Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Required for construction of new single-family homes, duplexes, townhouses, and other one- and two-family dwellings within Colorado Springs. Issued and inspected by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department under the 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code (2021 IRC base). Fees include plumbing, electrical, gas, heating, and building inspections for new one- and two-family dwellings and their accessory structures.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Plans must comply with the 2023 PPRBC (2021 IRC base) plus PPRBD's Basic Design Information criteria: snow loads (Pg 43/57 psf by elevation), wind loads (130/135/140 mph Vult by Risk Category, Exposure C), seismic (Ss 18.5%, S1 5.9%), and 30-inch minimum frost depth
- Valuation established using ICC Building Valuation Data with PPRBD Regional Modifiers: new single-family dwellings use a 0.27 modifier of $169.09/sq ft; attached garages use a 0.14 modifier of $169.09/sq ft; detached garages to an existing residence use a 0.91 modifier of $66.20/sq ft
- Site/plot plan required showing property lines, dimensions, setbacks, and all proposed and existing structures
- Applications and plans may be submitted electronically via the PPRBD web account system
- Homeowners may obtain their own permit only for work on their primary residence which they own and occupy — cannot self-permit a rental property or a home the applicant does not reside in
- One- and two-family dwellings must have a minimum Class A roof covering (Colorado Springs-specific requirement per Ordinance 23-16 / PPRBC Appendix D)
Required documents
- Req
Building Permit Application (PPRBD web account)
Online application submitted through a PPRBD web account (free or premium tiers available)
- Req
Site/Plot Plan
Complete street address, legal description, property lines and dimensions (front/side/rear yards), all existing and proposed structures
- Req
Construction Drawings
Full plan set including foundation, framing, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing details, drawn to scale
- Req
Structural / Design Criteria Documentation
Must reflect PPRBD's current Basic Design Information snow, wind, seismic, and frost-depth criteria
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (Table A) — valuation $1 to $500 | $50.00 | PPRBD Appendix B Fee Schedule (Table A), effective June 30, 2025 ICC Valuation Data — pprbd.org/Information/FeeSchedule |
| Building Permit Fee (Table A) — valuation $501 to $2,000 | $50.00 for the first $500 plus $2.00 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee (Table A) — valuation $2,001 to $25,000 | $80.00 for the first $2,000 plus $8.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee (Table A) — valuation $25,001 to $50,000 | $264.00 for the first $25,000 plus $8.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee (Table A) — valuation $50,001 to $100,000 | $464.00 for the first $50,000 plus $5.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee (Table A) — valuation $100,001 to $500,000 | $714.00 for the first $100,000 plus $4.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee (Table A) — valuation $500,001 to $1,000,000 | $2,314.00 for the first $500,000 plus $3.50 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee (Table A) — valuation $1,000,000 and more | $4,064.00 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Plan Examination Fee | 28% of the Building Permit Fee | PPRBD Appendix B, Table E item G; a $50.00 handling fee applies for each use of a 'Master Plan' for single-family dwellings |
| Valuation Basis | Higher of the ICC Building Valuation Data (with PPRBD Regional Modifiers) or applicant-submitted project cost | PPRBC Section RBC108.3 — valuation includes labor, materials, profit, design/construction activity, and electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing systems; final valuation set by the Building Official |
Review timeline
~0–0 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Colorado Springs building department
Inspection process
- 1
Foundation / Footings
Before concrete pour — footings must extend at least 30 inches below undisturbed ground surface (frost depth)
- 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 2021 IECC (with Colorado Model Electric/Solar Ready Code) compliance before drywall
- 5
Final
All work complete, ready for Certificate of Occupancy
Tips
- PPRBD's fee schedule has not increased in over 11 years, per the department's own public messaging — among the most stable fee structures in Colorado.
- The one Building Permit Fee for new one- and two-family dwellings already includes plumbing, electrical, gas, heating, and building inspections — unlike some jurisdictions that require separate trade permit fees for new residential construction.
- Regional Modifiers apply to the ICC Building Valuation Data: 0.27 of $169.09/sq ft for the dwelling, 0.14 of $169.09/sq ft for an attached garage, and 0.91 of $66.20/sq ft for a detached garage to an existing residence.
- Use PPRBD's online Fee Calculator (pprbd.org/Information/FeeCalculator) for a project-specific estimate before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- Who issues building permits in Colorado Springs?
- Colorado Springs has no separate city building department. All building permits, plan review, and inspections are handled by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD), a regional authority created by a 1966 Inter-Governmental Agreement between El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs.
- What building code edition does Colorado Springs use?
- Colorado Springs enforces the 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code (PPRBC), adopted by City Ordinance 23-16, which incorporates the 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IPC, 2023 NEC, and 2021 IECC (with the Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code) by reference.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- Pikes Peak Regional Building Department — official building department
- PPRBD Fee Schedule (Appendix B, effective June 30, 2025 ICC Valuation Data)
- PPRBD Basic Design Information (snow/wind/seismic criteria, updated 06/30/2026)
- PPRBD Code Changes / Currently Adopted Codes
- City of Colorado Springs Ordinance No. 23-16 — Adoption of the 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code
- PPRBD Homeowner Permits
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 Colorado Springs building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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