This is PermitBase’s published record for Castle Pines as of 2026-08-13. It has since been superseded — see the current record.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.
Castle Pines building permits
VerifiedCastle Pines, Colorado — as published 2026-08-13.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
New Residential Building Permit
VerifiedRequired for new single-family or duplex residential construction in Castle Pines. Categorized as a Plan Review Permit under the 2021 IRC/IBC as locally adopted; requires two identical, scaled, stamped drawing sets.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Plan Review Permit track: two identical drawing sets required, showing all structural components, drawn to scale
- Two foundation drawings stamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer or architect required for residential construction
- Site plan required showing dimensions, setbacks, easements, utilities, other structures, and distances to property lines
- Energy Code Compliance Report (energycodes.gov) or REScheck calculations required
- All contractors (general, electrical, plumbing, mechanical) must hold a current City of Castle Pines contractor license; electrical and plumbing contractors must additionally hold current Colorado DORA Electrical Board / Plumbing Board licenses
- Total project valuation (materials + labor, including owner labor at fair market value) must be accurately estimated on the application
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationCity of Castle Pines Building Permit Application, submitted via the SmartGov online portal
- RequiredSite PlanScaled drawing showing dimensions, setbacks, easements, utilities, and distances to property lines
- RequiredTwo Stamped Foundation DrawingsStamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer or architect
- RequiredEnergy Code Compliance Report or REScheckPer energycodes.gov calculations
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — $1.00 to $500.00 | $42.00 | 2026 Fee Schedule (effective document dated May 2026) |
| Building Permit Fee — $501.00 to $2,000.00 | $42.00 for the first $500.00 plus $5.45 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $2,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — $2,001.00 to $25,000.00 | $123.75 for the first $2,000.00 plus $25.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $25,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — $25,001.00 to $50,000.00 | $698.75 for the first $25,000.00 plus $18.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $50,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — $50,001.00 to $100,000.00 | $1,148.75 for the first $50,000.00 plus $12.45 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $100,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — $100,001.00 to $500,000.00 | $1,771.25 for the first $100,000.00 plus $9.95 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $500,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — $500,001.00 to $1,000,000.00 | $5,751.25 for the first $500,000.00 plus $8.45 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $1,000,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — $1,000,001.00 and up | $9,976.25 for the first $1,000,000.00 plus $6.50 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of total building permit fee | — |
| Zoning Fee | $63.00 flat (Plan Review Permits only) | CORRECTED 2026-08-02: previously listed as $60.00. Independently re-verified directly against the City's current 2026 Fee Schedule PDF (Community Development table, 'Zoning Review for Building Permit -- $63.00'). |
| Douglas County Use Tax | 1% of 50% of total project value | — |
| Castle Pines Use Tax | 3.75% of 50% of total project value | — |
| Electrical Permit Fee | As outlined by Colorado state statute (CRS 12-23-117(3)) | Residential: based on square footage; Commercial: based on value |
Residential Addition / Remodel Permit
VerifiedRequired for additions and remodels to existing single-family dwellings. Categorized as a Plan Review Permit under the 2021 IRC as locally adopted.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Plan Review Permit track: two identical drawing sets, scaled, showing all structural components
- Additions require two foundation drawings stamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer or architect
- Site plan required; structures may not be built over setback lines, easements, or property lines
- New openings exceeding 6 feet in a bearing wall require detailed structural specifications
- Additions cannot enclose bedroom or basement egress windows; heat required in all habitable rooms
- Existing electric service amperage must be indicated; may require upgrade or relocation
- Energy Code Compliance Report (energycodes.gov) or REScheck calculations required
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted via SmartGov online portal
- RequiredSite PlanScaled drawing showing project dimensions relative to setbacks, easements, and property lines
- RequiredFloor PlanExisting and new dimensions, new openings, relocated items
- RequiredFoundation Detail / Construction DetailsFoundation detail, exterior elevations, energy code compliance
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Same valuation-based schedule as new residential construction (2026 Fee Schedule Table) | — |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of total building permit fee | — |
