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PermitBase

This is PermitBase’s published record for Westcliffe as of 2026-07-06. It has since been superseded — see the current record. A historical record reflects what PermitBase had verified at that time; it may not capture a real-world change the jurisdiction had made but PermitBase had not yet verified, and it includes any errors we later corrected. Snapshots are never edited retroactively.

Westcliffe building permits

Verified

Westcliffe, Colorado — as published 2026-07-06.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Codes adopted

2006 International Building Code (IBC), excluding all appendices unless specifically adopted — Westcliffe Municipal Code Title 3, Chapter 2, Section 3-2-1 (Ord. 7-2016, eff. 6/2/2016, repealing and replacing the section originally adopted by Ord. 3-1991, amended by Ord. 3-1996, Ord. 1-2000, Ord. 2-2008)2006 International Residential Code (IRC), with Appendix E (Manufactured Housing Used as Dwellings) adopted in its entirety2006 International Mechanical Code (IMC)2006 International Fire Code (IFC), with Wet Mountain Fire Protection District named as the Department of Fire Prevention for the Town (Section 103.1 amendment)2006 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — locally amended to replace all references to the International Property Maintenance Code2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)No local International Plumbing Code (IPC) or National Electrical Code (NEC) edition is separately adopted by the Town — electrical and plumbing permitting/inspection authority is assigned entirely to the State of Colorado (see localAmendments and the electrical-permit/plumbing-permit entries below).Currency note: the Town's own codified Municipal Code (Title 3, Chapter 2, most recently amended by Ord. 7-2016, eff. 6/2/2016) still specifies the 2006 ICC code family with no more recent edition-adoption ordinance found after a full chase (Municode library, Town press-release archive, and direct site search for a 2018/2021/2024-edition adoption ordinance all came up empty as of this review). Colorado is home-rule with no statewide-mandated code edition for a town this size, so the 2006 suite is treated as the current, governing adopted code for this file rather than assumed to have been silently upgraded.

Permit types & fees

Residential Building Permit (New Construction)

Verified

Required for new construction of single-family homes in the Town of Westcliffe. Reviewed under the 2006 IRC/IBC as locally adopted and amended, including the Town's Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria (50 psf ground snow load, 110 mph wind speed, 40-inch frost depth, no mandatory ice barrier underlayment). Issued by the Town's Building and Zoning Official.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Plans must comply with the 2006 IRC/IBC as locally adopted and amended by Municipal Code Title 3, Chapter 2
  • Must meet the Town's Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria: 50 psf ground snow load, 110 mph wind speed, Exposure C seismic design, 40-inch minimum frost line depth, -10°F winter design temperature
  • Electrical and plumbing work require SEPARATE permits issued by the State of Colorado (DORA/DPO), not the Town — see electrical-permit and plumbing-permit entries
  • Building permit fee determined by the Building Official from total project valuation per the Town's standalone Fee Schedule
  • Plan Review Fee (50% of permit fee for residential new construction) due at time of application submittal, separate from the permit fee itself
  • If work is started before a permit is obtained, the permit fee doubles

Required documents

  • RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationAvailable from the Building Department (719-783-2282, ext. 12) or the Applications & Forms page
  • RequiredSite Plan / Construction PlansPlans demonstrating compliance with the 2006 IRC/IBC and the Town's Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Building Permit Fee — valuation $1.00 to $500.00$100.00Town of Westcliffe standalone Fee Schedule (internally dated 6/2021, published as 'FEE SCHEDULE adopted 2024.pdf')
Building Permit Fee — valuation $500.01 to $2,000.00$100.00 for the first $500.01, plus $4.00 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000.00
Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,000.01 to $25,000.00$200.00 for the first $2,000.01, plus $15.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000.00
Building Permit Fee — valuation $25,000.01 to $50,000.00$1,000.00 for the first $25,000.01, plus $11.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000.00
Building Permit Fee — valuation $50,000.01 to $100,000.00$1,500.00 for the first $50,000.01, plus $7.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000.00
Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,000.01 to $500,000.00$2,500.00 for the first $100,000.00, plus $6.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000.00
Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,000.01 to $1,000,000.00$7,500.00 for the first $500,000.01, plus $6.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000.00
Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,000,000.01 and up$12,500.00 for the first $1,000,000.01, plus $4.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof
Plan Review Fee (Residential New Construction)50% of permit fee, due at time of application submittal
Penalty for starting work before permit issuancePermit fee doublesStated explicitly on the Town's Fee Schedule

