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This is PermitBase’s published record for Rifle 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 It has since been superseded — see the current record.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.

Rifle building permits

Verified

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

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Codes adopted

2015 International Codes (I-Codes), as locally amended — confirmed directly on the City's Building Department page ('The City of Rifle is under the 2015 International Codes')2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — Energy Zone 52003 ANSI A117.1 (Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities)Full Charter and Municipal Code, Chapter 18 (Building Regulations) hosted at library.municode.com/co/rifle — the live Municode page returned an access-restricted/JS-rendered response during this extraction and could not be independently re-verified for the specific adoption-ordinance number and full local-amendment text beyond what the City's own Building Department page and permit application forms directly state; treat Chapter 18 citation as the governing local code chapter by name only, not as a verbatim-quoted source in this fileDesign criteria (Table R301.2(1)-equivalent, per the City's own Building Department page): Roof (snow) live load 40 psf; Ground snow load 47 psf; Basic wind speed 120 mph (Ultimate); Seismic Design Category C; Weathering Severe; Frost line depth 36 inches; Termite Slight/moderate; Decay Slight; Winter design temperature -2°F; Ice shield underlayment Required; Flood Hazard Yes (FIRM effective 10-15-85); Air freezing index 2,500; Mean annual temperature 48°F

Permit types & fees

Residential Building Permit (New Construction)

Verified

Required for construction of a new home or a new addition to a home within Rifle city limits. Reviewed under the City's adopted 2015 International Codes, 2009 IECC (Energy Zone 5), and 2003 ANSI A117.1, plus the City's own snow/wind/seismic/frost design criteria. Electrical work is permitted and inspected separately by the State of Colorado (DORA State Electrical Board), not the City; plumbing and mechanical scope is bundled into this single building permit.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • A complete set of plans, as listed on the permit application, is required; plans will not be reviewed until minimum plan submittal requirements are met
  • The Senior Planner and Building Official must approve the plans and the setbacks for new construction and additions
  • A site plan must be submitted to Planning prior to or together with the building permit application for any new structure
  • Design criteria per the City's own published table: 40 psf roof snow live load, 47 psf ground snow load, 120 mph ultimate basic wind speed, Seismic Design Category C, 36-inch frost line depth, -2°F winter design temperature
  • Electrical work is NOT included in this City building permit — it is permitted and inspected exclusively by the State of Colorado (DORA State Electrical Board); electrical permit applications are available from the Building Department but must be submitted to the State
  • Plumbing and mechanical permits and their fees are paid at the time of issuance of the building permit — these are not separate standalone applications in Rifle
  • A $500 non-refundable deposit is required for residential new construction, applied toward the plan-review/building-permit fee at issuance
  • Use tax of 4.25% on construction materials (valuation divided by 2, then multiplied by 4.25%) must be paid at permit issuance; no Certificate of Occupancy issues until use tax is paid
  • A Foundation Location Certificate is required at foundation completion, before any further construction proceeds
  • All contractors performing work must hold a current City of Rifle contractor license, obtained via Cloudpermit
  • Applications submitted online via Cloudpermit (us.cloudpermit.com/gov)
  • Minimum plan submittal checklist includes (non-exhaustive): engineered foundation plan, heating calculations, soils report, site plan (existing/proposed structures, paved surfaces, refuse areas, drainage, easements, property-line distances, legal description), front elevation with height, energy plans, floor plans for each floor (heating/water heater location, room sizes/uses, window/door locations and sizes, egress-compliant bedrooms, plumbing fixture locations, smoke detector locations, attic/crawl space access), means of egress and stairway details, framing/truss/joist specifications, water and sewer utility connection locations

Required documents

  • RequiredResidential Building Permit Application (Cloudpermit)Submitted online via the City's Cloudpermit portal
  • RequiredComplete Plan Set (3 copies plus digital copy)Architectural/structural/site plans per the minimum plan submittal checklist on the application form
  • RequiredSite PlanSubmitted to Planning prior to or with the building permit application for new structures; must show structure locations/dimensions, paved surfaces, refuse areas, drainage plan, easements, property-line distances, and legal description
  • RequiredSoils ReportListed on the minimum plan submittal checklist
  • RequiredEnergy PlansRequired per the minimum plan submittal checklist, consistent with the adopted 2009 IECC

