You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-08-26.
Burlington building permits
Burlington, Colorado — as published 2026-08-26.
Reviewed 2026-07-23 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition)
Required 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.
Reviewed 2026-08-26 · 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 | Not published | The City publishes no building permit fee schedule. Show full citationHideThe City publishes no building permit fee schedule. Its Building Permits page states only that 'There is a fee for each permit' and directs applicants to contact City Hall at 719-346-8652 for an application packet; the Building Permit Application prints blank 'Tap Fee', 'Use Tax', 'Permit Fee' and 'Administrative Fee' lines for staff to complete, and the Building Codes page carries no fee figures. Ask City Hall for the amount that applies to your project valuation before you budget. |
| 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). Per DORA's own current, publicly accessible jurisdiction page (dpo.colorado.gov/ElectricalPlumbingPermits): 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 defaults 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. Per DORA's current jurisdiction page (dpo.colorado.gov/ElectricalPlumbingPermits), 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 defaults 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; none appears 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 — see the electrical-permit entry, which rests on 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.
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 the 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 — a directly verified finding from the full text of the city's codified ordinances at library.municode.com/co/burlington (VERSION: Apr 15, 2021, codified through Ordinance No. 960, enacted December 14, 2020 — the most current codified supplement; the site's own 'Adopted Ordinances Not Yet Codified' list runs 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). 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). Burlington's codified zoning ordinance thus 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. Burlington is also 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 separate dangerous-building-abatement process also exists under Ordinance No. 990 (burlingtoncolo.com/DocumentCenter/View/909). The City's posted PDF keeps the phrase 'proposed...DRAFT' in its filename, but the document itself 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, and carries a Clerk's Certificate and a Certificate of Publication for The Burlington Record on July 11, 2024 - it is the enacted, currently effective ordinance, not an unadopted draft. Ordinance No. 990 governs INVOLUNTARY code-enforcement demolition and abatement of buildings the City declares 'dangerous' (structural failure, fire/collapse hazard, uninhabitable, abandoned 6+ months, public nuisance, and the rest of Section 2, items A-P). It 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 |
Sign Permit
VerifiedBurlington has no standalone sign ordinance, no sign permit application, no sign-specific fee, and no size or height standard for signs. Title 17 (Zoning) contains no definition of 'sign' in Chapter 17.08, and none of Chapters 17.04 through 17.44 is a sign-regulations chapter. Signs are handled as structures: Chapter 17.20, Article IV (Sections 17.20.150, 17.20.160 and 17.20.180) permits them in required front, side and rear yards alongside driveways, sidewalks, retaining walls and fences, subject to the same yard-setback and lot-coverage limits as those structures. Because a sign is a structure, Burlington Municipal Code 17.12.020(A)(1) requires a Certificate of Zoning Compliance to erect one, applied for on the same combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application used for decks and covered patios, reroofs and mechanical work. Confirm placement and any size expectations with the City before you fabricate a sign.
Verified 2026-08-13 · Source
Requirements
- No standalone sign permit application, sign-specific fee, or dimensional/height standard is published anywhere in Burlington's Municipal Code (Title 17, all 11 chapters) or on the City's own website, which carries no Sign Permits, Signage, or Planning/Zoning page
- A sign, as a 'structure,' requires a Certificate of Zoning Compliance under Burlington Municipal Code 17.12.020(A)(1) ('to erect or construct a building or structure') — apply using the general combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application (Part A, 'Other'), the same form used for decks, re-roofs, and other minor scopes not separately itemized by the City
- Signs must comply with the same required-yard and lot-coverage rules that apply to driveways, sidewalks, retaining walls, and fences (Burlington Municipal Code 17.20.150, 17.20.160(C)-(D), 17.20.180(A)-(D)) — front/side/rear yard placement restrictions apply to a sign the same as to any other minor yard structure
- Attach the Title 17.12.030(B) scaled site plat showing the sign's proposed location relative to lot lines and the principal structure, consistent with the other minor-structure entries
- Confirm with City Hall (719-346-8652) before designing or installing any sign, since no published size, height, or illumination standard exists to self-certify against
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application / Zoning Compliance Application (PDF)No dedicated sign permit application exists; a sign would be processed as a 'structure' under Part A ('Other') of the same combined form used for all other minor scopes not separately itemized by the City
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule, if a fee applies to a given sign) | $25 minimum, scaling per the tiered valuation schedule | No sign-specific fee is published anywhere in Burlington Municipal Code Title 17 (Section 17.04.090, 'Schedule of fees, charges and expenses,' states only that the city council sets and posts a fee… Show full citationHideNo sign-specific fee is published anywhere in Burlington Municipal Code Title 17 (Section 17.04.090, 'Schedule of fees, charges and expenses,' states only that the city council sets and posts a fee schedule 'in the office of the zoning compliance officer and the city clerk' — it is not itemized online). Confirm directly with City Hall whether a sign specifically triggers this fee or is treated as fee-exempt. |