Residential Addition / Remodel Permit

Verified

Required for additions and remodels to existing single-family structures in Westcliffe, including basement finishes. Reviewed under the 2006 IRC as locally adopted. The Town publishes a prescriptive 'International Code Council Building Guide' for Single Family Residential Additions and Basement Finishes specifically.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Plans must comply with the 2006 IRC as locally adopted and amended
  • Town-published 2006 ICC Building Guides available for Single Family Residential Addition and Single Family Residential Basement Finish scopes specifically (contact Building Department, 719-783-2282 ext. 12, for copies)
  • Electrical and plumbing work require separate State of Colorado (DORA/DPO) permits, not Town permits
  • Additions/Remodels carry a flat Plan Review Fee distinct from the general Residential New Construction plan review rate

Required documents

  • RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationAvailable from the Building Department or Applications & Forms page
  • OptionalSingle Family Residential Addition / Basement Finish Building GuideTown-published 2006 ICC prescriptive guide; contact Building Department for a copy

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as new construction)$100.00 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the Town's standalone Fee ScheduleSame table as residential-building-permit
Plan Review Fee — Additions/Remodels$200.00 flatDistinct from the 50%-of-permit-fee rate used for Residential New Construction
Penalty for starting work before permit issuancePermit fee doubles

Electrical Permit

Verified

Electrical permits within Westcliffe town limits are issued and inspected entirely by the State of Colorado, NOT the Town — per an explicit local amendment in Municipal Code Title 3, Chapter 2 (IBC Section 101.4.1 and parallel IEBC sections) stating electrical inspections are performed by Colorado State Electrical Inspectors under the State's adopted code, with a separate permit required. Custer County is not listed among the counties excluded from state jurisdiction on the DORA/DPO Electrical Permits jurisdiction page, confirming state authority applies here.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Permit must be purchased directly through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), Electrical & Plumbing Permits online system — NOT through the Town of Westcliffe
  • Homeowners hiring a licensed Electrical Contractor should not apply for the permit themselves; the contractor is responsible for obtaining it. It is a violation of state law for anyone other than the homeowner (if self-performing) or a registered Electrical Contractor to install electrical work
  • Residential fee basis: square footage of living space to be wired
  • Commercial/other fee basis: valuation of installation (materials + labor)
  • A separate permit is required for each detached structure on the same property (e.g. garage, studio, barn), clearly identified

Required documents

  • RequiredDORA/DPO Electrical Permit Application (online)Purchased via the state's online Electrical & Plumbing Permits system

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
State of Colorado Electrical Permit FeeSet by the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA/DPO) statewide fee schedule — not a Town of Westcliffe feeFee calculated by residential square footage or commercial/other installation valuation per the state's own published fee schedule; not reproduced here as it is a state-administered fee outside Town jurisdiction

Plumbing Permit

Verified

Plumbing permits within Westcliffe town limits are issued and inspected entirely by the State of Colorado, NOT the Town — per an explicit local amendment in Municipal Code Title 3, Chapter 2 (IBC Section 101.4.4 and parallel IEBC sections) stating plumbing inspections are performed by Colorado State Plumbing Inspectors under the State's adopted code, with a separate permit required. Custer County is not listed among the counties excluded from state jurisdiction on the DORA/DPO Plumbing Permits jurisdiction page, confirming state authority applies here.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Permit must be purchased directly through the Colorado DORA/DPO Electrical & Plumbing Permits online system — NOT through the Town of Westcliffe
  • Homeowners hiring a licensed Plumbing Contractor should not apply for the permit themselves; the contractor is responsible for obtaining it
  • Residential fee basis: fixture count (traps, water hammer arrestors, backflow preventers, water heaters, fuel gas outlets/pressure regulators)
  • Commercial fee basis: valuation of installation (materials + labor)
  • A separate permit is required for each detached structure on the same property