| Zoning Fee | $63.00 flat | CORRECTED 2026-08-02: previously listed as $60.00. Independently re-verified directly against the City's current 2026 Fee Schedule PDF (Community Development table, 'Zoning Review for Building Permit -- $63.00'). |
| Douglas County Use Tax | 1% of 50% of project value | — |
| Castle Pines Use Tax | 3.75% of 50% of project value | — |
Electrical Permit
VerifiedRequired for electrical service changes, wiring, and equipment installation in Castle Pines. Governed by the National Electrical Code as adopted (2020 NEC base edition, floating to the Colorado State Electrical Board's current recognized edition). Fees follow the Colorado state-mandated schedule rather than a City-set table; electrical contractors need only a current Colorado Electrical Board (DORA) license (no City license fee) plus City contractor registration.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Governed by the National Electrical Code (NEC), 2020 edition as adopted, 'amended and updated to the most current edition by the Colorado State Electrical Board from time to time' (Municipal Code Sec. 18-3-10)
- Electrical Service Amp Change qualifies as a 1-Stop Permit (no drawings required)
- Contractors must hold a current Colorado Electrical Board (DORA) license and a City of Castle Pines Class E Electrical Contractor registration (no City license fee for this class)
- Fee set by Colorado state statute (CRS 12-23-117(3)), not a City-determined table
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Electrical Permit ApplicationSubmitted via SmartGov online portal
- RequiredCity of Castle Pines Contractor License (Class E)Requires proof of current Colorado Electrical Board (DORA) license; $0.00 City license fee
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit Fee | As outlined by Colorado state statute (CRS 12-23-117(3)) | Residential: based on square footage of the project; Commercial: based on value. City's own 2026 Fee Schedule lists this line item as 'As outlined by State Statute' rather than a City-set dollar table. |
| Contractor License Fee — Class E Electrical | $0.00 annually | 2026 Fee Schedule; contingent on proof of current State of Colorado Electrical Board license |
Plumbing Permit
VerifiedRequired for plumbing installation, alteration, or repair. Governed by the 2021 International Plumbing Code as locally adopted. Plumbing contractors must hold a Colorado Plumbing Board (DORA) Master Plumber license plus a City of Castle Pines Class F Plumbing Contractor registration ($50/year).
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Governed by the 2021 IPC as adopted (Municipal Code Chapter 18, Article V)
- Water/Sewer Line Repair/Replacement qualifies as a 1-Stop Permit (no drawings required)
- Contractors must hold a current Colorado Plumbing Board Master Plumber license plus a City Class F Plumbing Contractor registration
- If on a septic system, county health department approval is required before permit issuance
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Plumbing Permit ApplicationSubmitted via SmartGov online portal
- RequiredCity of Castle Pines Contractor License (Class F)Requires copy of current Colorado Plumbing Board Master Plumber license
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (plumbing billed under general valuation-based schedule) | Per 2026 Fee Schedule Table 1-A valuation tiers | — |
| Contractor License Fee — Class F Plumbing | $50.00 annually | — |
| Douglas County / Castle Pines Use Tax | 1% / 3.75% of 50% of project value, respectively | — |
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
VerifiedRequired for heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment installation or replacement. Governed by the 2021 International Mechanical Code as adopted. Air Conditioning System and Furnace Replacement qualify as 1-Stop Permits.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Governed by the 2021 IMC as adopted (Municipal Code Chapter 18, Article IV)
- Air Conditioning System, Furnace Replacement, and Gas Fireplace installation qualify as 1-Stop Permits (no drawings required)
- Separate mechanical permits are not required where mechanical work is included within a general building permit for the structure (IMC Sec. 106.1 local amendment)
- Contractors must hold a City of Castle Pines Class G Mechanical/HVAC/Warm-Air & Ventilation Contractor registration; all electrical work within a mechanical/HVAC project must be performed by a State of Colorado Licensed Master Electrician
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Mechanical Permit ApplicationSubmitted via SmartGov online portal; 1-Stop track for AC/furnace/gas fireplace
- RequiredCity of Castle Pines Contractor License (Class G)Mechanical/HVAC/Warm-Air & Ventilation
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (mechanical billed under general valuation-based schedule) | Per 2026 Fee Schedule Table 1-A valuation tiers | — |
| Contractor License Fee — Class G Mechanical/HVAC | $75.00 annually | — |
| Douglas County / Castle Pines Use Tax | 1% / 3.75% of 50% of project value, respectively | — |
Reroof Permit
VerifiedRequired for any re-roofing project or roof repair replacing more than 100 square feet of roofing. Qualifies as a 1-Stop Permit (no drawings required). Governed by the 2021 IRC/IBC and the City's own Residential Roofing Requirements handout, which explicitly waives the ice-barrier-underlayment requirement.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for any re-roofing project or roof repair replacing more than 100 square feet of roof
