You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-07-07.
Burlington building permits
VerifiedBurlington, Colorado — as published 2026-07-07.
Verified 2026-07-23 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition)
VerifiedRequired for new construction or additions to residential (and other) structures within Burlington city limits. Issued through City Hall on a single combined 'Building Permit Application / Zoning Compliance Application' form. Because Burlington has not adopted a local building code, the applicant is contractually bound (via the permit application itself) to follow applicable State of Colorado building-code guidance and any Colorado Department of Local Affairs/Division of Housing requirements rather than a codified local building code.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Complete Part A (New Building, Addition, Garage, Fence, or Other) and Part C (Utility Taps) of the combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application
- Attach a scale drawing of the tract and the building to be built, repaired, or altered, with utilities and sidewalks and all dimensions clearly indicated
- Attach a Title 17.12.030(B)-compliant zoning plat: scaled drawing showing exact lot shape/dimensions, exact size/location of existing and proposed buildings/structures and driveways, present and proposed use of the property, and location of all utility/service connections and drainage courses, plus relevant conditions within 15 feet of the lot perimeter
- Complete and return a separate Building Permit Locate Form: call 811 or 800-922-1987 for a utility line locate before construction begins (approximately 3-day turnaround, ticket valid 30 days, no charge unless lines must be moved); certify the structure is not built over a gas line or any utility line
- Sign the applicant certification acknowledging Burlington has not adopted a building code and that state building-code guidelines, local requirements, and DOLA/Division of Housing inspection requirements govern
- Employ only duly licensed plumbers and electricians for any plumbing/electrical work (Colorado state licensure, per State Plumbing Board/State Electrical Board)
- Disclose where construction materials will be purchased and pay the 2% city use tax on any materials purchased outside the city (Burlington Municipal Code Chapter 3.08), either by estimate at permit issuance or via affidavit if purchasing from an in-city licensed retailer
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application / Zoning Compliance Application (PDF)Combined form covering new construction, additions, garages, fences, change-of-use/annexation, and utility taps; available at burlingtoncolo.com/DocumentCenter/View/187
- RequiredBuilding Permit Locate FormUtility line-locate certification (811/800-922-1987), returned to City Hall with the Building Permit Application
- RequiredScaled Site Plat (Title 17.12.030(B))Scaled drawing of lot, buildings, driveways, utility connections, and drainage, attached to the Zoning Compliance Certificate
- OptionalSales Tax Computation FormIncluded with the application; used to compute the 2% city use tax on materials purchased outside city limits
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1 to $500 | $25 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $501 to $2,000 | $25 for the first $500 plus $3.00 for each additional $100, or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,001 to $40,000 | $70 for the first $2,000 plus $10.00 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $40,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $40,001 to $100,000 | $450 for the first $40,000 plus $8.00 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,000 to $500,000 | $930 for the first $100,000 plus $6.00 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,000 to $1,000,000 | $1,170 for the first $500,000 plus $5.00 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 | $3,670 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.00 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $5,000,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $5,000,000 and up | $15,670 for the first $5,000,000 plus $1.00 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof | — |
| Construction/Building Materials Use Tax | 2% of the deemed sale value of construction/building materials (50% of current replacement cost of the project) if materials are purchased outside city limits | Burlington Municipal Code 3.08.080; may instead be handled via affidavit if all materials are purchased from a licensed retailer within the city |
| Administrative Fee | Amount not published; a line item exists on the permit form ('Administrative Fee') but no schedule or amount is disclosed anywhere in available City materials | Confirm exact amount directly with City Hall (719-346-8652) at time of application |
Residential Addition / Remodel Permit
VerifiedAdditions are covered by the same combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application as new construction (Part A, 'Addition' checkbox). Interior remodels that do not change the building footprint, use, or zoning compliance still require checking with City Hall, per the Building Permits page's instruction to 'check with City Hall staff prior to any construction, remodeling, or other changes.'
