Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Boulder, Colorado
Required for new single-family detached dwellings, duplexes, townhomes, and other one- and two-family residential new construction in the City of Boulder. Reviewed against the 2024 IRC (effective Aug. 1, 2025) and the 2024 City of Boulder Energy Conservation Code (CoBECC, effective Dec. 1, 2024), plus Boulder Revised Code Title 9 zoning and Title 10 building amendments.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Application and plan set submitted via the Customer Self-Service (CSS) Portal (EnerGov-based)
- Plans must comply with the 2024 IRC with Boulder amendments (BRC Title 10) and the 2024 CoBECC
- Structural drawings for all new structures and additions must be designed by a Colorado-licensed engineer to resist wind, seismic, and gravity loads; footings/foundations over 150 sq ft require a Colorado-licensed engineer's seal
- Design wind speed must be shown on plans: 150 mph (3-second gust) east of Broadway, 165 mph west of Broadway
- Colorado-licensed Land Surveyor-stamped survey required in the plan set
- Soils report required for new structures on properties with steep slope, mass-movement, or shrink/swell soil potential (per city Geologic Development Constraints map)
- Grading and drainage plan (Colorado PE-designed) required for significant slope/soils concerns or grade modification
- Homeowner contractor permit is available ONLY for work on a single-family detached dwelling (or its accessory structures) owned and occupied as the owner's primary residence — limited to one property per calendar year; does not apply to detached ADUs
- Sustainable/zero-waste Construction Waste Recycling Application required
Required documents
- Req
Residential - New Construction and Additions Requirements Checklist
City of Boulder checklist covering permit application requirements for new construction/additions to one- and two-family dwellings, detached garages, or accessory buildings
- Req
Scope of Work Form
Structure-type-specific form identifying project scope
- Req
Lot Area Declaration Form / Zoning Data Worksheet
Confirms lot area, zoning district, and applicable form/bulk standards
- Req
Survey (Colorado Licensed Land Surveyor stamp)
Site survey showing property lines, existing/proposed structures
- Req
Structural Drawings
Full structural design (footings, foundation, framing) sealed by a Colorado-licensed engineer where required
- Req
Energy Conservation Code Documentation
Compliance documentation under the 2024 CoBECC; scope varies by project size
- Req
Stormwater & Flood Management Plant Investment Fee Calculation Form
Determines stormwater PIF obligation based on added impervious area
- Req
Plumbing Fixture Count Form
Used to determine plumbing permit fee tier and potential water meter upsizing
- Req
Residential Housing, Development Excise Tax and Impact Fee Worksheet
Calculates Development Excise Tax and Capital Facility Impact Fees due
- Opt
Soils Report
Required for new structures on sites with steep slope, mass-movement, or shrink/swell soil potential
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $500 or less | $25.00 | 2026 Planning and Development Services Schedule of Fees, Building Permit Fees (Section 4-20-4(c)(d)(e)) |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $500.01 to $2,000 | $25.00 for the first $500 plus $3.25 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,000.01 to $25,000 | $74.00 for the first $2,000 plus $14.95 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $25,000.01 to $50,000 | $418.00 for the first $25,000 plus $10.75 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $50,000.01 to $100,000 | $686.00 for the first $50,000 plus $7.45 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,000.01 to $500,000 | $1,059.00 for the first $100,000 plus $5.95 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,000.01 to $1,000,000 | $3,447.00 for the first $500,000 plus $5.05 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,000,000.01 or more | $5,979.00 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.85 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Valuation Basis | Higher of the City of Boulder Valuation Table (ICC August 2025 square-foot construction cost data, e.g. R-3 Single/Two-Family Type V-B = $170.80–$182.23/sf) or applicant's estimated project value | 2026 Schedule of Fees — City of Boulder Valuation Table |
| Plan Check Fee — single-family residential, initial application | 25% of the Building Permit Fee | 2026 Schedule of Fees, Plan Check Fee (Section 4-20-4(f)7); due at application, nonrefundable |
| Energy Code Fee — Residential | $83.90 | 2026 Schedule of Fees, Energy Code Fee (Section 4-20-4(f)8); reviews compliance with the CoBECC |
Review timeline
~1–1 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Boulder building department
Inspection process
- 1
Foundation / Footings
Before concrete pour, per soils report and structural plans; footings must clear the 32-inch frost line
- 2
Framing
After framing complete, before insulation or wall cover
- 3
MEP Rough-In
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing rough-in before walls closed (separate trade permits)
- 4
Insulation / Energy
CoBECC energy compliance verification before drywall
- 5
Final
All work complete, ready for Certificate of Occupancy
Tips
- Boulder adopted the full 2024 ICC code suite effective August 1, 2025 (Ordinance 8684) — confirm the current adopted edition at application, since some older city publications (e.g., the 2020 Zoning FAQ) still cite 2012 IRC-based design criteria.
- Boulder's own Residential Building Permit Guide states current design wind speeds of 150 mph east of Broadway and 165 mph west of Broadway — noticeably higher than the 120/130 mph figures in the older (2020) Zoning and Permitting FAQ; use the newer figure and confirm with Planning & Development Services at application.
- A homeowner may only self-permit work on a single-family detached home they own and occupy as their primary residence, once per calendar year — this exception does NOT extend to a detached ADU.
- Energy compliance is against Boulder's own CoBECC (2024), not a straight IECC — do not assume standard IECC compliance paths apply without checking CoBECC mandatory measures.
Frequently asked questions
- What building code edition does the City of Boulder currently use?
- As of August 1, 2025, Boulder requires the 2024 International Code Council (ICC) suite (IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IFC) adopted by City Council on March 20, 2025 (Ordinance 8684), plus the City's own 2024 Energy Conservation Code (CoBECC, effective Dec. 1, 2024) and the 2023 NEC as amended (effective Aug. 1, 2023). Local amendments are codified in Title 10 of the Boulder Revised Code.
- Can I pull my own building permit as a homeowner in Boulder?
- Yes, but only for work on a single-family detached dwelling (or its accessory structures) that you own and occupy as your primary residence, limited to one property per calendar year. This homeowner exception does not apply to detached accessory dwelling units, which require a licensed contractor.
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
- Residential Building Permit Guide — City of Boulder
- Building Codes and Regulations — City of Boulder (2024 ICC suite adoption, effective dates)
- Planning and Development Services 2026 Schedule of Fees — City of Boulder
- Zoning and Permitting Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, Oct. 28, 2020) — City of Boulder
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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