You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-07-07.
Cañon City building permits
VerifiedCañon City, Colorado — as published 2026-07-07.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Codes adopted
2018 International Building Code (IBC) — City of Cañon City Building Department page, confirmed still the currently adopted edition as of this review (effective date of the 2018 Code adoption: January 1, 2021, per the City's own '2018 International Codes' page; adopted December 2020)2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — City's own '2018 Energy Code Requirements' handout describes IRC Chapter 11 (N1101-N1106) compliance paths (Prescriptive, Simulated Performance, Energy Rating Index) for Climate Zone 5, effective January 1, 20212018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC)2018 International Residential Code (IRC)2018 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code (ISPSC)2018 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)Climatic & Geographic Design Criteria for Cañon City, CO under the 2018 IRC and 2018 IBC (PDF, revised June 22, 2026): Ground Snow Load 30 psf; Wind Speed 100 mph (Risk Category II per the Residential Design Criteria table; the Commercial Design Criteria section of the same document separately states basic design wind speeds of VULT=115 mph/VASD=90 mph for Risk Category I, VULT=126 mph/VASD=100 mph for Risk Category II, and VULT=139 mph/VASD=110 mph for Risk Category III or IV — both the Residential and Commercial tables appear on the same official document without an explicit reconciliation note, so both are reported here as published); Seismic Design Category B; Frost line depth 27 inches; Weathering: Severe; Termite: Slight to Moderate; Ice Barrier Underlayment: Not Required; Flood Hazards per FEMA Flood Maps / Cañon City Municipal Code (CCMC) Title 21; Commercial ground snow load 30 psf (ASCE 7-16, increased by importance factor 1.10 for Risk Category III / 1.20 for Risk Category IV)Flood hazard areas established per 'The Flood Insurance Study for Fremont County, Colorado and incorporated areas,' dated July 3, 2012, as amended, with the accompanying FIRM and FBFM maps, adopted by reference (IBC Section 1612.3, per the Climatic & Geographic Design Criteria document)
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Construction)
VerifiedRequired for new single-family residential construction within Cañon City limits. Reviewed under the 2018 IRC/IBC as locally adopted, plus the City's own Climatic & Geographic Design Criteria (snow, wind, seismic, frost depth). Issued by the City of Cañon City Building Department; electrical and plumbing work on the project is permitted separately through the State of Colorado (DORA), not the City.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Plans must comply with the 2018 IRC/IBC as adopted (effective January 1, 2021) and the City's Climatic & Geographic Design Criteria: Ground Snow Load 30 psf, Wind Speed 100 mph, Seismic Design Category B, Frost line depth 27 inches
- Submittal Checklist, completed Building Permit Application, and Required Approvals Routing Sheet approvals (Public Works, Planning & Zoning at minimum; County Health Dept. and Water Dept. for commercial only)
- Copy of Warranty Deed, Title Commitment, or other documentation showing property ownership, including easement information
- Improvement Location Certificate or Surveyed Site Plan, prepared and stamped by a Colorado-licensed surveyor; property must be pinned by a Colorado-licensed surveyor with setbacks verified in the field prior to the first inspection
- Water Tap Application/Proof of Water (paid receipt from Cañon City or Park Center Water District) submitted prior to applying for the building permit
- Proof of Sewer or Septic (paid receipt from Fremont Sanitation District, or septic reviewed/approved by Fremont County)
- Site (plot) plan drawn to legible scale showing orientation, legal description, lot lines/size, adjacent streets, easements/setbacks, utilities, existing/proposed structures, drainage plan, sidewalks, driveways, and top-of-foundation elevation
- Plans prepared and stamped by a Colorado-licensed architect or engineer on each sheet, addenda/revisions, and specification cover/title pages
- Floor plan, floor framing plan, elevation drawings, roof framing plan, and structural detail drawings per the Residential Building Permit Packet's Submittal Checklist
- Engineered Foundation required on all new structures except one-story detached garages not exceeding 800 sq ft (not in the Special Flood Hazard Area); foundation plans require a site-specific soils investigation & lab analysis report by a Colorado-licensed professional engineer
- Mechanical Permit Application and Mechanical Plan (equipment locations, BTU input/output, vent sizing, combustion air calculations, ACCA Manual J/D/S) submitted alongside the building permit
- Energy Code compliance per 2018 IRC Chapter 11 (Prescriptive, Simulated Performance, or Energy Rating Index path), including required blower-door air-leakage testing (3 ACH for Climate Zone 5) before final Certificate of Occupancy and a permanent energy certificate posted before final inspection
- Floodplain Development Permit required if the structure is in the Special Flood Hazard Area, completed by a Colorado-licensed professional engineer and reviewed by the City Engineer
- Contractors must hold a current City of Cañon City Contractor License in addition to any state trade licensing
- All permits submitted through the City's Online Services Portal
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Online Services Portal)Submitted through the City's online portal; owner/contractor information, parcel number, legal description, and valuation of work required
- RequiredSubmittal ChecklistCompleted checklist accompanying the application, per the Residential Building Permit Packet
- RequiredRequired Approvals Routing SheetApplicant secures sign-off from Public Works, Planning & Zoning, and (commercial only) County Health Dept. and Water Dept.