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Complete Part A of the Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application, selecting 'Addition' (or 'Other' for remodel scope) and describing the work
- Attach a scale drawing/site plat per Title 17.12.030(B) if the project affects the building footprint or site layout
- Complete the Building Permit Locate Form if any excavation or ground-disturbing work is involved
- Contact City Hall before starting any remodeling work to confirm whether a permit is required for the specific scope — the City's own guidance states some changes 'may require a building permit' and staff will advise per-project
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application / Zoning Compliance Application (PDF)Same combined form used for new construction, with 'Addition' or 'Other' selected in Part A
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as new construction) | $25 minimum, scaling per the tiered valuation schedule | Per the Building Permit Application fee table |
| Construction/Building Materials Use Tax | 2% of deemed sale value if materials purchased outside city limits | Burlington Municipal Code 3.08.080 |
Electrical Permit
VerifiedBurlington's own Building Permit Application does not describe a City-run electrical permit or inspection process (it only requires that electrical work be performed by a duly licensed electrician). Directly confirmed 2026-07-13 via DORA's own current, publicly accessible jurisdiction page (dpo.colorado.gov/ElectricalPlumbingPermits, HTTP 200): Kit Carson County is NOT among the Colorado counties listed as having their own local Electrical Inspection Program (the page states 'The State does not inspect in local jurisdictions having its own Electrical Inspection Program... If the county where your job site is located is listed below, do not continue with the permit application process' and lists Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Chaffee, City of Pueblo/Town of Boone, Delta (City of Delta only), Denver, Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, Mesa, Pitkin, Pueblo, San Miguel, Summit, Teller, and Weld — Kit Carson is absent). Combined with CRS 12-115-120's default-to-state-inspection rule for jurisdictions without their own certified program, electrical permitting/inspection in Burlington is confirmed to default to the Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA).
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical work must be performed by a duly licensed Colorado electrician (per the City's Building Permit Application certification requirement)
- Absent a City-run electrical inspection program, apply for a Colorado State Electrical Permit through the DORA Division of Professions and Occupations online permitting system prior to installing electrical wiring
- State Electrical Permits are valid for one year from the date of issuance
Required documents
- RequiredColorado State Electrical Permit (DORA)Applied for online via the DPO Online Permitting System
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State Electrical Permit Fee | Set by the Colorado State Electrical Board fee schedule (DORA), not the City of Burlington | Confirm current state fee schedule at dpo.colorado.gov/Electrical; not itemized in any Burlington city document |
Plumbing Permit
VerifiedAs with electrical work, Burlington's own Building Permit Application requires plumbing work be performed by a duly licensed plumber but describes no separate City-run plumbing permit or inspection process. Directly confirmed 2026-07-13 via DORA's own current, publicly accessible jurisdiction page (dpo.colorado.gov/ElectricalPlumbingPermits, HTTP 200): Kit Carson County is NOT among the counties listed as having their own local Plumbing Inspection Program (the page states 'The State does not inspect in local jurisdictions having its own Plumbing Inspection Program' and lists Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Chaffee, City of Pueblo/Town of Boone, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Elbert, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Jefferson, La Plata, Lake, Larimer, Mesa, Moffat, Pitkin, Prowers, Pueblo, Routt, Summit, Teller, and Weld — Kit Carson is absent). This is corroborated by 3 CCR 720-1 (State Plumbing Board Rules), Rule 7.1.1, which confirms permits/inspections run 'either through the Board or the Local Authority Having Jurisdiction' — Kit Carson County having no such local authority per the above list, plumbing permitting/inspection in Burlington is confirmed to default to the Colorado State Plumbing Board (DORA).
