, gas, water are disconnected and sewer capped before demolition begins

  2. 2

    Final

    Site cleared, debris removed, deconstruction plan diversion documented

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

Tips

  • Start asbestos testing and, if needed, the Sustainable Deconstruction Plan (Green Halo Systems) early — a full demolition permit cannot be approved without these in place.
  • Any structure over 50 years old that is not already historically designated triggers a separate Historic Preservation Demolition Review — budget lead time for this in addition to the standard demolition permit.
  • Demolition of any exterior wall facing a public street counts toward the BRC demolition threshold even if less than 50% of total exterior wall area — alley-facing walls are excluded from that specific trigger.

Frequently asked questions

Boulder requires a demolition permit for: Full or partial demolition removing 50% or more of roof area, 50% or more of exterior walls (measured contiguously around building coverage), or any exterior wall facing a public street triggers the BRC demolition definition; Asbestos testing required above trigger thresholds: Residential — 32 sq ft of disturbed surfaces, 50 linear ft of disturbed pipe, or 55-gallon-drum volume of waste; Commercial — 160 sq ft of disturbed surfaces, 260 linear ft of disturbed pipe, or 55-gallon-drum volume of waste; If asbestos-containing materials are found, a copy of the state-issued asbestos mitigation permit or state-issued demolition approval notice is required before city demolition permit issuance; Full-structure demolitions and Level 4 Alteration projects require an approved Sustainable Deconstruction Plan (via Green Halo Systems) demonstrating diversion of building materials from landfill disposal; Non-designated structures over 50 years old require a separate Historic Preservation Demolition Review (separate from, and can run alongside, the Demolition Permit Application); Utility disconnects (electric, gas, water) required with provider written confirmation; sewer line capped/removed to main, inspected and approved by public works; Additional fees apply for buildings over 50 years old (Historic Preservation Application Fees). If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Boulder Planning & Development Services at 303-441-1880 before starting work.

In Boulder, the published Demolition Permit — Interior non-load bearing is: $24.55. Additional published fees: Demolition Permit — All other (full/exterior/structural) — $173.70; Construction and Demolition Deposit Administrative Fee — $219.00; Historic Preservation Demolition/Moving/Removal — Primary Building (built before 1940) — $282.00; Historic Preservation Demolition/Moving/Removal — Primary Building (built 1940 or after) — $51.00; Historic Preservation Demolition/Moving/Removal — Accessory Building — $51.00. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for a demolition permit in Boulder typically runs 1–1 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with City of Boulder Planning & Development Services at 303-441-1880.

You'll need: Demolition Permit Application (CSS Portal); Sustainable Deconstruction Plan (Green Halo Systems); Asbestos Test Report or State Asbestos Mitigation/Demolition Approval. Depending on your project, Boulder may also ask for: Historic Preservation Demolition Review Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Boulder requires 2 inspection(s) for a demolition permit, in order: Pre-Demolition Utility Verification, Final. Schedule each through City of Boulder Planning & Development Services (303-441-1880).

Apply through City of Boulder Planning & Development Services at 1101 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO 80302. Phone: 303-441-1880, email: PDSpermitadmin@bouldercolorado.gov. Office hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.. Official information: https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/building-permits-and-inspections.

Boulder, Colorado has adopted: 2024 International Building Code (IBC) family — City Council adopted the 2024 International Code Council (ICC) suite of codes with local amendments on March 20, 2025 (Ordinance 8684); effective August 1, 2025; local amendments codified in Title 10 of the Boulder Revised Code; 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) — part of the 2024 ICC suite adopted March 20, 2025, effective August 1, 2025, with Boulder amendments in BRC Title 10; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — part of the 2024 ICC suite, effective August 1, 2025; 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — part of the 2024 ICC suite, effective August 1, 2025; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — part of the 2024 ICC suite, effective August 1, 2025; 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) — part of the 2024 ICC suite, effective August 1, 2025; 2024 City of Boulder Energy Conservation Code (CoBECC) — Boulder's own locally-amended energy code (not a straight IECC adoption), effective December 1, 2024; published on ICC Digital Codes as COBECC2024P1; mandatory-measures checklist now required to be integrated into commercial/multifamily plan sets; 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC), as amended by the City of Boulder — effective August 1, 2023; amendments in BRC Title 10; 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) — applies to properties in Boulder's designated wildland urban interface zone per the city's Structure Protection Plan / Wildland Fire program (edition as referenced in Boulder's Zoning and Permitting FAQ, Oct. 2020; confirm current edition at time of application). Local amendments apply — see the Boulder overview page for the full list.

You generally need asbestos testing (with state mitigation/demolition approval documentation if ACM is found), utility disconnect confirmations, and — for full-structure demolition or Level 4 alterations — an approved Sustainable Deconstruction Plan showing diversion of materials from the landfill. Non-designated structures over 50 years old also require a separate Historic Preservation Demolition Review.

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.

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