Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Lakewood, Colorado
Required for new single-family detached homes, duplexes, townhomes, and new multi-family buildings in the City of Lakewood, plus new accessory dwelling units and modular/move-set residential buildings. Reviewed against the 2021 IRC/IBC with Lakewood Municipal Code Title 14 amendments. Applied for as 'Building Residential New' in eTRAKiT.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Apply via eTRAKiT (lakw-trk.aspgov.com/eTRAKiT); homeowners and contractors must first establish an eTRAKiT account
- eTRAKiT Permit Subtypes under 'Building Residential New': New Single Family Detached, New Single Family Attached/Townhouse (3+ units), New Duplex, New Multi Family, New Accessory Dwelling Unit, New Modular or Move Set
- Plans must comply with the 2021 IRC/IBC and Lakewood Title 14 amendments
- Valuation must include labor and materials for all construction, including electrical/mechanical/plumbing systems
- Plans may be required to be stamped by a Colorado-licensed design professional if the initial submittal doesn't demonstrate adequate code knowledge/constructability
- As owner-occupant of a single-family detached home, a homeowner may pull the permit and self-perform (Homeowner as General Contractor); all other applicants must use a Lakewood-registered contractor
- Estimated use tax (3% of 50% of project valuation) is collected in addition to permit and plan review fees
Required documents
- Req
Building Permit Application (via eTRAKiT)
Online application; select Permit Type 'Building Residential New' and the correct subtype
- Opt
Homeowner Permit Agreement (if self-performing)
Required form for owner-occupants of single-family detached homes acting as their own general contractor; available in the Supplemental Forms section of eTRAKiT info
- Req
Construction Drawings
Full plan set showing existing and proposed conditions; must be uploaded through eTRAKiT
- Req
Site Plan
Property lines, setbacks, existing/proposed structures
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1.00 to $500.00 | $26.00 | City of Lakewood Building Permit & Inspection Fee Schedule, effective Jan 1, 2021 (current published schedule as of 2026-06-30; the source document itself notes fees 'change periodically' — call 303-987-7500 to verify current amount) |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $501.00 to $2,000.00 | $26.00 for the first $500.00 plus $3.45 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,001.00 to $25,000.00 | $77.75 for the first $2,000.00 plus $13.80 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $25,001.00 to $50,000.00 | $395.15 for the first $25,000.00 plus $9.20 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $50,001.00 to $100,000.00 | $625.15 for the first $50,000.00 plus $6.90 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,001.00 to $500,000.00 | $970.15 for the first $100,000.00 plus $5.75 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,001.00 to $1,000,000.00 | $3,270.15 for the first $500,000.00 plus $4.60 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,000,001.00 and up | $5,570.15 for the first $1,000,000.00 plus $3.45 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of the building permit fee | Masterplan for single-family: initial use = 65% of permit fee; second and subsequent use of same masterplan = $325.00 each use |
| Estimated Use Tax | 3% of 50% of the project valuation | Collected in addition to permit and plan review fees; valuation/use tax/permit fees are subject to audit |
| Temporary Certificate of Occupancy | $1,000.00 initial issuance or extension ($500.00 refunded if converted to Final CO before TCO expiration) | — |
Review timeline
~0–0 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Lakewood building department
Inspection process
- 1
Foundation / Footings
Before concrete pour — footings must extend below 36-inch frost depth
- 2
Framing
After framing complete, before insulation or wall cover
- 3
MEP Rough-In
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-in before walls closed
- 4
Final
All work complete; City issues Certificate of Occupancy for new home projects once all required inspections pass
Tips
- Lakewood inspections scheduled through eTRAKiT by 7 a.m. are typically performed the same day (weekdays only); inspections can be scheduled up to 6 days in advance.
- Frost depth in Lakewood is 36 inches — notably deeper than Denver's older code guidance; footings on all new construction must extend below this depth.
- Wind design splits at the '10,000 West Block' (Kipling St.) line — properties west of Kipling require significantly higher wind design (up to 178 mph Vult Risk Cat III/IV) than east of it (up to 148 mph Vult). Confirm which side of this line your site falls on.
- A homeowner may self-permit and self-perform a single-family DETACHED home build (not townhome/duplex/ADU by default) — contact the Permit Counter to confirm eligibility for your specific project.
- The published Building Permit Fee Schedule is dated January 2021 and the document itself states fees change periodically — call 303-987-7500 or confirm live in eTRAKiT before budgeting a project.
Frequently asked questions
- What building code edition does Lakewood, Colorado use?
- The City of Lakewood has adopted the 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 IRC, and related 2021 I-Codes (IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IEBC, IFC, ISPSC, IPMC), plus the 2023 National Electrical Code, per the City of Lakewood Codes and Loads permit handout. Local amendments are codified in Lakewood Municipal Code Title 14, adopted by City Council on May 8, 2023, effective June 30, 2023.
- Can a homeowner pull their own building permit in Lakewood?
- Yes, if you are the owner and occupant of a single-family DETACHED home performing the work yourself. You must establish an eTRAKiT account and complete a Homeowner Permit Agreement. Owner-occupants of townhomes/duplexes may qualify in some circumstances; LLCs, trusts, and corporations are never issued homeowner permits.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- City of Lakewood — Public Works Department, Permit Counter (Building Division) — official building department
- City of Lakewood — Building and Construction Permits (canonical page; lakewood.org redirects here)
- City of Lakewood Building Permit & Inspection Fee Schedule (effective Jan 1, 2021, current published version)
- City of Lakewood Codes and Loads Permit Process Assistance Handout
- City of Lakewood Building Permit Process for Homeowners (rev. 10/18/2023)
- City of Lakewood eTRAKiT Permit Types info sheet (rev. 2022-01-06)
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 Lakewood building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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