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Plumbing work must be performed by a duly licensed Colorado plumber (per the City's Building Permit Application certification requirement)
- Absent a City-run plumbing inspection program, apply for a Colorado State Plumbing Permit through the DORA Division of Professions and Occupations online permitting system prior to installing plumbing
- State Plumbing Permits are valid for one year from the date of issuance
Required documents
- RequiredColorado State Plumbing Permit (DORA)Applied for online via the DPO Online Permitting System
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State Plumbing Permit Fee | Set by the Colorado State Plumbing Board fee schedule (DORA), not the City of Burlington | Confirm current state fee schedule at dpo.colorado.gov; not itemized in any Burlington city document |
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
VerifiedMechanical/HVAC work (furnace, ductwork, ventilation) in Burlington is covered under the general combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application ('Other' scope in Part A) rather than a standalone mechanical permit form; no separate City mechanical code or inspection process is published.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Complete the combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application, describing the mechanical scope of work under Part A ('Other')
- Because no local building code (and therefore no locally adopted IMC/IFGC edition) exists, applicants should confirm with City Hall what state guidance applies to the specific mechanical installation
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application / Zoning Compliance Application (PDF)Same combined form used for all other permit types
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule) | $25 minimum, scaling per the tiered valuation schedule | No separate mechanical-specific fee schedule is published; billed under the general Building Permit Fee table |
Re-Roof Permit
VerifiedRe-roofing is covered under the general Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application ('Other' scope) rather than a distinct re-roof permit type; no re-roof-specific fee, document set, or timeline is separately published by the City.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Contact City Hall to confirm whether a re-roof project requires a permit for the specific scope of work
- Complete the combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application if a permit is required
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application / Zoning Compliance Application (PDF)Same combined form used for all other permit types
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule) | $25 minimum, scaling per the tiered valuation schedule | No separate re-roof fee is published |
Rooftop Solar PV Permit
VerifiedNo solar-specific permit type, expedited track, or fee schedule is published by the City of Burlington (re-confirmed 2026-07-13; no such program has appeared on the City's site or in DOLA/DORA materials). A rooftop solar PV installation would be processed under the general combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application, with the electrical portion of the work falling under the Colorado State Electrical Board permit system — this is now a directly-confirmed determination (see this file's electrical-permit entry, upgraded to verified 2026-07-13 via DORA's own current jurisdiction page at dpo.colorado.gov/ElectricalPlumbingPermits showing Kit Carson County absent from the counties with their own local Electrical Inspection Program), not merely an inference.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Complete the combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application for the structural/roof-mounting portion of the installation
- Obtain a Colorado State Electrical Permit (DORA) for the electrical/interconnection portion of the installation, consistent with this file's assessment that Burlington defaults to state electrical permitting
- Electrical work must be performed by a duly licensed Colorado electrician
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application / Zoning Compliance Application (PDF)For the structural/mounting scope of the installation
- RequiredColorado State Electrical Permit (DORA)For the electrical/interconnection scope of the installation
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule) | $25 minimum, scaling per the tiered valuation schedule | No solar-specific fee is published by the City |
| State Electrical Permit Fee | Set by the Colorado State Electrical Board fee schedule (DORA) | Not itemized in any Burlington city document |
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit
