Electrical Permit in Boulder, Colorado

Boulder requires an electrical permit for: Electrical Contractor license from the City of Boulder required for most work (Section 4-20-8), no separate licensing fee for the Electrical Contractor category per the 2026 fee schedule; City verifies State of Colorado electrical licensure/apprenticeship compliance under the 'Contemporaneous Reviews of Electrical and Plumbing Licenses' program (per Colorado SB19-156) — the city can request state licensure documentation before or at any time after permit issuance, and can perform random on-site inspections during active work; Electrical permits (including Photovoltaic) can be submitted online via the CSS Portal; Residential electrical fee is based on enclosed living area of new construction, remodels, and additions to one- and two-unit dwellings/townhomes; Nonresidential/multifamily electrical fee is based on total cost of the electrical installation (labor + materials). 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 Residential Electrical — under 500 sf is: $36.70. Additional published fees: Residential Electrical — 500 to 999 sf — $51.75; Residential Electrical — 1,000 to 1,499 sf — $69.60; Residential Electrical — 1,500 to 1,999 sf — $90.25; Residential Electrical — 2,000 sf or more — $90.25 + $5.90 per 100 sf over 2,000 sf; Residential Electrical — Service Change Only — $36.70; Mobile Home Electrical (per space) — $42.85; Nonresidential / Multifamily Electrical — $300 or less — $42.85; Nonresidential / Multifamily Electrical — $300.01 to $3,000 — $50.90; Nonresidential / Multifamily Electrical — $3,000.01 or more — $19.60 per $1,000 of electrical valuation or fraction thereof; Temporary Construction Power Permit — $36.40, no tax; Electrical Contractor License — No fee. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for an electrical permit in Boulder typically runs 0–0 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: Electrical Permit Application (CSS Portal). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Boulder requires 2 inspection(s) for an electrical permit, in order: Rough-In, 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.

The City of Boulder's Planning & Development Services issues and reviews electrical permits directly for all work within city limits. Boulder requires contractors to hold a valid State of Colorado Electrical Contractor's Card and be a Colorado-licensed master electrician as a prerequisite, and conducts 'contemporaneous reviews' (per Colorado SB19-156) to verify state licensure and apprenticeship compliance, but permit issuance itself is a city function, not a state DORA/DPO function.

The 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC), as amended by the City of Boulder, effective August 1, 2023. Amendments are codified in Title 10 of the Boulder Revised Code.