- RequiredSite (Plot) PlanDrawn to scale, showing structures, setbacks, utilities, drainage, and top-of-foundation elevation
- RequiredImprovement Location Certificate or Surveyed Site PlanPrepared and stamped by a Colorado-licensed surveyor
- RequiredFull Construction Drawing SetFloor plan, floor framing plan, elevations, roof framing plan, and structural details, per the Submittal Checklist
- RequiredWater Tap Application / Proof of WaterPaid receipt from Cañon City or Park Center Water District, submitted prior to the building permit application
- RequiredProof of Sewer or SepticPaid receipt from Fremont Sanitation District, or Fremont County septic approval
- RequiredMechanical Permit ApplicationSubmitted alongside the building permit for HVAC/mechanical scope
- OptionalFloodplain Development PermitRequired only if the structure is within the Special Flood Hazard Area
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | 1.0% of valuation (City of Cañon City Permit Fee Multiplier) | Resolution No. 20, Series of 2024. Valuation determined either by the ICC Building Valuation Data (BVD) table (Feb. 2026 edition) applied as Gross Area x Square Foot Construction Cost, or by actual Construction Contract value. City's own worked example: 2,000 sq ft finished area + 1,000 sq ft unfinished basement + 800 sq ft garage (Group R-3, Type VB) = $440,196 total valuation x 1.0% = $4,401.96 building permit fee |
| Mechanical Fee | $30.00 flat for valuation not more than $2,000; $30.00 plus $10.00 per each additional $1,000 (or fraction thereof) for valuation over $2,000 | Effective 01/01/2021; charged in addition to the 1.0% building permit fee. City's worked example totals $110.00 mechanical fee on the $440,196 example project |
| Fire Impact Fee | Not published as a specific residential dollar figure by either the City or the Cañon City Area Fire Protection District as of this review | Collected by the City/County at building-permit issuance per the District's own Impact Fees page; the District's 2020 Inspection/Plan Review Fee Schedule explicitly states 'Impact Fee May Apply And Is Not Included In This Fee Schedule' — genuinely unresolved, contact the Fire District at 719-275-8666 for current amount |
| Electrical Permit | Set and collected by the State of Colorado (DORA), not the City | City's Building Permit Fees page links directly to colorado.gov/dora/boards_programs, which as of 2026-07-16 302-redirects only to the DORA homepage (dora.colorado.gov), not a working deep link. The state page confirming DORA purchases/collects electrical permit fees directly (not the City) is dpo.colorado.gov/ElectricalPlumbingPermits, content-verified this review. |
| Plumbing Permit | Set and collected by the State of Colorado (DORA), not the City | City's Building Permit Fees page links directly to colorado.gov/dora/boards_programs, which as of 2026-07-16 302-redirects only to the DORA homepage (dora.colorado.gov), not a working deep link. The state page confirming DORA purchases/collects plumbing permit fees directly (not the City) is dpo.colorado.gov/ElectricalPlumbingPermits, content-verified this review. |
| Storm Water Impact Fee | Not itemized as a flat figure on the Building Permit Fees page | Per City Public Works Department; the City's separate Stormwater Utility Fee (a recurring monthly charge, not a one-time impact fee) is $0.005293 per square foot of impervious surface as of January 1, 2024, per the City's own Stormwater FAQ — that recurring rate should not be confused with a one-time building-permit impact fee, which is not separately itemized |
Residential Addition / Remodel / Basement Finish Permit
VerifiedRequired for additions, remodels, and basement finishes to existing residential buildings in Cañon City, per the City's own 'What requires a permit?' FAQ. Reviewed under the 2018 IRC as locally adopted.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for: converting a garage into living space, building a detached garage, finishing a basement, remodeling a house, and replacing/going over old drywall with new drywall, per the City's own FAQ
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work alone do NOT require a permit
- Residential Alterations Packet requires: Building Permit Application, asbestos report (if applicable), floor layout of all renovation per room (framing, insulation, drywall details), and stamped engineering documentation if removing any walls
- Residential Basement Packet requires: Building Permit Application, Mechanical Permit Application (only if needed), and floor layout of all rooms including dimensions/square footage per room
- A pre-application meeting is NOT required for single-family, duplex, or tri-plex building permits (unlike other land-use applications)
