Mechanical / HVAC Permit in Boulder, Colorado
Required for heating, cooling, ventilation, and fuel-gas equipment installations in the City of Boulder. Governed by the 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), both effective August 1, 2025. Residential HVAC and solar-thermal permits can be submitted online via the CSS Portal.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Furnace, A/C, heat pump, boiler replacement or new installation
- Ductwork installation or significant modification
- Solar thermal (solar water heating) systems are processed as a Mechanical Permit, not an Electrical Permit
- Mechanical HVAC (Residential Only)/Solar Water Heater/Wood Burning permits can be submitted online via the CSS Portal
- Mechanical Contractor license classes are trade- and code-section-specific (Class A/B/C/D/E per BRC Section 4-20-13)
Required documents
- Req
Mechanical Permit Application (CSS Portal)
Submitted online for residential HVAC, solar water heater, and wood-burning appliance permits
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Permit — labor & materials $100 or less | $13.60 | 2026 Schedule of Fees, Mechanical Permit Fee (Section 4-20-13) |
| Mechanical Permit — $100.01 to $400 | $16.75 | — |
| Mechanical Permit — $400.01 to $800 | $19.90 | — |
| Mechanical Permit — $800.01 and above | $19.90 for the first $800 plus $3.75 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof | — |
| Solar Thermal System — Residential | $69.60 | — |
| Solar Thermal System — Nonresidential and Multifamily | $139.20 | — |
| Mechanical Contractor License — Class A (any IMC/IFGC construction) | $253.50 | 2026 Schedule of Fees, Building Contractor License Fee table (Section 4-20-13) |
| Mechanical Contractor License — Class C (one- and two-family dwellings under IRC) | $127.25 | — |
| Mechanical Contractor License — Class E (boilers, water heaters, hydronics) | $63.50 | — |
Review timeline
~0–0 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Boulder building department
Inspection process
- 1
Rough-In / Equipment
Equipment installation and ductwork before walls closed
- 2
Final
Equipment operational, combustion air and venting verified
Tips
- Boulder processes solar water heating (solar thermal) as a Mechanical Permit — separate from rooftop solar PV, which is processed as an Electrical Permit.
- Mechanical contractor licenses in Boulder are split into five classes (A through E) based on the type of equipment and code section — confirm the correct class before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- What mechanical code does Boulder use?
- The 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC), adopted as part of Boulder's 2024 ICC code suite (Ordinance 8684), effective August 1, 2025. Fuel gas work follows the companion 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), also effective August 1, 2025.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- City of Boulder Planning & Development Services — official building department
- Building Permits and Inspections — City of Boulder
- Planning and Development Services 2026 Schedule of Fees — City of Boulder
- Building Codes and Regulations — City of Boulder (2024 IMC/IFGC adoption)
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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