VerifiedNo distinct ADU ordinance, permit type, or standalone zoning provision exists for Burlington, Colorado — this is now a DIRECTLY VERIFIED finding, not an inference. RESOLVED 2026-07-23: Burlington's Municode Code of Ordinances library.municode.com/co/burlington, previously a confirmed dead end via WebFetch/curl (returns only a ~6KB unrendered Angular shell to those tools), WAS successfully retrieved and read in full via the Browser pane's real Chromium rendering (a genuinely new avenue vs. the prior curl/WebFetch-only attempts), which executes the site's Angular JS and serves the actual codified ordinance text. The live, current version (VERSION: Apr 15, 2021, codified through Ordinance No. 960, enacted December 14, 2020 — the most current codified supplement; cross-checked against the site's own 'Adopted Ordinances Not Yet Codified' list running through Ord. No. 1017 (adopted 4/27/26), none of which touch Title 17 Zoning's residential-use or accessory-use sections in any ADU-relevant way) was read directly: Chapter 17.08 (Definitions) defines 'Dwelling,' 'Dwelling, multifamily,' 'Dwelling, single-family,' 'Dwelling, two-family,' and 'Dwelling unit' but contains NO 'accessory dwelling unit,' 'dwelling, accessory,' or equivalent term anywhere in its full definitions list (17.08.010 through 17.08.335). Section 17.20.060 ('Accessory uses and buildings in residential districts') exhaustively enumerates the only authorized accessory uses in any residential district — (A) home occupations, (B) one accessory structure not exceeding fifty feet in height, and (C) accessory buildings/uses customarily incident to the above not involving a business, including a private garage — and does not include a second dwelling unit or living quarters among them. Section 17.20.010 (R-1 Single-Family Residential) permits 'single-family dwellings' by right (subsection A.1) but places 'multifamily dwelling units providing permanent living accommodations for two or more dwelling units' only under Uses Permitted by Special Review (subsection B.4) — meaning any additional dwelling unit on an R-1 lot (the closest available mechanism for what would function as an ADU) is NOT permitted by right and instead requires a Special Review certificate of zoning compliance from the Board of Adjustment and Appeals under Chapter 17.32 (standards at 17.32.010: fire hazard, noise, vibration, air pollution, odors, glare, traffic hazard, utility burden, neighborhood character, general welfare; application procedure at 17.32.020). This is a genuine verified-negative: Burlington's own codified zoning ordinance, read in full, has no ADU-specific ordinance, definition, or by-right pathway — a second/accessory dwelling unit is treated as an additional 'multifamily' unit requiring Special Review, not as an accessory use. Also previously confirmed 2026-07-13: Burlington is NOT a 'Subject Jurisdiction' under Colorado's statewide ADU mandate, HB24-1152 (C.R.S. 29-35-402 through 405) — DOLA's dlg.colorado.gov/accessory-dwelling-units page lists Subject Jurisdictions as home-rule/statutory/territorial-charter cities within a federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) boundary with population 1,000+, and Burlington/Kit Carson County sit outside every Colorado MPO, so no state-law by-right ADU mandate applies here either.
Verified 2026-07-23 · Source
Requirements
- Complete the combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application (Part A: New Building or Addition, as applicable) for the structural scope
- If the project adds a second dwelling unit (the functional equivalent of an ADU) on an R-1 (single-family) lot, apply for a Special Review certificate of zoning compliance from the Board of Adjustment and Appeals under Burlington Municipal Code 17.20.010(B)(4) and Chapter 17.32 — a second unit is not permitted by right in R-1 and is not covered by the accessory-uses list in 17.20.060 (verified via full-text read of Title 17, Zoning, 2026-07-23)
- Attach the Title 17.12.030(B) scaled site plat showing the proposed structure's location relative to the principal dwelling and lot lines
- Confirm with City Hall which zoning district (R-1, R-2, R-3, or R-M) applies to the specific lot, since R-2/R-3 districts permit multifamily uses by right where R-1 requires Special Review
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application / Zoning Compliance Application (PDF)Same combined form used for all other permit types
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule) | $25 minimum, scaling per the tiered valuation schedule | No ADU-specific fee is published |
Demolition Permit
VerifiedDemolition is one of the enumerated project types on the general Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application intake. A distinct, separate dangerous-building-abatement process also exists and was fully verified 2026-07-13: the City's own PDF of Ordinance No. 990 (burlingtoncolo.com/DocumentCenter/View/909) was retrieved and read in full (its filename retains the phrase 'proposed...DRAFT' from drafting, but the document's own text shows it was PASSED, ADOPTED and ORDERED PUBLISHED by the City Council on July 8, 2024, signed by Mayor Greg Swiatkowski, attested by City Clerk Georgia Gilley, with a Clerk's Certificate and a Certificate of Publication confirming publication in The Burlington Record on July 11, 2024 — i.e., it is the enacted, currently-effective ordinance despite the filename, not an unadopted draft). Ordinance No. 990 governs INVOLUNTARY code-enforcement demolition/abatement of buildings the City declares 'dangerous' (structural failure, fire/collapse hazard, uninhabitable, abandoned 6+ months, public nuisance, etc. — Section 2, items A-P) and is legally and procedurally distinct from a standard VOLUNTARY demolition permit processed on the combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Complete the combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application, describing the demolition scope under Part A
- Coordinate utility disconnection and the Building Permit Locate Form (811/800-922-1987) before demolition begins, consistent with the general new-construction requirements
