Solar PV Permit in Crested Butte, Colorado

Crested Butte requires a solar pv permit for: Use the Town's Solar Permit Application specifically for solar-only projects; Submittal must include drawings showing solar panel locations, solar specifications including required emergency shut-off and electrical code compliance, and a structural engineer stamped letter confirming the existing roof will remain structurally sound; Per Town Code Sec. 18-9-100(3)(b), if a proposed renewable energy system used to offset outdoor energy usage (REMP) is solar in nature, the panels/collectors must be approved through the standard building permit process AND approved by the Board (BOZAR); Current Gunnison County building contractor license required; Governed by the 2023 NEC (electrical) and applicable structural provisions of the 2024 IBC/IRC. If your project isn't listed, confirm with Town of Crested Butte Building Department (Community Development Department) at (970) 349-5338 before starting work.

In Crested Butte, the published Permit Fee (valuation-based, same table as Building Permit) is: Per the 2026 Fee Schedule's Building Permit valuation tiers. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Crested Butte does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact Town of Crested Butte Building Department (Community Development Department) at (970) 349-5338 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Solar Permit Application; Structural Engineer Stamped Letter; Gunnison County Building Contractor License. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Crested Butte requires 2 inspection(s) for a solar pv permit, in order: Rough/Structural Inspection, Final Electrical / Final Building Inspection. Schedule each through Town of Crested Butte Building Department (Community Development Department) ((970) 349-5338).

Apply through Town of Crested Butte Building Department (Community Development Department) at 507 Maroon Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224 (Building Department mailing address: PO Box 39, Crested Butte, CO 81224). Phone: (970) 349-5338, email: building@crestedbutte-co.gov. Office hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Building Official Astrid Matison (ext. 116, amatison@crestedbutte-co.gov). Building Inspector Josh Staab (ext. 127, jstaab@crestedbutte-co.gov). Community Development Director Mel Yemma (ext. 119, melyemma@crestedbutte-co.gov). BOZAR/Planning questions: planning@crestedbutte-co.gov, (970) 349-5338 ext. 121.. Official information: https://townofcrestedbutte.colorado.gov/planning-permitting/community-development.

Crested Butte, Colorado has adopted: 2024 International Building Code (IBC), Chapters 1-35 without appendices — adopted by reference, Town Code Chapter 18, Article 1 (Sec. 18-1-10), pursuant to Title 31, Article 16, Part 2, C.R.S.; 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) — Town Code Chapter 18, Article 2 (Sec. 18-2-10), with extensive local amendments including an all-electric mandate and Table R301.2 climatic design data (Sec. 18-2-30); International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — Town Code Chapter 18, Article 2.5; International Green Construction Code (IgCC), selected sections — Town Code Chapter 18, Article 1.5 (Sec. 18-1.5-30), applicable to new commercial construction; 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC), including Appendix A — Town Code Chapter 18, Article 3 (Sec. 18-3-10); 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC), including Appendices C and E — Town Code Chapter 18, Article 4 (Sec. 18-4-10); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — Town Code Chapter 18, Article 5 (Sec. 18-5-10), adopted with no local amendments; 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), including Appendices B-M — Town Code Chapter 18, Article 6 (Sec. 18-6-10), enforced with Crested Butte Fire Protection District (CBFPD) coordination; 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC), 8 CCR 1507-39 — Town Code Chapter 18, Article 6.5 (Sec. 18-6.5-10), established statewide July 1, 2025; Town enforcement begins June 1, 2026 per the Town's own CWRC Summary Sheet; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), including Appendices — Town Code Chapter 18, Article 7 (Sec. 18-7-10), with local amendments requiring high-efficiency direct-vent sealed-combustion appliances only (deleting IFGC's alternative combustion-air provisions); 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), without appendices — Town Code Chapter 18, Article 9, Sec. 18-9-40; new construction is additionally required to achieve DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) certification per the Town's 2024 Building Code Information page and fact sheet, effective for permits starting January 1, 2026; Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code — referenced throughout the Town's 2024 Building Code fact sheet for EV-ready parking, solar-ready zones, and electric-ready gas-appliance provisions; Full Town Code Chapter 18 (Building Regulations) text hosted at townofcrestedbutte.colorado.gov (Town Code Chapter 18 Revised PDF, Supp. No. 22) and mirrored on library.municode.com/co/crested_butte. Local amendments apply — see the Crested Butte overview page for the full list.

If the solar system is being used to satisfy a Renewable Energy Mitigation Program (REMP) obligation for an outdoor snowmelt system, pool, hot tub, or spa, Town Code Sec. 18-9-100(3)(b) requires the panels to be approved through the standard building permit process AND approved by the Board. Solar installations more generally are exterior/visible changes in a historic district, so BOZAR review should be assumed unless confirmed otherwise with the Building Department.