- 1-Stop Permit: no drawings required
- Asphalt shingles must meet ASTM D-3161 Class A, D, or F testing/installation requirements, or ASTM D 7158 Class G or H
- Drip edge flashing required on all eaves and rake edges
- Roofing nails must penetrate through the roof sheathing or a minimum of 3/4 inch into the decking
- All existing roofing layers must be removed on a tear-off (no roofing over multiple existing layers)
- Design Criteria: 105 mph, 3-second gust wind speed; Wind Exposure Category B
- Ice Barrier underlayment is explicitly NOT required in Castle Pines
- Mid-roof inspections required only on flat and tile roofs; a ladder must be on-site and tied off to the roof for all roof inspections
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Reroof, 1-Stop track)Submitted via SmartGov online portal
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (valuation-based, same schedule as new construction) | Per 2026 Fee Schedule Table 1-A | — |
| Douglas County / Castle Pines Use Tax | 1% / 3.75% of 50% of project value, respectively | — |
Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Permit
VerifiedRequired for rooftop photovoltaic system installations. Not explicitly listed among the City's 1-Stop Permit examples, so it is treated as falling under the Plan Review Permit track (structural roof-mounting plus electrical interconnection). Electrical portion governed by the NEC as adopted; a Colorado statutory fee cap applies to the aggregate of all local solar permit fees.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Requires both a building permit (structural/mounting compliance) and an electrical permit (NEC-compliant wiring/interconnection), consistent with the general Colorado approach to rooftop PV
- Electrical portion governed by the National Electrical Code (2020 NEC as adopted, updated to the Colorado State Electrical Board's current recognized edition)
- Contractors must hold City of Castle Pines contractor licenses (Class E Electrical at minimum) plus applicable Colorado DORA licenses
- IFC fire-code amendments (Ordinance No. 23-02/23-07) explicitly allow the fire code official to exempt or modify fire apparatus access road requirements for solar photovoltaic power generation facilities
- Colorado HB21-1284 caps the aggregate of all City-imposed fees and charges related to installing an active solar energy system at $500.00 for a residential permit ($1,000.00 for commercial)
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Electrical Permit ApplicationSubmitted via SmartGov online portal
- RequiredStructural/Roof-Mounting Plan SetShowing panel placement, mounting attachment method, and roof structural adequacy
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregate solar permit fee cap (residential) | $500.00 maximum, per Colorado HB21-1284 | Statutory statewide cap on all City-imposed fees/charges related to installing an active solar energy system |
| Aggregate solar permit fee cap (commercial) | $1,000.00 maximum, per Colorado HB21-1284 | — |
| Electrical Permit Fee component | Governed by CRS 12-23-117, Section B (All Other/valuation-based fees), which explicitly names photovoltaic as an example of a non-square-footage installation billed on total installed cost | No Castle-Pines-specific dollar table was located as of this review. Show full citationHideNo Castle-Pines-specific dollar table was located as of this review. For reference only, neighboring Douglas County's own published Section B schedule (Castle Pines is not bound by this exact table, but it illustrates how CRS 12-23-117 Section B is typically implemented) charges $57 flat up to $2,000 valuation, then $5 per $1,000 (or fraction) plus $57 above that. Whatever Castle Pines' own equivalent electrical fee comes to, the City's combined total remains capped by the HB21-1284 aggregate limit above. |
Demolition Permit
VerifiedRequired for interior or whole-structure demolition. Listed on the Building Permit Application as a distinct permit type and separately as a 1-Stop Permit example on the Building Department FAQ.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- 1-Stop Permit: no drawings required
- Listed as a distinct checkbox permit type ('Demolition (interior or whole structure)') on the City's Building Permit Application form
- All contractors performing demolition work must hold a City of Castle Pines Class J Demolition Contractor registration
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Demolition, 1-Stop track)Submitted via SmartGov online portal
- RequiredCity of Castle Pines Contractor License (Class J Demolition)Requires copies of current licenses from two other jurisdictions
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (valuation-based) | Per 2026 Fee Schedule Table 1-A | — |
| Contractor License Fee — Class J Demolition | $75.00 annually | — |
| Douglas County / Castle Pines Use Tax | 1% / 3.75% of 50% of project value, respectively | — |
Commercial Alteration / Tenant Improvement Permit
VerifiedRequired for commercial tenant finish and alteration work. Listed as 'Commercial Alteration' on the City's Building Permit Application; categorized under the Plan Review Permit track with the City's longer 10-business-day commercial review timeline.
