Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Arvada, Colorado
Required for construction of new single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes in Arvada. As of lastVerified date, reviewed against the currently-adopted 2018 IRC and 2018 IECC; the City transitions to the 2024 IRC and the Colorado Model Low Energy Carbon Code (based on the 2024 IECC) for permits submitted on or after July 1, 2026, per the City's published implementation date.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Application and plan sets submitted online via eTRAKiT (arvadapermits.org); permits are no longer processed over the counter
- Plans must comply with the currently adopted 2018 IRC and 2018 IECC (2024 IRC / Colorado Model Low Energy Carbon Code required for applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026)
- Design criteria must reflect Arvada's adopted wind (136/150 Vult), snow (30 psf roof/ground), frost depth (36 in.), and Exposure Category C values
- Commercial and multi-family combination permits must list all subcontractors at application or the permit is placed on hold
- Only a combination permit is issued where more than one category of work (building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC) is involved, unless the Building Official allows separate permits
- Use tax is collected on every permit per Arvada Municipal Code § 98-84, based on 58% materials / 42% labor of the building valuation
Required documents
- Req
Building Permit Application (eTRAKiT)
Online application through arvadapermits.org; homeowners create a public account, licensed contractors log in with their AEC contractor number
- Req
Construction Drawings / Plan Set
Full plan set drawn to scale showing structural, MEP, and energy compliance details; engineered/stamped plans required for structural elements
- Req
Site / Plot Plan
Property lines, setbacks, existing and proposed structures to scale
- Req
Subcontractor Forms
Required for any licensed mechanical, electrical, or plumbing subcontractor working under the combination permit
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1.00 to $500.00 | $34.00 | Arvada Municipal Code Chapter 18, Table 18-1, per the 2026 Building Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2026 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $501.00 to $2,000.00 | $34.00 for the first $500.00 plus $3.05 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof | Table 18-1 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,001.00 to $25,000.00 | $79.75 for the first $2,000.00 plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | Table 18-1 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $25,001.00 to $50,000.00 | $401.75 for the first $25,000.00 plus $10.10 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | Table 18-1 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $50,001.00 to $100,000.00 | $654.25 for the first $50,000.00 plus $7.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | Table 18-1 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,001.00 to $500,000.00 | $1,004.25 for the first $100,000.00 plus $5.60 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | Table 18-1 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,001.00 to $1,000,000.00 | $3,244.25 for the first $500,000.00 plus $4.85 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | Table 18-1 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,000,001.00 and up | $5,669.25 for the first $1,000,000.00 plus $3.45 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | Table 18-1 |
| Valuation Basis | Higher of the ICC Building Valuation Data (Table 18-2, e.g., R-3 one- and two-family valuation ranges $155.59–$198.67/sq ft by construction type) or the actual contract value | Table 18-2, reviewed and adopted annually by Arvada City Council; combined with RS Means Building Construction Cost Data |
| Residential Combination Permit — Electrical/Heating/Plumbing subcontractor fee | 30% of the calculated building permit fee | For new single-family detached/attached combination permits, per the Building Fee Schedule overview |
| Use Tax | Assessed on the building valuation using a 58% materials / 42% labor split | Arvada Municipal Code § 98-84; source for the materials/labor split is RS Means Building Construction Cost Data 2025, Denver-area City Cost Indexes |
| Foundation Only Permit — one- and two-family | $285.00 | Table 18-4 |
Review timeline
~20–30 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Arvada building department
Inspection process
- 1
Footing / Caisson
Before concrete pour, per foundation plans and 36-inch frost depth requirement
- 2
Foundation Wall / Reinforcing
Before backfill
- 3
Rough Frame / Structural Sheathing
After framing complete, before insulation or wall cover
- 4
MEP Rough-In (Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Gas Line)
Rough electrical, rough plumbing, rough mechanical, and gas line inspections before walls closed
- 5
Insulation
Insulation and energy compliance before drywall
- 6
Final (Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Structural)
All work complete, ready for Certificate of Occupancy (issuance can take up to 5 business days after final inspections and compliance documents are complete)
Tips
- As of the lastVerified date, Arvada still enforces the 2018 I-Codes. Building permits submitted before July 1, 2026 may use the 2018 codes; permits submitted on or after July 1, 2026 must comply with the newly adopted 2024-code suite. If your project is currently in the development-application stage or has an approved master permit, ask the Building Safety Division about the City's implementation plan, which allows many in-process projects to remain on the 2018 codes.
- Only a combination permit is issued when more than one trade (building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC) is involved — subcontractors are added to the general contractor's permit rather than pulling separate permits.
- Use tax (not sales tax) is assessed on every building permit at the time of issuance, based on a 58% materials / 42% labor split of the project valuation — present your permit to material vendors to avoid paying sales tax twice.
- Permits that do not require plan review (roofing, residential plumbing, electrical, and mechanical) are typically issued within 1–3 business days; major projects like new single-family and commercial construction require full plan review, which can take 4–6 weeks for the first review cycle.
Frequently asked questions
- What building code edition does Arvada currently use?
- As of the lastVerified date, Arvada enforces the 2018 International Building Code and 2018 International Residential Code, with Arvada amendments (wind 136/150 Vult, ground/roof snow load 30 psf, frost depth 36 inches). The City has approved a transition to the 2024 International Codes (with a new Arvada Wildfire Resiliency Code and the Colorado Model Low Energy Carbon Code) effective for permits submitted on or after July 1, 2026.
- How long does plan review take for a new home in Arvada?
- The City states that major projects like new single-family and commercial construction require plan review that can take 4 to 6 weeks for the first review cycle. Permits that do not require plan review are typically issued within 1-3 business days of a completed application.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- City of Arvada — Building Safety Division — official building department
- City of Arvada — Building Permits
- City of Arvada — Adopted Building Code (current 2018-cycle codes and design criteria)
- City of Arvada — Building Fee Schedule (Tables 18-1 through 18-5, effective Jan. 1, 2026)
- City of Arvada — Building Code updates coming in 2026 (implementation date, July 1, 2026)
- City of Arvada — Residential Building Permits (permit type index)
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.
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