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Online Services Portal)Submitted online
- RequiredFloor Layout / Framing DetailsPer-room layout showing framing, insulation, drywall, and dimensions
- OptionalAsbestos ReportRequired if applicable to the renovation scope, per CDPHE regulations
- OptionalStamped Engineering DocumentationRequired if the project removes any walls
- OptionalMechanical Permit ApplicationRequired for basement finishes only if mechanical/HVAC work is involved
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same 1.0%-of-valuation formula as new construction) | 1.0% of valuation, minimum per BVD or actual contract cost | Resolution No. 20, Series of 2024 |
| Mechanical Fee (if applicable) | $30.00 flat for valuation not more than $2,000; $30.00 plus $10.00 per each additional $1,000 over $2,000 | Effective 01/01/2021 |
Electrical Permit (State of Colorado Program)
VerifiedElectrical permits and inspections in Cañon City are issued and scheduled by the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) — NOT by the City of Cañon City Building Department. Confirmed directly on the City's own Building Department page ('Electrical and Plumbing permits and inspections are issued and scheduled by the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)') and the Building Permit Fees page, which links the 'Electrical Permit' line item directly to DORA.
Verified 2026-07-16 · Source
Requirements
- Apply directly through the State of Colorado DORA Division of Professions and Occupations electrical program, not the City
- The City's own FAQ ('Do we need a permit for electrical or plumbing?') states: 'Code requirements for electric and plumbing are maintained by the State of Colorado'
- Electrical contractors must hold current Colorado Electrical Board (DORA) licensure
Required documents
- RequiredState of Colorado DORA Electrical Permit ApplicationSubmitted directly to the State, not the City of Cañon City
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit Fee | Set by the State of Colorado (DORA), not the City | City's Building Permit Fees page links directly to colorado.gov/dora/boards_programs; no City-collected fee applies to this trade. NOTE (2026-07-16): that colorado.gov/dora/boards_programs URL now 302-redirects only to the DORA homepage (dora.colorado.gov), not a working deep link. Re-verified live via dpo.colorado.gov/Electrical (Colorado State Electrical Board — licensing) and dpo.colorado.gov/ElectricalPlumbingPermits ('Colorado Electrical and Plumbing Permits Homepage,' which states permits are purchased directly through the DPO Online Permitting System, confirming DORA — not the City — issues and collects electrical permits). |
Plumbing Permit (State of Colorado Program)
VerifiedPlumbing permits and inspections in Cañon City are issued and scheduled by the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) — NOT by the City of Cañon City Building Department. Confirmed directly on the City's own Building Department page and Building Permit Fees page, which links the 'Plumbing Permit' line item directly to DORA.
Verified 2026-07-16 · Source
Requirements
- Apply directly through the State of Colorado DORA Division of Professions and Occupations plumbing program, not the City
- The City's own FAQ states: 'Code requirements for electric and plumbing are maintained by the State of Colorado'
- Plumbing contractors must hold current Colorado Plumbing Board (DORA) licensure
Required documents
- RequiredState of Colorado DORA Plumbing Permit ApplicationSubmitted directly to the State, not the City of Cañon City
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Permit Fee | Set by the State of Colorado (DORA), not the City | City's Building Permit Fees page links directly to colorado.gov/dora/boards_programs; no City-collected fee applies to this trade. NOTE (2026-07-16): that colorado.gov/dora/boards_programs URL now 302-redirects only to the DORA homepage (dora.colorado.gov), not a working deep link. Re-verified live via dpo.colorado.gov/Plumbing (Colorado State Plumbing Board — licensing) and dpo.colorado.gov/ElectricalPlumbingPermits ('Colorado Electrical and Plumbing Permits Homepage,' which states permits are purchased directly through the DPO Online Permitting System, confirming DORA — not the City — issues and collects plumbing permits). |
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
VerifiedRequired for addition, replacement, or repair of mechanical (HVAC, furnace, wood/pellet stove) systems in Cañon City, per the City's own 'What requires a permit?' FAQ. Governed by the 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) as locally adopted. Issued by the City of Cañon City Building Department (unlike electrical/plumbing, mechanical permits ARE issued by the City, not the State).