Verified 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Listed as 'Commercial Alteration' on the Building Permit Application (distinct checkbox from 'New Commercial')
- Plan Review Permit track: two identical scaled drawing sets required
- All contractors must hold applicable City of Castle Pines contractor licenses
- No Castle-Pines-specific published tenant-improvement submittal checklist was located; the general Plan Review Permit submittal standard applies (site plan/floor plan/construction details as applicable to scope). Re-chased 2026-08-02 directly against the City's live Building Design Guides and Resources page (fetched via an automated fetch, not a an automated fetch summary): the page lists guides for Additions, Residential Basement Finish, Pole Barns, Accessory Structures, Residential Swimming Pools, Uncovered Decks and Porches, Re-Roofing, Asbestos Testing and Abatement, and Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems only — no Commercial Alteration or Tenant Improvement guide is published. This is a confirmed absence (checked the current live page directly), not an inference from an earlier chase.
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Commercial Alteration)Submitted via SmartGov online portal
- RequiredPlan SetTwo identical scaled drawings showing all structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing components affected by the tenant finish
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — $1.00 to $500.00 | $42.00 | 2026 Fee Schedule (effective document dated May 2026), Building section, 'Building Permit Fees' table. Show full citationHide2026 Fee Schedule (effective document dated May 2026), Building section, 'Building Permit Fees' table. Re-chased 2026-08-02: this valuation-tier table is confirmed to be a single unified schedule that is NOT split by residential vs. commercial — the City's own fee-schedule PDF (downloaded and read directly page-by-page, not via a an automated fetch summary) shows only one 'Building Permit Fees' table under the BUILDING section heading, immediately followed by a separately-labeled 'Electrical Permit Fees' line ('As outlined by State Statute') which IS explicitly the only building-related fee split by residential/commercial in this schedule. This closes the prior ambiguity over whether commercial tenant-improvement valuation fees follow a different table than residential; they do not. Independently corroborated by the City's Building Permit Application form (PDF), whose 'For Office Use Only' fee-assessment block (Building Permit Fee / Plan Review Fee / Zoning Fee / Castle Pines Tax / Douglas County Tax) is a single shared set of fields used regardless of which Permit Type checkbox is selected, including 'Commercial Alteration.' |
| Building Permit Fee — $501.00 to $2,000.00 | $42.00 for the first $500.00 plus $5.45 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $2,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — $2,001.00 to $25,000.00 | $123.75 for the first $2,000.00 plus $25.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $25,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — $25,001.00 to $50,000.00 | $698.75 for the first $25,000.00 plus $18.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $50,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — $50,001.00 to $100,000.00 | $1,148.75 for the first $50,000.00 plus $12.45 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $100,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — $100,001.00 to $500,000.00 | $1,771.25 for the first $100,000.00 plus $9.95 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $500,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — $500,001.00 to $1,000,000.00 | $5,751.25 for the first $500,000.00 plus $8.45 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $1,000,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — $1,000,001.00 and up | $9,976.25 for the first $1,000,000.00 plus $6.50 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of total building permit fee | — |
| Zoning Fee | $63.00 flat | CORRECTED 2026-08-02: previously listed as $60.00. Independently re-verified directly against the City's current 2026 Fee Schedule PDF (Community Development table, 'Zoning Review for Building Permit -- $63.00'). |
| Douglas County Use Tax | 1% of 50% of total project value | — |
| Castle Pines Use Tax | 3.75% of 50% of total project value | — |
Deck / Patio Cover / Carport Permit
VerifiedRequired for decks, carports, patio covers/pergolas, and fences over seven feet. Categorized as a Plan Review Permit under the 2021 IRC as locally adopted.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Plan Review Permit track: two identical scaled drawing sets required, showing all structural components
- Foundation details required (Foundation Detail A for 200-600 sq ft accessory structures, Detail B for over 600 sq ft, per the City's Accessory Structures guide, though decks/patio covers have their own dedicated guides)
- Structures may not be built over setback lines, easements, or property lines
- An as-built survey is required if proposed within 12 inches of a required minimum setback
