Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence or Duplex) in Durango, Colorado

Durango requires a residential building permit (new single-family residence or duplex) for: New projects not already in a planning process prior to 01/01/2026 must be designed to the 2024 I-Codes and 2023 NEC; Must additionally comply with the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code and the Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code (CMERSRC), both state-mandated for new 2026-and-beyond projects; Full submittal package required per Section 107 IBC / Section 106 IRC: cover sheet with title block, sheet/drawing index, project/building data block, site vicinity map, civil or architectural site plan, foundation plan, floor plans, structural design sheets, elevations and sections, mechanical design sheets, electrical design sheets, plumbing design sheets, reflected ceiling plan, roof/ceiling design sheets, and IECC energy code compliance documentation; Most projects require an architect or engineer stamp; minor IRC-only projects may be done by a draftsperson, though engineered elements (shear walls, moment frames) still need a professional engineer's stamp; MEP (mechanical/electrical/plumbing) design sheets are required at initial submittal for both residential and commercial projects and may NOT be submitted as deferred submittals (fire sprinkler design, truss design sheets, and fire protection engineering may be deferred); Sky Ridge and Rock Ridge subdivision projects require professionally engineered foundation systems; Three Springs and Twin Buttes projects require their own Design Review Committee approval, documented at submittal; Public improvements (sidewalk, curb and gutter, street trees) may be required as a condition of any building permit; Contractors must hold a valid City of Durango Business License; Applications submitted through the City's OpenGov online portal (durangoco.portal.opengov.com); All electrical work on the project is separately permitted and inspected by the State of Colorado Electrical Board (DORA), not included in this City building permit. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Durango Community Development Department, Building Division at 970-375-5000 before starting work.

In Durango, the published Building Permit Fee — valuation $1 to $500 is: $24.00. Additional published fees: Building Permit Fee — valuation $501 to $2,000 — $24 for the first $500 plus $3 for each additional $100 (rounded up to next $100 interval); Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,001 to $40,000 — $69 for the first $2,000 plus $11 for each additional $1,000 (rounded up to next $1,000 interval); Building Permit Fee — valuation $40,001 to $100,000 — $487 for the first $40,000 plus $9 for each additional $1,000 (rounded up); Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,001 to $500,000 — $1,027 for the first $100,000 plus $7 for each additional $1,000 (rounded up); Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,001 to $1,000,000 — $3,827 for the first $500,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000 (rounded up); Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,000,001 to $5,000,000 — $6,327 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3 for each additional $1,000 (rounded up); Building Permit Fee — valuation $5,000,001 and over — $18,327 for the first $5,000,000 plus $1 for each additional $1,000 (rounded up); Use Tax — 1.75% of total project valuation; Water Plant Investment Fee (PIF) — Single Unit Dwelling, 3/4-inch — $5,320; Sewer Plant Investment Fee (PIF) — Single Unit Dwelling — $2,500; Tap Fee — 3/4-inch — $334 per tap; Major Street Impact Fee — Single-Family Detached, 1,000-1,499 sq ft living area — $2,050 per dwelling unit; Park Fee — Per-unit fee for new residential units; Three Springs, Twin Buttes, and SkyRidge carry specific exemptions; School Land Dedication or In-Lieu Fee — Single Family — $945 per unit; Durango Fire Protection District (DFPD) Impact Fee — residential — $1,317.00 per unit. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

The City's own published minimum is 30 business days for all submittals, with resubmittals extending that timeline further. Colorado is a home-rule state with no statewide review-time statute, so this City-published figure is the governing number.

You'll need: Building Permit Application (OpenGov portal); Full Construction Drawing Set; DFPD Fire Code Plan Review receipt. Depending on your project, Durango may also ask for: Three Springs / Twin Buttes Design Review Committee approval. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Durango requires 4 inspection(s) for a residential building permit (new single-family residence or duplex), in order: Foundation, Rough Framing, Rough Plumbing / Mechanical, Final Inspection. Schedule each through City of Durango Community Development Department, Building Division (970-375-5000).

Apply through City of Durango Community Development Department, Building Division at 949 E 2nd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301. Phone: 970-375-5000, email: Building@DurangoCo.Gov. Office hours: Not published on the Building Division pages as of this review; main City Hall line 970-375-5000. General building-permit questions: Building@DurangoCo.Gov. Fee-schedule calculation questions: 970-375-4850.. Official information: https://www.durangoco.gov/311/Applying-for-a-Building-Permit.

The City of Durango Community Development Department, Building Division issues building, plumbing/gas, and mechanical permits for all work within Durango city limits. Durango is a home-rule city with its own department; La Plata County's Building Division covers only unincorporated county areas, not the City of Durango.

No. All electrical permits and inspections in Durango are handled by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), State of Colorado Electrical Board, not the City Building Division. New electrical permits are obtained at dpo.colorado.gov/EandP/Permits.