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for: furnaces (new and replacement), wood-burning stoves and pellet stoves, A/C and mini-splits, per the City's own FAQ
- Mechanical Permit Application must show location of mechanical equipment, BTU input/output of all appliances, vent size and calculations, combustion air opening sizes/calculations, and ACCA Manual J/D/S per the Energy Code
- Governed by the 2018 IMC and 2018 IFGC as adopted
Required documents
- RequiredMechanical Permit Application (Online Services Portal)Submitted online; includes owner/contractor info, valuation of work, and permit fee calculated per the Mechanical Fee Schedule
- RequiredMechanical PlanEquipment locations, BTU input/output, vent sizing/calculations, combustion air calculations, ACCA Manual J/D/S
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Fee | $30.00 flat for valuation not more than $2,000; $30.00 plus $10.00 per each additional $1,000 (or fraction thereof) for valuation over $2,000 | Effective 01/01/2021, per the Mechanical Fee Schedule attached to the Mechanical Permit Application |
Roofing Permit (Re-Roofing)
VerifiedRequired for new and replacement roofing on residential structures in Cañon City, per the City's own 'What requires a permit?' FAQ. The City's fee resolution (Resolution No. 20, Series of 2024) specifically names re-roofing as a project type valued via good-faith applicant estimate when no BVD average cost applies.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for roofing (new and replacement), per the City's own FAQ
- Per Resolution No. 20, Series of 2024, Section 5: where no average construction cost is shown on the BVD table for a given project type (the resolution specifically names re-roofing of existing structures as an example), the building permit fee is calculated on a good-faith estimate of actual construction cost approved by the Building Official, times the applicable Permit Fee Multiplier (1.0%)
- Contact the Building Department for specific fire-resistance, high-wind, or ice-and-snow application requirements that may apply locally
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Online Services Portal)Submitted online with a good-faith construction cost estimate for the re-roofing scope
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (good-faith estimate basis) | 1.0% of the Building-Official-approved good-faith estimated construction cost | Resolution No. 20, Series of 2024, Section 5 — re-roofing is one of the resolution's own named examples of a project type without a BVD-table average cost, requiring the good-faith-estimate method |
Solar PV Permit
VerifiedRequired for solar panel installations in Cañon City. The City's own Solar Application packet requires an engineered letter confirming roof load capacity plus fire-setback drawings. Electrical interconnection work is separately permitted through the State of Colorado (DORA), not the City.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Building Permit Application required for the physical solar installation
- Engineered letter confirming the roof will carry the additional weight (site-specific)
- Solar panel drawings showing fire setback pathways
- Copy of the installation contract
- Electrical interconnection work is separately permitted and inspected by the State of Colorado (DORA), not the City, consistent with the City's general electrical-permit routing
Required documents
- RequiredSolar Permit Application / Building Permit Application (Online Services Portal)Per the City's Solar Packet
- RequiredEngineered Roof-Load LetterSite-specific letter confirming the roof structure can carry the additional solar panel weight
- RequiredSolar Panel Drawings with Fire Setback PathwaysShows required fire-access pathways per the panel layout
- RequiredCopy of Installation ContractRequired per the City's Solar Packet
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (valuation-based) | 1.0% of valuation (BVD table or actual contract cost) | Resolution No. 20, Series of 2024; no solar-specific flat fee is published |
Demolition Permit
VerifiedRequired for demolition of structures in Cañon City, per the City's own 'What requires a permit?' FAQ. State and federal asbestos regulations (administered by CDPHE) apply to any renovation or demolition project regardless of building age.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for demolition, per the City's own FAQ
- Demolition Application packet requires: Building Permit Application, asbestos report, final CDPHE abatement approval (if abatement was performed), and State CDPHE approval for demolition
- Per CDPHE's 'Building Renovation and Demolition' guidance: the structure must be inspected for asbestos by a Colorado-certified asbestos inspector before any demolition, destructive salvage, de-construction, or house-moving activity, even when there is NO asbestos present
- A written Notification of Demolition Form must be submitted to CDPHE, with a notification fee and a mandatory ten (10) working-day waiting period, before demolition may proceed, regardless of whether asbestos was found
- Asbestos-containing material exceeding trigger levels (single-family residential: 50 linear ft on pipes, 32 sq ft on other surfaces, or a 55-gallon-drum volume equivalent) must be removed by a certified General Abatement Contractor before disturbance
Required documents
- RequiredDemolition Permit Application (Online Services Portal)City's Demolition Application packet