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Building Permit Fee — valuation $1.00 to $500.00$23.50Building Permit Fee Worksheet, City of Rifle Building Department
Building Permit Fee — valuation $500.01 to $2,000.00$23.50 for the first $2,000.00 plus $3.05 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000.00
Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,000.01 to $25,000.00$69.25 for the first $2,000.00 plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to $25,000.00
Building Permit Fee — valuation $25,000.01 to $50,000.00$391.25 for the first $25,000.00 plus $10.10 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to $50,000.00
Building Permit Fee — valuation $50,000.01 to $100,000.00$643.75 for the first $50,000.00 plus $7.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to $100,000.00
Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,000.01 to $500,000.00$993.75 for the first $100,000.00 plus $5.60 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to $500,000.00
Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,000.01 to $1,000,000.00$3,233.75 for the first $500,000.00 plus $4.75 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to $1,000,000.00
Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,000,000.01 and up$5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000.00 plus $3.15 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof
Use Tax4.25% of (project valuation ÷ 2)Paid at permit issuance; no Certificate of Occupancy until paid
Application Deposit (residential new construction)$500.00, non-refundableApplied toward the plan-review/permit fee at issuance, per the Fee Schedules page and the Building Permit Application form
Parkland Dedication Fee (new residential unit)$4,120.36 per unit (escalates 5% every January 1)Single Family Residential Fee Schedule 2026, RMC 16-1-90(d)(3); applies to new buildings, verify against subdivision/annexation agreements
Offsite Street Impact Fee (new residential unit)$6,995.95 per unit (escalates 3% every January 1)Single Family Residential Fee Schedule 2026, RMC 16-1-100 / RMC 13-6-10 et seq.
Water Rights Dedication Fee$450.00 per EQRSingle Family Residential Fee Schedule 2026, RMC 13-6-10 et seq.
Water System Improvement Fee$6,857.44 per EQR (escalates 3% every January 1)Ordinance 7, Series of 2021; RMC 13-4-70
Sewer System Improvement Fee$6,754.75 per EQR (escalates 3% every January 1)Ordinance 7, Series of 2021; RMC 3-4-10

Residential Remodel Permit

Verified

Required for residential remodel work within Rifle city limits, including demolition, new walls (structural or not), heating, plumbing, decks (including covered/elevated decks), re-roofs, fences, water heaters, furnaces, AC/swamp coolers, fireplaces, wood stoves, and gas fireplaces. Reviewed under the City's adopted 2015 International Codes as locally amended.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Permits are required for, at minimum: demolition; new walls (structural or not); heating; plumbing; decks (including covered and elevated decks); re-roofs; fences; hot water heaters; furnaces; AC/swamp coolers; fireplaces, wood stoves, and gas fireplaces; solar panels; ADUs; and commercial sprinkler systems, per the Residential Information page
  • A complete, code-compliant plan/scope description is required as listed on the Residential Remodel Application
  • Electrical work is NOT included in this City permit — apply directly to the State of Colorado (DORA State Electrical Board)
  • Plumbing and mechanical work is bundled into this permit; fees for both are paid at issuance
  • Applications submitted online via Cloudpermit
  • Contact the Building Department (970-665-6461) with questions about whether a specific project requires a permit

Required documents

  • RequiredResidential Remodel Application (Cloudpermit)Submitted online via the City's Cloudpermit portal

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based table as new construction)$23.50 minimum, scaling per the City's Building Permit Fee Worksheet valuation tiersBuilding Permit Fee Worksheet, City of Rifle Building Department
Use Tax4.25% of (project valuation ÷ 2)Paid at permit issuance

Electrical Permit (Issued by the State of Colorado, Not the City)

Verified

All electrical permits within Rifle are obtained from the Colorado State Electrical Board (Division of Professions and Occupations, DORA), not the City of Rifle. This is stated directly and verbatim on the City's own Non-Residential Building Permit Application: 'Electrical permits are obtained from the State Electrical Board. Applications are available from the Building Department.'

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Apply for the electrical permit directly with the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA), State Electrical Board — not the City of Rifle
  • Electrical permit application forms are available from the City's Building Department even though the City itself does not process or issue the permit
  • Electrical valuation should still be identified/tracked as part of overall project scope even though the City does not permit the electrical work itself

Required documents

  • RequiredState of Colorado Electrical Permit (DORA / State Electrical Board)Obtained directly from the State, not the City; application forms available from the City's Building Department

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
State of Colorado electrical permit feesSet by the State of Colorado (DORA State Electrical Board), not the City of RifleNot within this file's scope — confirm current state fee schedule directly with DORA (dpo.colorado.gov/Electrical)

Plumbing Permit (Bundled with Building Permit)

Verified

Plumbing work in Rifle is permitted through the same building permit application as the overall project, not a separate standalone plumbing permit. The City's own Non-Residential Building Permit Application states directly: 'Plumbing and mechanical permits, as well as all fees, are paid for at the time of issuance of the Building Permit.'

