Who issues electrical permits in Boulder — the city or the State of Colorado?

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.

What electrical code does Boulder use?

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.

Electrical Permit in Boulder, Colorado

Required for electrical installations, alterations, and service changes in the City of Boulder. The CITY issues and reviews electrical permits directly (submitted via the CSS Portal) — Boulder is not routed through a separate statewide DORA/DPO permit-issuance process, but it does require and verify State of Colorado electrical licensure as a prerequisite ('contemporaneous review'). Governed by the 2023 NEC as amended by the City (effective Aug. 1, 2023).

Verified 2026-06-30 · Source

When you need this permit

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)

Required documents

Req
Electrical Permit Application (CSS Portal)
Submitted online via the Customer Self-Service Portal

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Residential Electrical — under 500 sf	$36.70	2026 Schedule of Fees, Electrical Permit Fees (Section 4-20-8)
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	2026 Schedule of Fees, Building Contractor License Fee table (Section 4-20-8) — requires a valid State of Colorado Electrical Contractor's Card and a Colorado-licensed master electrician

Review timeline

~0–0 business days

Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Boulder building department

Inspection process

1
Rough-In
Wiring and conduit installed before walls closed
2
Final
All devices installed, panel labeled, system energized

Tips

The City of Boulder — not the Colorado DORA/DPO Electrical Board — issues and reviews electrical permits inside city limits, but Boulder requires proof of the underlying State of Colorado Electrical Contractor's Card / master electrician license and performs contemporaneous/random compliance reviews.
There is no separate Boulder Electrical Contractor licensing fee published in the 2026 fee schedule, but the State of Colorado Electrical Contractor's Card is a prerequisite.
Photovoltaic (solar) installations are permitted as an Electrical Permit in Boulder, not a separate solar-specific permit type.

Frequently asked questions

Who issues electrical permits in Boulder — the city or the State of Colorado?: 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.
What electrical code does Boulder use?: 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.

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 Plumbing Permit Mechanical / HVAC Permit Roofing Permit (Reroof)Solar PV Permit Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit Demolition Permit Commercial Tenant Improvement Permit Deck / Covered Patio Permit

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