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Plan Review track)Submitted via SmartGov online portal
- RequiredSite PlanScaled drawing showing dimensions relative to setbacks, easements, and property lines
- RequiredFloor Plan / Construction DetailsStructure dimensions, foundation detail, bracing
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (valuation-based) | Per 2026 Fee Schedule Table 1-A | — |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of total building permit fee | — |
| Zoning Fee | $63.00 flat | CORRECTED 2026-08-02: previously listed as $60.00. Independently re-verified directly against the City's current 2026 Fee Schedule PDF (Community Development table, 'Zoning Review for Building Permit -- $63.00'). |
| Douglas County / Castle Pines Use Tax | 1% / 3.75% of 50% of project value, respectively | — |
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
VerifiedCastle Pines has no standalone EV-charger/EVSE permit type or fee line item. Installing electric vehicle charging equipment is electrical work, and per this file's own electrical-permit entry, is issued directly by the City (not routed to a state agency) under the National Electrical Code as adopted (2020 NEC base edition, floating to the Colorado State Electrical Board's current recognized edition per Municipal Code Sec. 18-3-10). The City's own Building Department FAQ lists 'Electrical Service Amp Change' among its '1-Stop Permits' (no drawings required, typically issued within 24 hours), but does not separately list EV chargers, EVSE, or electric vehicle charging as a named 1-Stop category -- checked the FAQ page directly, no mention found. A simple EV charger circuit addition that does NOT involve a service amp change would therefore likely require the standard (non-1-Stop) electrical permit process rather than the expedited 24-hour track. Fees follow the Colorado state-mandated schedule (CRS 12-23-117(3)) rather than a City-set table, same as all electrical work -- this is a real, currently-in-force governing fee mechanism, confirmed directly against the City's own 2026 Fee Schedule, which lists the electrical permit line item as 'As outlined by State Statute' rather than substituting a City dollar table. Colorado's HB24-1173 (C.R.S. Sec. 31-23-316, effective August 7, 2024) requires municipalities with population 10,000+ to adopt a standardized EV-charging permitting process, adopt the state's model land use code, or formally opt out, by December 31, 2025; Castle Pines' 2020 Census population (11,036) exceeds this threshold. Checked directly on 2026-07-20 against the City's Municode library (library.municode.com/co/castle_pines), City Council/Planning Commission agenda archives, and the Colorado Energy Office's EV-charging-permitting page -- no adopted ordinance, resolution, model-code adoption, or opt-out resolution referencing HB24-1173 or C.R.S. Sec. 31-23-316 was found published by the City as of this review; this is reported as a genuine compliance-status gap in Castle Pines' public materials, not an inferred status.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- EV charger circuit installation is electrical work; apply via the SmartGov online portal using the standard Building/Electrical Permit Application
- If the installation is limited to a service amp change, it qualifies as a '1-Stop Permit' (no drawings required, typically issued within 24 hours) per the City's own Building Department FAQ
- If the installation involves new circuit wiring beyond a simple amp change, it is not explicitly listed as a 1-Stop category and likely follows the standard Plan Review Permit process instead
- Contractors must hold a current Colorado Electrical Board (DORA) license and a City of Castle Pines Class E Electrical Contractor registration (no City license fee for this class)
- Fee set by Colorado state statute (CRS 12-23-117(3)), not a City-determined table
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Electrical Permit ApplicationSubmitted via SmartGov online portal for the EV charger circuit
- RequiredCity of Castle Pines Contractor License (Class E)Requires proof of current Colorado Electrical Board (DORA) license; $0.00 City license fee
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit Fee | As outlined by Colorado state statute (CRS 12-23-117(3)) | Residential: based on square footage of the project; Commercial: based on value. City's own 2026 Fee Schedule lists this line item as 'As outlined by State Statute' rather than a City-set dollar table -- no distinct EV-charger fee line exists. |
| Contractor License Fee — Class E Electrical | $0.00 annually | 2026 Fee Schedule; contingent on proof of current State of Colorado Electrical Board license |
Sign Permit
VerifiedRequired from the City's Planning Division for any sign exceeding 6 square feet in area, and again any time an existing sign's area is increased, per Zoning Ordinance Section 29 (Sign Standards), Section 2903. Governs on-site, off-premise, and median-island signage citywide; political campaign signs are the sole named exemption from the permit requirement itself, though they remain subject to size/height/setback/removal rules.