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Plumbing scope is included in the building permit application — there is no separate standalone plumbing permit application in Rifle, unlike some other jurisdictions in this corpus
  • Plumbing permit fees are paid together with the building permit fee at the time of building permit issuance
  • Plumbing work must comply with the City's adopted code edition (2015 International Codes, which includes the International Plumbing Code by reference) as locally amended
  • Contractors performing plumbing work must hold a current City of Rifle contractor license (via Cloudpermit)

Required documents

  • RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Cloudpermit) — plumbing scope includedPlumbing work is described within the overall building permit application; no separate plumbing-specific form exists

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Plumbing permit feeIncluded within, and paid together with, the overall Building Permit Fee at issuancePer the City's own Non-Residential Building Permit Application: 'Plumbing and mechanical permits, as well as all fees, are paid for at the time of issuance of the Building Permit'

Mechanical / HVAC Permit (Bundled with Building Permit)

Verified

Mechanical/HVAC work (heating, furnaces, AC/swamp coolers, fireplaces, wood stoves, gas fireplaces) in Rifle is permitted through the same building permit application as the overall project, consistent with the City's stated process: 'Plumbing and mechanical permits, as well as all fees, are paid for at the time of issuance of the Building Permit.'

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Heating, furnace, AC/swamp cooler, fireplace, wood stove, and gas fireplace work all require a permit per the Residential Information page's explicit list
  • Mechanical scope is included in the building permit application — there is no separate standalone mechanical permit application in Rifle
  • Mechanical permit fees are paid together with the building permit fee at the time of building permit issuance
  • Work must comply with the City's adopted 2015 International Codes (which includes the International Mechanical Code by reference) as locally amended

Required documents

  • RequiredBuilding Permit / Residential Remodel Application (Cloudpermit) — mechanical scope includedMechanical work is described within the overall permit application; no separate mechanical-specific form exists

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Mechanical permit feeIncluded within, and paid together with, the overall Building Permit Fee at issuancePer the City's own Non-Residential Building Permit Application: 'Plumbing and mechanical permits, as well as all fees, are paid for at the time of issuance of the Building Permit'

Roofing Permit (Re-Roofing)

Verified

A permit is required for re-roofing within Rifle city limits, per the City's own Residential Information page, which explicitly lists 're-roofs' among the work types requiring a residential permit. Reviewed under the City's adopted 2015 International Codes.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Re-roofing is explicitly listed as requiring a permit on the City's Residential Information page
  • Applications submitted online via Cloudpermit
  • Work must comply with the City's adopted 2015 International Residential Code roofing provisions and the City's published snow-load design criteria (40 psf roof live load, 47 psf ground snow load)

Required documents

  • RequiredResidential Remodel Application (Cloudpermit)Re-roofing is submitted under the general residential remodel permit application

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Building Permit Fee (valuation-based table)$23.50 minimum, scaling per the City's Building Permit Fee Worksheet valuation tiersThe City's fee schedule materials do not carry a distinct flat re-roofing fee tier (unlike some other jurisdictions in this corpus) — re-roofing is fee'd via the same general valuation-based Building Permit Fee Worksheet

Fence Permit

Verified

A permit is required to install a fence within Rifle city limits, per the City's own Residential Information page, which explicitly lists 'fences' among the work types requiring a residential permit.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • Fences are explicitly listed as requiring a permit on the City's Residential Information page
  • Applications submitted online via Cloudpermit
  • Contact the Building Department (970-665-6461) to confirm any height, setback, or zoning-specific limitations that may apply beyond the building-permit requirement itself — this file could not independently locate a published fence-height/zoning threshold document during this extraction

Required documents

  • RequiredResidential Remodel Application (Cloudpermit)Fences are submitted under the general residential remodel permit application

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Building Permit Fee (valuation-based table)$23.50 minimum, scaling per the City's Building Permit Fee Worksheet valuation tiersNo distinct flat fence-permit fee tier was found published; fences appear to be fee'd via the same general valuation-based worksheet

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit

Verified

A permit is required for ADU construction within Rifle city limits, per the City's own Residential Information page, which explicitly lists 'ADU's' among the work types requiring a residential permit. This file could not independently locate Rifle's specific ADU zoning standards (size caps, setback, parking, or design requirements) during this extraction beyond the building-permit requirement itself.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

Requirements

  • ADUs are explicitly listed as requiring a permit on the City's Residential Information page
  • Applications submitted online via Cloudpermit
  • Contact the Building Department (970-665-6461) or Community Development for ADU-specific zoning standards (size, setback, parking, design) — this file could not confirm a published ADU-specific zoning ordinance section during this extraction and does not want to invent size/setback figures not directly sourced

Required documents

  • RequiredResidential Remodel Application / Building Permit Application (Cloudpermit)ADU construction is submitted through the general building/remodel permit application; a separate zoning/land-use review may also apply and should be confirmed with Community Development

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Building Permit Fee (valuation-based table)$23.50 minimum, scaling per the City's Building Permit Fee Worksheet valuation tiersNo ADU-specific flat fee was found published; confirm with Community Development whether any separate land-use application fee also applies

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 Rifle 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/garfield-county/rifle/as-of/2026-07-06/

Snapshot date: 2026-07-06

Commit: 44c4bfb

Reproducible from PermitBase’s version-controlled dataset, commit 44c4bfb.