Required documents

  • RequiredDORA/DPO Plumbing Permit Application (online)Purchased via the state's online Electrical & Plumbing Permits system

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
State of Colorado Plumbing Permit FeeSet by the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA/DPO) statewide fee schedule — not a Town of Westcliffe feeFee calculated by residential fixture count or commercial installation valuation per the state's own published fee schedule; not reproduced here as it is a state-administered fee outside Town jurisdiction

Mechanical / HVAC Permit

Verified

Required for heating, ventilation, and mechanical equipment installation, replacement, or repair in Westcliffe. Governed by the 2006 International Mechanical Code (IMC) as locally adopted. Issued by the Town's Building and Zoning Official; fee is set off the cost of the job per the Town's Administration Fee Schedule rather than the general valuation-tier Building Permit Fee table.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Governed by the 2006 IMC as adopted by the Town of Westcliffe
  • Applies to new installation, replacement, and repair of mechanical systems
  • Fee for mechanical inspections is set off the cost of the job — contact the Building and Zoning office directly for a quote rather than relying on the general valuation-tier table

Required documents

  • RequiredMechanical/Building Permit ApplicationAvailable from the Building Department

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Mechanical Inspection Fee (New, Replacement, Repairs)Fee set off cost of job — contact Building and Zoning officeAdministration Fee Schedule, Town of Westcliffe Fee Schedule document; distinct from the general valuation-tier Building Permit Fee table used for new construction
Re-Inspection Fee (contractor requested inspection, not ready)$50.00 per hour
After-hours inspection$200.00 per hour
Holiday inspection$200.00 per hour

Re-Roofing Permit

Verified

Required for re-roofing work on single-family residential structures in Westcliffe. Governed by the 2006 IRC/IBC. The Town publishes a dedicated 'Single Family Residential Re-Roofing' ICC Building Guide, and the Town's Design Criteria chart does NOT require ice barrier underlayment (unlike some higher-elevation Colorado mountain jurisdictions).

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Governed by the 2006 IRC/IBC as locally adopted
  • Ice barrier underlayment is NOT required per the Town's Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria chart (Ice Barrier Underlayment = NO), a notable difference from many peer Colorado mountain-town jurisdictions
  • Town-published 'Single Family Residential Re-Roofing' 2006 ICC Building Guide available by contacting the Building Department (719-783-2282, ext. 12)

Required documents

  • RequiredBuilding Permit Application — Re-Roof scopeAvailable from the Building Department
  • OptionalSingle Family Residential Re-Roofing Building GuideTown-published 2006 ICC prescriptive guide for this scope

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Building Permit Fee (valuation-based, same schedule as new construction)$100.00 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the Town's standalone Fee ScheduleNo separate flat re-roof fee is published; billed under the general valuation-based Building Permit Fee schedule

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit

Required for construction or conversion of an Accessory Dwelling Unit in Westcliffe. ADUs were established as a permitted use by right (within certain parameters) by Ordinance No. 4-2024 (adopted October 15, 2024), which added Title 10, Chapter 1, Section 17 to the Municipal Code. An ADU may be new construction or a conversion of an existing accessory structure (e.g. shed, garage).

Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Permitted as a use by right within certain parameters per Ordinance No. 4-2024 (Title 10, Chapter 1, Section 17) — confirm specific dimensional/parameter limits (size caps, setbacks, owner-occupancy requirements, etc.) directly with the Building and Zoning office, as the full ordinance text could not be independently retrieved in machine-readable form during this review
  • May be new construction or conversion of an existing accessory structure (shed, garage) per the Town Manager/Building & Zoning Officer's own public description of the program
  • Underlying construction must still comply with the 2006 IRC/IBC as locally adopted, including the Town's Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria
  • A Board of Trustees resolution delaying ADU permit and other fees applies ONLY to town-owned lots, not privately-owned lots generally — do not assume a blanket fee deferral

Required documents

  • RequiredBuilding Permit Application — ADU scopeAvailable from the Building Department; confirm any ADU-specific application/checklist directly with the office

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as new construction)$100.00 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the Town's standalone Fee ScheduleNo ADU-specific fee waiver applies to privately-owned lots; a fee-delay resolution passed by the Board of Trustees applies only to town-owned lots per the Town Manager's own public statement

Demolition Permit

Verified

Required for demolition of residential, commercial, or accessory structures in Westcliffe. The Town's Fee Schedule sets distinct flat fees by structure category (Residential, Commercial, Accessory Building), each plus Building and Zoning administration fees.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Separate flat fee categories apply by structure type: Residential, Commercial, and Accessory Building
  • Each Demo Permit fee is charged in addition to Building and Zoning administration fees

Required documents

  • RequiredDemolition Permit ApplicationAvailable from the Building Department

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Demo Permit — Residential$300.00 plus Building and Zoning administration feesTown of Westcliffe Fee Schedule
Demo Permit — Commercial$500.00 plus Building and Zoning administration fees
Demo Permit — Accessory Building$100.00 plus Building and Zoning administration fees

Deck / Covered Patio / Carport Permit

Verified

Required for construction of uncovered decks, porches, patio covers, and carports in Westcliffe. The Town publishes dedicated 2006 ICC Building Guides for 'Single Family Residential Patio Covers & Carports', 'Enclosing Existing Patio Covers', and 'Uncovered Decks & Porches' specifically.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Governed by the 2006 IRC as locally adopted, including the Town's Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria (50 psf snow load, 110 mph wind speed)
  • Town-published ICC Building Guides available for this scope by contacting the Building Department (719-783-2282, ext. 12): Patio Covers & Carports, Enclosing Existing Patio Covers, and Uncovered Decks & Porches

Required documents

  • RequiredBuilding Permit Application — Deck/Patio Cover/Carport scopeAvailable from the Building Department
  • OptionalRelevant ICC Building Guide (Patio Covers & Carports / Enclosing Existing Patio Covers / Uncovered Decks & Porches)Town-published 2006 ICC prescriptive guide matching the specific project scope

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Building Permit Fee (valuation-based, same schedule as new construction)$100.00 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the Town's standalone Fee ScheduleNo separate flat fee is published for this scope; billed under the general valuation-based Building Permit Fee schedule

Commercial Tenant Improvement / Commercial Building Permit

Verified

Required for new commercial construction, tenant improvements, and commercial remodels in Westcliffe. Governed by the 2006 IBC as locally adopted. Commercial plan review is performed under contract by the International Code Council (ICC) itself, at a distinctly higher plan-review rate than residential.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Governed by the 2006 IBC as locally adopted and amended by Municipal Code Title 3, Chapter 2
  • Commercial Plan Review is performed by the International Code Council under contract with the Town — billed at 65% of the permit fee, a materially higher rate than the 50% residential-new-construction rate
  • Electrical and plumbing work require separate State of Colorado (DORA/DPO) permits, using the commercial/installation-valuation fee basis

Required documents

  • RequiredBuilding Permit Application — Commercial scopeAvailable from the Building Department

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as residential)$100.00 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the Town's standalone Fee ScheduleSame table as residential-building-permit; the Town's Fee Schedule does not publish a separate commercial-specific valuation table
Commercial Plan Review Fee (performed by the International Code Council)65% of permit feeDistinct from and higher than the 50% Residential New Construction plan review rate

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-06.

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 Westcliffe building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Later version (2026-07-07) →View current record →All versions →

Permalink: /colorado/custer-county-co/westcliffe/as-of/2026-07-06/

Snapshot date: 2026-07-06

Commit: 19ed6df

Reproducible from PermitBase’s version-controlled dataset, commit 19ed6df.