Verified 2026-08-13 · Source
Requirements
- Sign permit required from the Planning Division for any sign exceeding 6 square feet in area, and any time the sign area is increased (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 2903.01)
- Fully dimensioned drawing showing the sign message, plus a site plan showing the location, setback, height, and area of all proposed and existing signage (Sec. 2903.02)
- Maximum height citywide: 15 feet; a variance may be requested from the Board of Adjustment under Zoning Ordinance Section 26 (Sec. 2905)
- Sign setback: minimum 75 feet from the lot line adjacent to a federal, state, or major City arterial highway right-of-way, reducible to the underlying zoning district's street setback if adequate right-of-way has been dedicated for future widening (Sec. 2904.01); minimum 10 feet from any lot line and no placement within utility easements or public rights-of-way (Sec. 2904.03); signs under 15 feet in height may sit closer per the sliding height/setback scale in Figure A (Sec. 2904.04)
- Prohibited citywide: portable/non-permanently-affixed signs; signs mounted or painted on vehicles/trailers/boats used as advertising; revolving beacons, flashing signs, or any animated/intermittent lighting; sound-emitting signs; signs in the public right-of-way (including political signs placed there); signs obstructing traffic-control devices; general outdoor advertising or off-site-use advertising; waving flags/banners (limited exceptions for government and civic/charitable/religious/fraternal flags, and 2-week grand-opening banners); roof-mounted signs or signs projecting above the roofline/fascia; signs projecting more than 18 inches perpendicular from a building or mounted more than 18 inches off the wall; and home-occupation identification signs (Sec. 2906)
- Residential/agricultural districts (A-1/LRR/RR/ER/SR/MF/MH): sizes are capped by use, e.g. 3 sq ft residence ID, 6 sq ft temporary for-sale/rent/lease, 48 sq ft subdivision entrance ID (6 ft max height), 48 sq ft community-facility ID (Sec. 2907)
- Business/commercial/industrial districts (B/C/LI/GI): wall signs at 50 sq ft plus 1 sq ft per lineal foot of building frontage over 50 feet, up to 450 sq ft (10-foot max character/logo height); freestanding/monument signs up to 200 sq ft at 1 sq ft per 3 lineal feet of street frontage; corner-lot freestanding signs up to 100 sq ft (Sec. 2908)
- Political campaign signs are exempt from the permit requirement entirely, but are capped at 32 sq ft per face (2 faces max), 15 feet in height, may not be placed in the public right-of-way, and must be removed within 2 weeks after the final election (Sec. 2911)
- If any new electrical work is involved (illuminated signs), a separate Electrical Permit is also required from the Building Department, per the City's Sign Permit Application form
Required documents
- RequiredSign Permit ApplicationCity of Castle Pines Sign Permit Application form
- RequiredSite Plan (2 copies, to scale)Street address, proposed sign location, distance from property boundaries, and all existing structures on the site (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 2903.02)
- RequiredSign Details (2 sets)Proposed color scheme, scaled elevation showing size/height from ground and adjacent street level, square footage per face and aggregate if more than one face; two sets of building elevations required for wall signs
- OptionalElectrical Permit ApplicationRequired in addition to the sign permit if the sign involves new electrical work (e.g., illumination)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Permit Fee | $63.00 plus $1.00 per square foot | 2026 Fee Schedule (Community Development section), consistent with Zoning Ordinance Sec. Show full citationHide2026 Fee Schedule (Community Development section), consistent with Zoning Ordinance Sec. 2903.03 ('A sign permit fee shall be established by the Council'). This supersedes the $50.00 base fee shown on the City's own older Sign Permit Application PDF form (undated revision, still live on the City's site as of this review), which also cites a non-refundable $20.00 administrative review fee (applied toward the total once approved) and a use tax formula of half the sign's value times 2.75% — that 2.75% combined rate does not match the City's currently documented use-tax structure elsewhere in this file (Douglas County 1% + Castle Pines 3.75%, each of 50% of value), and is treated as an outdated/superseded figure on the older form rather than a currently governing rate. |
| Douglas County / Castle Pines Use Tax | 1% / 3.75% of 50% of the sign's declared value (labor and materials), respectively | Same citywide use-tax formula applied to other Castle Pines permit types in this file; not sign-specific |
Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm System Permit
VerifiedRequired for installation, modification, or replacement of automatic fire sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems in Castle Pines. Plan review, permitting, and inspection for fire protection systems are performed by South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR), which Ordinance No. 23-02/23-07 designates as the City's Fire Marshal's Office and fire code official under the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) as adopted — this is a genuinely separate permitting authority from the City's own Building Department, with its own portal and fee schedule. The City additionally has its own 2013 local requirement on residential sprinklers, distinct from SMFR's system-permitting role: mandatory in new townhouses, offer-and-decline optional in new single-family detached homes and duplexes.
