Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Longmont, Colorado
Required for construction of new single-family homes and other new residential buildings in Longmont. Reviewed against the 2021 IRC (effective Jan 1, 2022) and Longmont's Geographic & Climatic Design Criteria. Applications are submitted through the Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Building permit required for all new construction
- Plans must comply with the 2021 IRC and Longmont's Geographic & Climatic Design Criteria (30 psf snow load, 110 mph nominal / 142 mph ultimate wind, Seismic Design Category B, 30-inch frost depth)
- Homeowner may act as own general contractor on their own property without a Longmont contractor's license; subcontracted trades must be licensed to work in Longmont
- Applications submitted online via the Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal (aca.longmontcolorado.gov)
- Approved plans must be kept on-site during construction
- Sales/use tax due at permit issuance: 50% of project valuation × current city+county tax rate (4.865% combined, per FY2026 Fee Manual)
Required documents
- Req
Residential New Construction Application (via ACA portal)
Online application through Accela Citizen Access; listed under Applications for Permit
- Req
Site Plan / Survey
Property lines, setbacks, existing/proposed structures, drainage, grading
- Req
Construction Drawings
Full architectural and structural plan set showing compliance with the 2021 IRC and Longmont climatic/geographic design criteria
- Req
Energy Compliance Documents
Manual J, Manual D, Manual S and applicable energy compliance path documentation
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1 to $500 | $27.00 | City of Longmont FY2026 Planning & Development Services Fee Manual, Primary Fee Schedule (effective 3/24/2026) |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $501 to $2,000 | $27.00 for the first $500, plus $3.50 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,001 to $25,000 | $79.50 for the first $2,000, plus $16.10 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $25,001 to $50,000 | $449.80 for the first $25,000, plus $11.61 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $50,001 to $100,000 | $740.05 for the first $50,000, plus $8.05 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,001 to $500,000 | $1,142.55 for the first $100,000, plus $6.44 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,001 to $1,000,000 | $3,718.55 for the first $500,000, plus $5.46 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,000,001 and up | $6,448.55 for the first $1,000,000, plus $4.20 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Plan Review Fee — residential | 50% of the Building Permit Fee | FY2026 Fee Manual, Plan Review Fees table |
| Valuation Basis | Gross floor area (sq ft) or scope of work × ICC 'Building Valuation Data' or RS Means 'Building Construction Cost Data', reviewed/adopted annually by City Council | FY2026 Fee Manual, Building Permit Fees Overview |
| Sales/Use Tax | 50% of project valuation × 4.865% (combined current city and county rate) | FY2026 Fee Manual, Building Permit Fees Overview |
| Impact Fees (Transportation, Recreation Buildings, Parks Improvement, Storm Drainage) | Vary by unit size — e.g., Transportation Fee residential 800 sq ft or less = $1,286.75, up to 4,000+ sq ft = $2,782.18; Parks Improvement Fee per single-family detached unit = $7,418.75; Storm Drainage Fee residential single-family per permit = $1,693.53 | FY2026 Fee Manual, Impact and Development Fees section (pages 7-8); full table applies to all new residential construction |
Review timeline
~0–0 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Longmont building department
Inspection process
- 1
Foundation / Footings
Before concrete pour — footings must extend below the 30-inch frost line
- 2
Framing
After framing complete, before insulation or wall cover
- 3
MEP Rough-In
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-in before walls closed
- 4
Insulation / Energy
Insulation and energy compliance verification before drywall
- 5
Final
All work complete, ready for Certificate of Occupancy
Tips
- Longmont's currently adopted base code is still the 2021 IRC/IBC (effective Jan 1, 2022) as of this extraction (2026-06-30) — the 2024 I-Codes were only scheduled for Council consideration May 12, 2026, with an anticipated (not yet confirmed) effective date of July 1, 2026. Confirm current adopted edition with Building Services before design.
- Longmont's Geographic & Climatic Design Criteria table (30 psf snow, 110/142 mph wind, SDC B, 30-inch frost depth) is specific to Longmont — cite it directly rather than assuming statewide or Boulder County figures.
- A homeowner may self-permit as general contractor on their own property, but any subcontracted trade must be licensed to work in Longmont specifically.
- Applications are submitted via the Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal — register for an account before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- What building code edition does Longmont currently use?
- As of this extraction (2026-06-30), Longmont's currently adopted and effective code is the 2021 International Building Code and International Residential Code (effective January 1, 2022). Adoption of the 2024 International Codes was scheduled for City Council consideration on May 12, 2026, with an anticipated effective date of July 1, 2026 — confirm with Building Services (303-651-8332) whether that adoption has since been finalized.
- Can I pull my own building permit as a homeowner in Longmont?
- Yes. A homeowner can act as their own contractor and do the work without a Longmont contractor's license on their own property. If any portion of the work is subcontracted (e.g., electrical wiring), that subcontractor must be licensed to work in Longmont, and the homeowner remains responsible for inspections and sign-offs.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- City of Longmont — Building Services (Building Inspection Division), Development Services Center — official building department
- Permits — City of Longmont Building Services
- City of Longmont FY2026 Planning & Development Services Fee Manual (effective 3/24/2026, PDF)
- 2021 IBC/IRC Geographic Climatic Data Table — City of Longmont (PDF)
- Building Code Update — City of Longmont
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 Longmont building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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