Fire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm System Permit
VerifiedColorado is home-rule with no statewide fire code floor, so which authority governs fire sprinkler and alarm work in Burlington had to be established rather than assumed. Burlington has its own long-standing volunteer fire department — the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department, established in 1908 as the City's fire department and reorganized as a rural fire protection district in 1952, covering roughly 850 square miles and about 3,500 residents in far eastern Kit Carson County. No fire code adoption, standalone fire sprinkler or alarm permit, fee schedule or plan-review process is published anywhere: the City's website has no Fire Department page; Burlington Municipal Code Title 8 (Health and Safety) has no Fire Prevention chapter, its five chapters being Board of Health, Nuisances, Garbage/Rubbish/Weeds, Trees/Shrubs, and Sale and Use of Fireworks; Title 15 (Buildings and Construction), Chapter 15.04 'Building Code Adopted', has no adopted fire-suppression code — its only fire-related provision (15.04.030) defines two now-obsolete 'Fire Zones' solely 'for the purpose of applying the Uniform Building Code', a code the City's own Building Permit Application confirms is no longer in force; and the fire department's own website (burlingtonvolunteerfiredept.com) has no Prevention, Inspection or Permits section. One fire-related code action does apply: City of Burlington Ordinance No. 1016, an emergency ordinance passed and published April 2026, adopted the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code as new Section 15.04.040 of the Municipal Code, per the mandatory statewide adoption deadline in C.R.S. 24-33.5-1237(2)(a). That is a wildfire-hardening building code covering structural and material standards — it is not a fire-suppression, sprinkler or alarm code and creates no fire-system permit process. Note that it is not yet reflected in the codified online text, which remains at Supplement 13 through Ordinance No. 960, so check the ordinance itself rather than the codified chapter.
Verified 2026-08-13 · Source
Requirements
- Fire protection in Burlington is provided by the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department (established 1908; reorganized as a rural fire protection district in 1952), 175 Madison Street, Burlington, CO 80807, phone 719-346-7225 — confirmed via the department's own website; dispatch runs through the Kit Carson County Communications Center (719-346-9325)
- Neither the City of Burlington nor the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department publishes a standalone fire sprinkler or fire alarm permit application, fee schedule, or plan-review process. The City's own sitemap lists no Fire Department page, and none of the pages in the Fire Department's site navigation (Home, About, History, Members, Notices, Contact) carries one
- No fire-suppression or fire-alarm code (e.g., no International Fire Code edition, no NFPA 13/72 adoption) is codified anywhere in Burlington Municipal Code Title 8 (Health and Safety, which has no Fire Prevention chapter at all) or Title 15 (Buildings and Construction, Chapter 15.04 'Building Code Adopted'), as published on Municode
- City of Burlington Ordinance No. 1016 (passed and published as an emergency ordinance, adopted March 30, 2026, published in The Record April 9, 2026 — full text downloaded and read directly from Municode's ordinance PDF API) added Section 15.04.040 adopting the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, per the statewide mandate in C.R.S. 24-33.5-1237(2)(a). This is a wildfire-hardening building/materials code, not a fire-suppression or sprinkler/alarm code, and does not create a fire sprinkler/alarm permit process; it is noted here as the only currently-effective, directly-verified fire-related code action found for Burlington and is not yet reflected in Municode's codified online text
- Burlington's Building Permit Application has no dedicated fire-protection-plan field, but City Hall may still request fire protection plans stamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer on a per-project basis -- ask before assuming they are not needed
- If sprinkler/alarm work accompanies new construction or an addition, it would be processed under the general combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application (Part A, 'Other'), the same as the mechanical-hvac-permit entry; any electrical wiring for an alarm system would route to the Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA), consistent with the electrical-permit entry, since Burlington has no local electrical inspection program
- Contact the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department directly (719-346-7225) and City Hall (719-346-8652) to confirm current practice for any fire sprinkler or alarm installation, since no standalone process, application, or fee for this specific scenario is published anywhere in the City's or the Department's available materials
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application / Zoning Compliance Application (PDF)No fire-sprinkler/alarm-specific document exists; if sprinkler/alarm work is part of new construction or a remodel, it would be captured under Part A ('Other') of the same combined form used for all other minor scopes not separately itemized by the City
- OptionalNone published specifically for fire sprinkler/alarm systems by the Burlington Volunteer Fire DepartmentNeither the Department's website nor the City's site publishes a standalone fire sprinkler/alarm plan-review application, checklist, or fee schedule. Contact the Department directly (719-346-7225).
