Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Boulder, Colorado

Boulder requires a residential building permit (new construction) for: 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. 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 Building Permit Fee — valuation $500 or less is: $25.00. Additional published fees: 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; Plan Check Fee — single-family residential, initial application — 25% of the Building Permit Fee; Energy Code Fee — Residential — $83.90. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for a residential building permit (new construction) 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: Residential - New Construction and Additions Requirements Checklist; Scope of Work Form; Lot Area Declaration Form / Zoning Data Worksheet; Survey (Colorado Licensed Land Surveyor stamp); Structural Drawings; Energy Conservation Code Documentation; Stormwater & Flood Management Plant Investment Fee Calculation Form; Plumbing Fixture Count Form; Residential Housing, Development Excise Tax and Impact Fee Worksheet. Depending on your project, Boulder may also ask for: Soils Report. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Boulder requires 5 inspection(s) for a residential building permit (new construction), in order: Foundation / Footings, Framing, MEP Rough-In, Insulation / Energy, 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.

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.

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.