- Where a structure is instead the subject of a City-initiated dangerous-building declaration under Ordinance No. 990 (verified full text 2026-07-13), a distinct abatement process applies rather than a standard voluntary demolition permit: the City Administrator may declare a building 'dangerous' per the 16 criteria in Section 2 (structural failure/collapse risk, fire hazard, uninhabitability, 6+ months abandonment, public nuisance, etc.); the owner is served written notice (personal service or, if the owner cannot be located, posting plus certified mail to the address on the Kit Carson County tax rolls) with a default 90-day period to voluntarily abate (Section 7.C); if not voluntarily abated, the City may seek a judicial determination and abate the building itself, recovering costs from the owner as a property lien (Section 8) collected the same way as real estate taxes, plus a 5% inspection/incidental-cost assessment and a 10% collection-cost assessment on top of the abatement's actual cost; imminently dangerous buildings may be summarily (immediately) abated by the City Administrator without the notice-and-90-day process (Section 7.A-B)
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application / Zoning Compliance Application (PDF)Same combined form used for all other permit types
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule) | $25 minimum, scaling per the tiered valuation schedule | No separate demolition-specific fee is published |
Commercial Tenant Improvement / Change of Use Permit
VerifiedCommercial tenant improvements and changes of use are processed under Part B ('Change of Use') of the combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application, which separately captures present use, proposed use, current zoning, and any annexation/petition status, alongside Part A for any physical construction scope.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Complete Part B of the combined application: present use, proposed use, current zone, and annexation/petition status if applicable
- Complete Part A if the tenant improvement includes physical construction, addition, or alteration work
- Confirm zoning compliance for the proposed use with City Hall before applying
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application / Zoning Compliance Application (PDF)Part B covers Change of Use specifically
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule, if construction work is involved) | $25 minimum, scaling per the tiered valuation schedule | No separate change-of-use or commercial-TI-specific fee is published; a Change of Use with no construction scope may not trigger the valuation-based fee at all — confirm with City Hall |
Deck / Covered Patio Permit
VerifiedDecks and covered patios are processed under the general 'Addition' or 'Other' scope on the combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application; no deck-specific fee, document set, or exemption threshold is separately published by the City.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Complete the combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application, describing the deck/patio scope, front/side/rear yard setbacks, and maximum height in Part A
- Attach the Title 17.12.030(B) scaled site plat showing the deck/patio's location relative to lot lines and the principal structure
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application / Zoning Compliance Application (PDF)Includes explicit fields for front/side/rear yard setback and maximum height, directly applicable to deck/patio projects
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule) | $25 minimum, scaling per the tiered valuation schedule | No deck-specific fee or exemption is published |
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
VerifiedInstallation of an electric vehicle charger (EVSE) at a Burlington property is electrical work, and the City of Burlington does not itself issue electrical permits — electrical permitting, inspection, and fees are handled by the Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA), not itemized in any City of Burlington fee document. There is no City-issued EV-charger-specific permit or fee. A City building permit / zoning compliance application may still be required for the overall project depending on scope (e.g., new equipment enclosures).
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical permit obtained directly through the Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA), not the City of Burlington
- Colorado-licensed electrical contractor required
- Dedicated branch circuit sized to EVSE manufacturer specifications, complying with the applicable NEC edition — Burlington has not adopted its own local building/electrical code, per the City's own Building Permit Application acknowledgment
- A City of Burlington Building Permit / Zoning Compliance Application may still be required for the associated site work (e.g., mounting structure, utility locate)
Required documents
- RequiredColorado State Electrical Board (DORA) Electrical Permit ApplicationState-issued electrical permit application; Burlington has no local equivalent
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State Electrical Permit Fee | Set by the Colorado State Electrical Board fee schedule (DORA), not the City of Burlington | Confirm current state fee schedule at dpo.colorado.gov/EandP/Permits; not itemized in any Burlington city document, same routing as Burlington's general Electrical Permit |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-23.
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 Burlington building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.