- RequiredAsbestos Inspection ReportBy a Colorado-certified asbestos inspector
- RequiredState CDPHE Approval for DemolitionNotification of Demolition Form submitted to CDPHE, with fee and 10-working-day waiting period
- OptionalFinal CDPHE Abatement ApprovalRequired only if asbestos abatement was performed
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (demolition scope) | Not published as a standalone flat fee on the Building Permit Fees page or Demolition Packet as of this review | Checked the Building Permit Fees page, Resolution No. 20, and the Demolition Packet directly — demolition is not broken out as its own line item; likely calculated per the general 1.0%-of-valuation / good-faith-estimate formula, but this is not stated explicitly for demolition scope; contact the Building Department (719-276-5253) to confirm |
Fence / Retaining Wall Permit
VerifiedRequired for new and replacement fences in Cañon City, per the City's own 'What requires a permit?' FAQ, subject to specific height/setback rules under Chapter 17.20.080 of the Zoning Regulations. Retaining walls over 4 feet in height (footing bottom to wall top) also require a permit; shorter walls are exempt unless supporting a surcharge.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for fences (new and replacement), per the City's own FAQ
- Fence height limits (Chapter 17.20.080): up to 6 ft along sides/rear up to the front setback line; up to 48 inches (must be at least 50% open) along sides/front within the front setback; vision clearance along streets must be maintained
- Barbed wire and electric fences are NOT allowed in residential zone districts
- Fences erected for public safety, health, and welfare purposes must be reviewed and approved by the City Engineer and City Administrator
- Retaining walls NOT over 4 feet in height (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) do NOT require a permit, UNLESS supporting a surcharge
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Online Services Portal)Submitted online for the fence/wall scope
- RequiredSite PlanShowing fence/wall location relative to property lines and setbacks
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (valuation-based) | 1.0% of valuation, per Resolution No. 20, Series of 2024 | No fence/wall-specific flat fee is published; likely calculated via the good-faith-estimate method given fences are unlikely to have a BVD-table average cost — not explicitly confirmed for this permit type |
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
VerifiedCañon City does not publish a standalone EV-charger/EVSE permit type. Installing electric vehicle charging equipment (e.g., a Level 2 charger circuit) is electrical work, and per the City's own Building Department and Building Permit Fees pages, ALL electrical permits and inspections in Cañon City — including EV charger circuits — are issued and scheduled by the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), not the City, consistent with the City's general electrical-permit routing documented under this file's separate 'electrical-permit' entry. Colorado's HB24-1173 (Electric Vehicle Charging System Permits Act, effective August 7, 2024) required municipalities with population 10,000+ (Cañon City's 2024 Census estimate is approximately 17,100-17,200, over this threshold) to take one of three compliance actions by December 31, 2025: adopt the Colorado Energy Office's EV Charging Model Land Use Code, adopt a custom standardized/objective permitting process, or adopt an ordinance opting out and retaining existing codes. As of this review, no Cañon City ordinance, Building Department page, or fee schedule references HB24-1173 compliance, a distinct EV-charging permit process, or an opt-out resolution — checked the Building Department, Building Permit Fees, Application Forms, and FAQ pages directly.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- EV charger circuit installation (Level 2 or higher) is electrical work; apply directly through the State of Colorado DORA electrical program, not the City of Cañon City, per the City's general electrical-permit routing
- Simple Level 1 (120V, plug-in) charger use on an existing receptacle typically does not require a separate electrical permit under standard NEC practice; a new dedicated circuit or panel upgrade does
- No City-level or DORA-published EV-charger-specific application, checklist, or fee line item was found as of this review; the general State electrical permit application/process applies
- Electrical contractors must hold current Colorado Electrical Board (DORA) licensure
Required documents
- RequiredState of Colorado DORA Electrical Permit ApplicationSame general electrical permit application used for any new branch circuit or electrical alteration; submitted directly to the State, not the City of Cañon City
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit Fee (general, no distinct EV-charger line item) | Set by the State of Colorado (DORA), not the City | Neither the City's Building Permit Fees page nor DORA's Electrical and Plumbing Permits Homepage publishes a standalone EV-charger/EVSE fee; an EV charger circuit is billed under DORA's general electrical permit fee structure. Contact DORA (303-894-7800) or use the DPO Online Permitting System for the current amount for a specific project. |
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 Cañon City building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.