Verified 2026-08-13 · Source
Requirements
- Plan review, permitting, and inspection for all fire sprinkler and fire alarm system work (new installations and modifications) is performed by South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR), not the City of Castle Pines Building Department — SMFR is designated the City's Fire Marshal's Office/fire code official under Ordinance No. 23-02/23-07 adopting the 2021 IFC
- Applications are submitted through SMFR's own Accela Permit Portal, distinct from the City's SmartGov portal used for building/electrical/plumbing/mechanical permits
- New townhouse construction in Castle Pines: an automatic residential fire sprinkler system is MANDATORY, per City law effective March 1, 2013 (confirmed still in force via a City/SMFR consumer information handout last updated July 2026)
- New single-family detached homes and duplexes: the homebuilder must OFFER the purchaser the option of a fire sprinkler system at the purchaser's cost, and the purchaser has the right to accept or decline in writing — installation is NOT mandatory for these unit types, per City law effective March 22, 2013
- Systems must be designed and installed per the applicable NFPA standard (13, 13R, or 13D, as referenced throughout SMFR's own fee schedule) and installed by a licensed plumber or sprinkler fitter
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) same-day review is available for qualifying minor work submitted to SMFR by 11:00 a.m.: emergency fire alarm control panel/dialer replacement; wet-pipe sprinkler alterations with light/ordinary hazard design and no hydraulic redesign, up to 50 heads; fire alarm device substitution/relocation up to 25 devices or addition up to 10 devices; access-control system work up to 20 access points
Required documents
- RequiredSMFR Fire Protection System Permit ApplicationSubmitted via South Metro Fire Rescue's Accela Permit Portal, not the City's SmartGov portal
- OptionalHydraulic CalculationsRequired for NFPA 13 wet-pipe system modifications with a hydraulic redesign; billed separately as SMFR's 'Hydraulic Calculation Modifier' fee line
- RequiredPlan Set Matched to IBC/CBC Occupancy Classification and Project Square FootageFor new construction/tenant-improvement fire sprinkler or alarm systems, SMFR's own fee schedule is keyed to IBC/CBC occupancy class (A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R, S, U, etc.) and project size threshold
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NFPA 13D System Modification (existing residential sprinkler system) | Plan Check $175.60 + Inspection $351.67 = Total $527.27 | South Metro Fire Rescue, Systems and Other Fees, effective 1/1/2026 |
| NFPA 13 System Modification — up to 50 heads / 51-300 heads / over 300 heads | Total $344.57 / $414.31 / $843.98 | South Metro Fire Rescue, Systems and Other Fees, effective 1/1/2026; a separate 'Hydraulic Calculation Modifier' fee (Total $786.99) applies in addition where hydraulic recalculation is required |
| Fire Alarm System (sprinkler monitoring only) | Total $434.29 | South Metro Fire Rescue, Systems and Other Fees, effective 1/1/2026 |
| Fire Alarm System Modification | Base Fee Total $461.12, plus $6.12 per additional device | South Metro Fire Rescue, Systems and Other Fees, effective 1/1/2026; Fire Alarm Control Panel Replacement is billed separately at Total $651.92 plus $6.12 per additional device |
| New Automatic Sprinkler System, NFPA 13D (new single-family home or townhouse) | Flat $110.44 (plan review) for homes up to 3,000 sq ft; $1,072.46 combined base for 6,000 sq ft plus $9.00 per additional 100 sq ft | South Metro Fire Rescue, New Construction and Tenant Improvements fee schedule, effective 1/1/2025 (a document dated later than, but published alongside, the 1/1/2026 Systems and Other Fees sheet as of this review — both were current on SMFR's site at the time of this research) |
| New Fire Alarm System (new construction/tenant improvement, by project size) | $978.65 combined base for 2,000 sq ft, plus $2.42 per additional 100 sq ft, scaling up to $6,015.02 combined base at 200,000 sq ft | South Metro Fire Rescue, New Construction and Tenant Improvements fee schedule, effective 1/1/2025 |
| Change of Use (fire-code occupancy review) | Plan Check $174.24 + Inspection $413.75 = Total $587.99 | South Metro Fire Rescue's own separate fire-code review fee for a change in occupancy classification; distinct from, and in addition to, any change-of-use review performed by the City's own Building/Planning divisions (see this file's change-of-use-permit entry) |
