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Electrical Permit in Fort Collins, Colorado

Required for outlets, panels, wiring, repairs, lighting, EV chargers, and other electrical work in Fort Collins. The CITY of Fort Collins Building Services issues and reviews electrical permits (not a Colorado state board directly) — but individuals performing electrical work must hold a State of Colorado electrical license, and Master Electricians must additionally register with the City of Fort Collins Contractor Licensing office to work under permits in city limits. Governed by the 2023 NEC (effective Aug. 1, 2023), matching the state-adopted electrical code.

Verified 2026-06-30 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Work included: outlets, panels, wiring, repairs, lighting, electric for ground-mounted pre-fabricated hot tubs, residential EV chargers for single-family detached/duplex/townhomes (Fast-Track eligible)
  • If more than one trade is involved, or an unheated space becomes heated, or for commercial EV chargers, submit a Remodel/Alteration permit instead of the Fast-Track Electric permit
  • Master Electricians must be licensed by the State of Colorado (Supervisor relationship) AND separately register with the City of Fort Collins (no additional City exam required for the registration) Contractor
  • General/Trade Contractors performing electrical work as part of broader scope need the applicable City of Fort Collins contractor license Contractor
  • Commercial EV charging stations require accessible parking/EV charging compliance documentation

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Electric (Fast-Track Building Permit Fee)City of Fort Collins Building Permits page — Fast-Track Permits, Electric
$65.00
EV Charger (Commercial and Multifamily) — valuation-basedCity of Fort Collins Building Permits page — Remodel and Alteration Permits, EV Charger (Commercial and Multifamily)
Up to $2,000: flat $105.00. $2,000–$25,000: $105 + $15.50 per additional $1,000. $25,000–$50,000: $461.50 + $10.50/$1,000. $50,000–$100,000: $724.00 + $6.50/$1,000. $100,000–$500,000: $1,049.00 + $6/$1,000. Above $500,000: $3,449.00 + $5.50/$1,000.
Master Electrician Registration (new/reinstatement)City of Fort Collins Contractor Licensing page — Fees table; renewal is $225.00
$300.00 (License and Supervisor's Certificate, new or reinstatement)
Sales TaxCity of Fort Collins Sales Tax page
Calculated based on total project valuation (materials and labor)

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Fort Collins building department
~0–0 business days

How long did your Electrical Permit permit actually take in Fort Collins?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Underground Electric

    With conduits installed and/or direct-burial conductors, prior to backfill (if applicable)

  2. 2

    Rough Electric

    After wiring system installed, before interior insulation; done before/concurrent with rough frame

  3. 3

    Energize Electric

    Electrical service equipment installed, wired and bonded to grounding electrode system; authorizes Fort Collins Utilities to energize for construction use; done before drywall

  4. 4

    Final Electric

    All electrical receptacles, devices, lighting and panels completed

See the full Fort Collins inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • The City of Fort Collins Building Services issues and reviews electrical permits directly — it is not administered by the Colorado DORA State Electrical Board for in-city work, though the tradesperson must still hold the underlying State of Colorado electrical license.
  • Master Electricians register with the City (no separate city exam) after providing proof of their State of Colorado license — see the Contractor Licensing 'Master Electrician and Master Plumber Registrations' section.
  • 'Energize Electric' is a distinct inspection step in Fort Collins tied to Fort Collins Utilities (the city's own municipal electric utility) setting the permanent meter.
  • Electrical systems under 25 volts / 50 watts, temporary decorative cord-and-plug lighting, and replacing same-rated breakers in the same location are permit-exempt.

Frequently asked questions

Fort Collins requires an electrical permit for: Work included: outlets, panels, wiring, repairs, lighting, electric for ground-mounted pre-fabricated hot tubs, residential EV chargers for single-family detached/duplex/townhomes (Fast-Track eligible); If more than one trade is involved, or an unheated space becomes heated, or for commercial EV chargers, submit a Remodel/Alteration permit instead of the Fast-Track Electric permit; Master Electricians must be licensed by the State of Colorado (Supervisor relationship) AND separately register with the City of Fort Collins (no additional City exam required for the registration); General/Trade Contractors performing electrical work as part of broader scope need the applicable City of Fort Collins contractor license; Commercial EV charging stations require accessible parking/EV charging compliance documentation. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Fort Collins — Building Services at 970-416-2740 before starting work.

A standard Fast-Track Electric permit (outlets, panels, wiring, lighting, residential EV chargers) has a flat Building Permit Fee of $65, plus applicable sales tax on project valuation.

Plan review for an electrical permit in Fort Collins typically runs 0–0 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with City of Fort Collins — Building Services at 970-416-2740.

You'll need: Electric Permit Application (PDF, 432KB); Master License Registration Packet (PDF, 620KB). Depending on your project, Fort Collins may also ask for: Homeowner Affidavit (PDF, 469KB); Owner Authorization Form (PDF, 374KB). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Fort Collins requires 4 inspection(s) for an electrical permit, in order: Underground Electric, Rough Electric, Energize Electric, Final Electric. Schedule each through City of Fort Collins — Building Services (970-416-2740).

Apply through City of Fort Collins — Building Services at 281 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524. Phone: 970-416-2740, email: BuildingServices@fortcollins.gov. Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Official information: https://www.fortcollins.gov/Business/Building-and-Development/Building-Services.

Fort Collins, Colorado has adopted: 2024 International Building Code (IBC) with 2024 Fort Collins IBC Amendments — current as of April 1, 2026 (permits submitted on/after April 1, 2026 use these; 2021 IBC available for reference until Oct. 1, 2026); 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) with 2024 Fort Collins IRC Amendments — current as of April 1, 2026; 2024 International Energy Code (IECC) with 2024 Fort Collins IECC Amendments — current as of April 1, 2026; Fort Collins amendments add all-electric building provisions, solar-ready zone requirements, heat-pump and demand-response requirements (see localAmendments); 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) with 2024 Fort Collins IMC Amendments; 2024 International Fuel and Gas Code (IFGC) with 2024 Fort Collins IFGC Amendments; 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with 2024 Fort Collins IPC Amendments (Fort Collins uses the IPC, not the UPC); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), effective Aug. 1, 2023 — adopted directly, matching the State of Colorado's adopted electrical code; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) with 2024 Fort Collins IEBC Amendments; 2024 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) with 2024 Fort Collins IPMC Amendments; 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) with 2024 Fort Collins ISPSC Amendments; 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (adopted statewide, current as of April 1, 2026); 2017 ICC A117.1 — Accessibility, plus Colorado Accessibility State Law (CRS 9-5); Poudre Fire Authority Fire Code — see PFA's Fire Code webpage for current adopted fire code (separate department, not administered by Building Services). Local amendments apply — see the Fort Collins overview page for the full list.

The City of Fort Collins Building Services issues and reviews electrical permits for all work within city limits. However, the electrician performing the work must hold a State of Colorado electrical license, and Master Electricians must additionally register with the City of Fort Collins Contractor Licensing office (a registration, not a separate exam) before pulling permits.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.

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 Fort Collins building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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