Commercial Tenant Improvement / Tenant Finish Permit in Arvada, Colorado
Required for build-out, remodel, or change-of-use work inside an existing commercial space in Arvada, processed under the 'New Commercial Buildings, Commercial Additions & Multi-Family' permitting program. Some occupancy changes without construction may still require a permit or review to establish a proper Certificate of Occupancy.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Commercial permits are issued only to Licensed Contractors — all subcontractors must be listed at application or the permit is placed on hold
- Plan sets are reviewed on a sliding scale based on sheet count: 1-100 sheets follows an 8-week (40 business day) total review cycle; 100+ sheets follows a 14-week (70 business day) cycle, each split across staff code-compliance review, customer corrections, and a second staff review round
- A Certificate of Occupancy is required before occupancy of tenant-finished space, and landscape inspections (where applicable) must be completed first
- If your project is still in the City's Development Process, the permit will not be approved until the Final Development Process is completed
Required documents
- Req
Building Permit Application (eTRAKiT)
Online application via arvadapermits.org; upload PDF plans and related documents
- Req
Plan Set
Full construction document set for the tenant space, including any MEP scope
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Variable — Table 18-1, based on job contract value or square footage | City of Arvada New Commercial Buildings, Commercial Additions & Multi-Family page |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of the Building Permit Fee | City of Arvada New Commercial Buildings page |
| Use Tax | Variable — assessed using the 58% materials / 42% labor split of valuation | Arvada Municipal Code § 98-84 |
| Plumbing / Mechanical / Electrical Fees (if applicable to the scope) | Variable — Table 18-1 | Assessed separately if plumbing, mechanical, or electrical work is part of the tenant finish scope |
Review timeline
28–70 business days
Arvada’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Rough MEP
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing rough-in before walls closed
- 2
Final Structural / MEP
All trade work complete per approved plans
- 3
Landscape (if applicable)
Required to be completed before Certificate of Occupancy is issued
Tips
- Arvada publishes an exact sheet-count-based review timeline for commercial tenant finish: 1-100 sheets = 40 business days (8 weeks) total; 100+ sheets = 70 business days (14 weeks) total, broken into staff review, customer corrections, and a second staff review round — budget your project schedule accordingly.
- All subcontractors must be listed on the application up front; incomplete subcontractor listings will place your permit on hold.
- The Building Safety Division was, as of the site's own published notice, still evaluating and refining its commercial tenant finish and change-of-use processes — confirm current requirements directly for complex change-of-use scenarios without construction.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does a commercial tenant finish plan review take in Arvada?
- Arvada publishes a defined review timeline: for plan sets of 1-100 sheets, the total review cycle is 40 business days (about 8 weeks); for 100+ sheet plan sets, it's 70 business days (about 14 weeks). Both timelines are split across an initial staff code-compliance review, a customer correction period, and a second staff review round.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- City of Arvada — Building Safety Division — official building department
- City of Arvada — New Commercial Buildings, Commercial Additions & Multi-Family
- City of Arvada — Building Fee Schedule
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 Arvada building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
Other permits in Arvada
Related guides
Get the AI compliance checklist
Upload your project scope, get a jurisdiction-specific checklist of everything you need. Coming soon.
We only use your email to send permit updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Privacy.