Residential Addition / Remodel Permit in Lafayette, Colorado

Lafayette requires a residential addition / remodel permit for: Small Residential Permits category (existing structures/lots) covers: Basements; Structural and Non-structural Remodels; Decks; Patio Covers/Pergolas; Accessory Structures (detached garages, storage sheds 120 sq ft or more, carports); Mobile Home Sets (including construction trailers); Residential Additions under 750 sq ft; Gas Fireplace/Firepit; Swimming Pools; Residential Additions of 750 sq ft or larger are classified with New Single-Family/Two-Family/Multi-Family/ADU permits under the longer 8-12 week first-comments review track, not the 2-3 week Small Residential track; Plan size cap: Residential Remodel Plans no larger than 11 x 17 inches for electronic review; Projects in the Old Town Neighborhood Overlay District must additionally meet the Old Town Neighborhood Additional Requirements, Overlay District Regulations, and Dimensional Standards; Retaining walls under 3 feet in height and one-story storage sheds under 120 sq ft do not require a permit. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Lafayette Planning & Building Department, Building Division at 303-661-1451 before starting work.

In Lafayette, the published Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based Exhibit A schedule as new construction) is: $30.00 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the Building Permit Fee Schedule. Additional published fees: Plan Check Fee — 65% of the Building Permit Fee; City Use Tax — 3.87% of 60% of total value (0.02322 x value); Boulder County Use Tax — 1.335% of 60% of total value (0.00801 x value). These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

The City's published estimate for Small Residential Permits — which includes basements, decks, patio covers/pergolas, accessory structures, and residential additions under 750 sq ft — is 2 to 3 weeks.

You'll need: Building Permit Application; Applicable Building Checklist. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Lafayette requires 4 inspection(s) for a residential addition / remodel permit, in order: Foundation (if new footings), Rough Frame, Rough Electrical / Plumbing / Mechanical, Final Inspection. Schedule each through City of Lafayette Planning & Building Department, Building Division (303-661-1451).

Apply through City of Lafayette Planning & Building Department, Building Division at 1290 S. Public Road, Lafayette, CO 80026. Phone: 303-661-1451, email: buildingpermits@lafayetteco.gov. Office hours: City Hall public access hours Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm; Building staff available via phone/email during regular business hours. Main city line (303) 665-5588; Building Division direct line (303) 661-1451; Planning staff (303) 661-1270.. Official information: https://www.lafayetteco.gov/92/Planning-Building-Department.

Lafayette, Colorado has adopted: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted with an effective date of August 1, 2023, per the 2023 Lafayette Colorado Building Code. Source: City of Lafayette Building Code & Design Information page, https://www.lafayetteco.gov/361/Building-Code-Design-Information; 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — adopted with the same August 1, 2023 effective date; includes a local amendment requiring Class 4 Impact Resistant Shingles (effective March 15, 2021) for reroofing. Source: same page as above; 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC); 2021 International Fire Code (IFC); 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — includes local commercial low-slope roof reflectance/emittance requirements per IECC Section C402.3, Table C402.3; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC); 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC); 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC); 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC); 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — the City's live Solar Permit Application Process document states 'All work shall comply with the 2023 National Electric Code without amendments.' (re-grounded 2026-07-16 on a live primary source after the Solar Photovoltaic Plan Review and Inspections webpage that previously carried this quote was removed from the site). Source (PDF): https://www.lafayetteco.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17165/Lafayette-Solar--Permit-Process; 2023 Lafayette Colorado Building Code — the City's consolidated adoption document incorporating the 2021 I-Code package plus local strengthening amendments and the 2023 NEC; effective August 1, 2023. Source (PDF): https://www.lafayetteco.gov/DocumentCenter/View/36791/2023-Lafayette-Colorado-Building-Code-Final; Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code — adopted statewide in 2025; applies within State-mapped low- or medium-risk wildfire areas in Lafayette (128 acres total: 44 acres of open space on the southeast edge of the city, 84 acres along the west side near Nyland Way and Brittney Lane). Requires non-combustible building materials for new construction in mapped areas and defines defensible-space/fuel-reduction guidelines within 30 feet of structures. Source: City of Lafayette Building Code & Design Information page, https://www.lafayetteco.gov/361/Building-Code-Design-Information. Local amendments apply — see the Lafayette overview page for the full list.