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington Volunteer Fire Department plan review / inspection fee | Genuinely unpublished — no fee schedule of any kind is published by the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department. Confirm directly with the Department (719-346-7225). | |
| City of Burlington Building Permit Fee (structural/plan-review portion, if sprinkler or alarm work is part of new construction or a remodel) | $25 minimum, scaling per the tiered valuation schedule | No fire-sprinkler-specific line item exists anywhere in Burlington's published fee materials; billed under the general Building Permit Fee table already documented in the residential-building-permit entry, and separate from any fee the Fire Department itself may charge. |
Change of Use / Certificate of Zoning Compliance Permit
VerifiedBurlington codifies change of use directly. Burlington Municipal Code Chapter 17.12 (Building Permits and Certificates of Zoning Compliance), Section 17.12.020(A), states: 'A certificate of zoning compliance shall be required:...3. To change the use of any building or structure; 4. To change the use of any property in the city.' Sections 17.12.020 through 17.12.060 set the procedure. The requirement reaches any change of use in the city, residential or commercial, not only commercial tenant improvements. File it under Part B ('Change of Use') of the City's combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application.
Verified 2026-08-13 · Source
Requirements
- A certificate of zoning compliance is required to change the use of any building, structure, or property in the city (Burlington Municipal Code 17.12.020(A)(3)-(4))
- It is unlawful to use or occupy any building or premises whose use has been changed, converted, or altered until a certificate of zoning compliance has been issued (17.12.020(C)); violation is punishable under Section 17.40.020
- Complete Part B ('Change of Use') of the combined Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Application: present use, proposed use, current zone, and annexation/petition status if applicable
- Submit the application on the form prescribed by the zoning compliance officer, together with a plat drawn to scale showing the lot's actual shape/dimensions, the existing and intended use of each building and of the property, present and proposed utility/service connections, drainage courses and easements, and conditions within fifteen feet of the lot perimeter (17.12.030(A)-(B), the same Title 17.12.030(B) plat cited throughout this record)
- In areas not served by public water or sewer, submit a certified statement that proposed water/sewer facilities will conform to State Department of Health minimum requirements (17.12.030(C))
- An application filed on behalf of a fraternal, charitable, or civic organization must be accompanied by a resolution of that organization authorizing the application (17.12.030(D))
- A certificate issued becomes invalid if the physical work it authorizes is not commenced within six months of issuance, or is suspended/abandoned for one year (17.12.040) — for a pure change of use involving no physical construction, confirm with City Hall how this expiration provision is applied in practice
- Complete Part A of the combined application as well if the change of use is accompanied by construction, remodeling, or alteration work (see the residential-addition-remodel and commercial-tenant-improvement entries)
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application / Zoning Compliance Application (PDF)Part B specifically captures Change of Use (present use, proposed use, current zoning, annexation/petition status); implements the certificate-of-zoning-compliance requirement of BMC 17.12.020
- RequiredScaled Site Plat (Title 17.12.030(B))Same plat requirement used for new construction and other permit types in this record — shows the lot, buildings, existing/intended use, and utility connections
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Zoning Compliance / Change of Use fee | Burlington Municipal Code 17.04.090 states the city council 'shall establish a schedule of fees, charges and expenses...for certificates of zoning compliance, appeals and other matters,' posted 'in… Show full citationHideBurlington Municipal Code 17.04.090 states the city council 'shall establish a schedule of fees, charges and expenses...for certificates of zoning compliance, appeals and other matters,' posted 'in the office of the zoning compliance officer and the city clerk' — but no dollar figure is itemized anywhere online. Genuinely unpublished; confirm directly with City Hall (719-346-8652). | |
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule, only if construction work accompanies the change of use) | $25 minimum, scaling per the tiered valuation schedule | A pure change of use with no construction scope may not trigger this fee at all, since it is calculated from project valuation — confirm with City Hall whether the separate zoning-compliance fee (above) applies in that scenario |
Sources & verification
Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-23.
Applications & forms
Checklists & handouts
Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
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.