| Re-Inspection Fee / Release of Stop Work Order | $284.63 | — |
| Work Without a Permit or Approval | Two times the amount of the original permit fee | — |
Change of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit
VerifiedCastle Pines has no standalone 'Change of Use' checkbox on its Building Permit Application — the six Permit Type options are Over the Counter, Demolition, Residential Alteration, Commercial Alteration, New Residential, and New Commercial. Instead, the application's own governing certification language explicitly requires that 'Any change in the use or occupancy of the building or structure must be approved prior to proceeding with construction,' and a change of use is processed as a Commercial Alteration (if plan review is triggered) or an Over-the-Counter permit (if not), governed by 2021 IEBC Chapter 10 (Change of Occupancy) as locally adopted.
Verified 2026-08-13 · Source
Requirements
- Any change in the use or occupancy of a building or structure must be approved by the City prior to proceeding with construction — explicit certification language on the standard City of Castle Pines Building Permit Application, signed by the applicant
- No distinct 'Change of Use' checkbox exists among the application's six Permit Type options (Over the Counter, Demolition, Residential Alteration, Commercial Alteration, New Residential, New Commercial); a change of use is submitted under Commercial Alteration if construction or plan review is triggered, or under Over the Counter if the use change itself requires no plans
- Governed by 2021 IEBC (International Existing Building Code) Chapter 10, Change of Occupancy, as locally adopted by Ordinance No. 23-02; IEBC Section 1001.2 requires an updated Certificate of Occupancy reflecting the new use or occupancy classification
- Both Planning & Zoning and the Building Department must independently sign off — the City's Building Permit Application form carries two separate 'For Office Use Only' approval blocks, one for Planning & Zoning and one for the Building Department, each with its own signature and date-approved line
- A Zoning Verification Letter is available (and advisable before applying) to confirm the proposed new use is permitted in the property's zoning district
- If the new use changes the building's fire/life-safety occupancy classification, South Metro Fire Rescue — the City's designated fire code official — separately reviews the change under its own published 'Change of Use' fire-code review fee, distinct from and in addition to the City's own building/zoning review (see this file's fire-sprinkler-alarm-permit entry)
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Commercial Alteration or Over the Counter track)Scope of Work field must describe the use change; submitted via SmartGov online portal
- OptionalZoning Verification LetterOptional but advisable pre-application step confirming the proposed new use is allowed in the applicable zoning district
- OptionalPlan SetRequired only if the use change is bundled with construction that triggers the Commercial Alteration Plan Review Permit track (two identical scaled drawing sets, per this file's commercial-tenant-improvement entry)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Verification Letter | $55.00 | 2026 Fee Schedule (Community Development section) |
| Building Permit Fee, Plan Review Fee, Zoning Fee, and Douglas County / Castle Pines Use Tax | Same schedule as the Commercial Alteration / Tenant Improvement permit type (see this file's commercial-tenant-improvement entry) | Applies only if the use change is bundled with construction requiring a Plan Review Permit; an Over-the-Counter use change with no construction would not incur the Plan Review Fee or Zoning Fee |
| South Metro Fire Rescue Change of Use fee (fire-code occupancy review) | Plan Check $174.24 + Inspection $413.75 = Total $587.99 | Applies only if the use change alters the building's fire/life-safety occupancy classification; SMFR's own fee, separate from and in addition to the City's fees above |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-06.
Fee schedules
Applications & forms
Checklists & handouts
Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
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 Castle Pines building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.