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Fort Collins building inspections

Verified

Inspection sequence, scheduling, and re-inspection fees for building permits in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Verified 2026-06-30 · Source

How to schedule

Inspections are requested through the building department below.

Address
281 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone
970-416-2740
Office hours
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Inspection sequence

Applies to: Residential Building Permit (New Construction)

  1. 1

    Setback and Footing

    Inspection of footing formwork prior to concrete being poured

  2. 2

    Foundation

    Inspection of foundation formwork prior to concrete being poured

  3. 3

    Rough Frame / Rough Plumbing / Rough Electric / Rough Mechanical

    Framing, plumbing, electric, and mechanical rough-ins — done before or concurrently, before interior insulation installed

  4. 4

    Insulation

    After all rough inspections approved, verifies air sealing and R-values match approved energy documents, before drywall

  5. 5

    Final Building

    After all work shown on approved plans is complete, including Final Plumbing, Final Electric, and Final Mechanical

Applies to: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit

  1. 1

    Setback and Footing / Foundation

    Before concrete pour, per structural plans

  2. 2

    Rough Frame / Rough Plumbing / Rough Electric / Rough Mechanical

    Structural framing, egress windows, fire separation (attached ADUs), and trade rough-ins

  3. 3

    Insulation

    Air sealing and R-value verification before drywall

  4. 4

    Final Building

    All work complete; Certificate of Occupancy or Letter of Completion required before occupancy

Applies to: Electrical Permit

  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

Applies to: Mechanical / HVAC Permit

  1. 1

    Gas Line Test

    After gas piping/fittings/unions/valves installed, before covered or connected to fixtures; 10 psi air test required

  2. 2

    Rough Mechanical

    After ductwork installed and sealed; before/concurrent with rough frame, before interior insulation

  3. 3

    Fireplace/Stove (if applicable)

    Concurrent with frame inspection; factory-built units inspected after chimney framing and fire-stopping complete, before covering

  4. 4

    Final Mechanical

    All registers trimmed, mechanical equipment completed and operational; approved mechanical documents required on site

Applies to: Plumbing Permit

  1. 1

    Underground Plumbing

    After under-slab/underground plumbing installed but before covering; 10-ft head water test or 5 psi air test required

  2. 2

    Water Line / Sewer Line

    Water service piping and building sewer inspected before covering; water/air test required if couplings used

  3. 3

    Rough Plumbing

    Interior domestic waste/vent complete (10-ft head water test or 5 psi air test); done before/concurrent with rough frame, before interior insulation

  4. 4

    Final Plumbing

    All fixtures and plumbing finishes installed

Applies to: Residential Addition / Remodel Permit

  1. 1

    Foundation (if new footings)

    Before concrete pour, for additions with new foundation work

  2. 2

    Rough Frame / Rough Plumbing / Rough Electric / Rough Mechanical

    Framing and trade rough-ins before insulation/wall cover

  3. 3

    Insulation

    Verifies air sealing and R-values before drywall

  4. 4

    Final Building

    All work complete per approved plans

Applies to: Commercial Tenant Improvement / Remodel Permit

  1. 1

    Rough Frame / Rough Plumbing / Rough Electric / Rough Mechanical

    Trade rough-ins for the tenant space before wall cover

  2. 2

    Hood/Duct (if applicable)

    Commercial kitchen/industrial hoods and associated ductwork, inspected before ceilings installed

  3. 3

    Final Building

    All work complete per approved plans, including accessibility compliance for commercial projects

Applies to: Deck / Covered Patio Permit

  1. 1

    Setback and Footing

    Footing formwork inspected before concrete pour, per the 30-inch Fort Collins frost depth

  2. 2

    Rough Frame

    Deck framing, ledger attachment, and structural connections before decking/covering installed

  3. 3

    Final Building

    Completed deck or patio cover inspected against approved plans

Applies to: EV Charger / Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permit

  1. 1

    Rough Electric

    Conduit runs, wire sizing, disconnect placement before cover

  2. 2

    Energize Electric

    Fort Collins Utilities meter/energize step, if the charger requires new or upgraded electrical service

  3. 3

    Final Electric

    Charger mounted, wired, and tested; all connections verified

Applies to: Solar PV Permit

  1. 1

    Rough Electric

    Conduit runs, wire sizing, disconnect placement before cover

  2. 2

    Energize Electric

    Fort Collins Utilities meter/energize step for the interconnected system

  3. 3

    Final Building / Final Electric

    Panel mounting, racking attachment, roof penetration sealing, and all electrical connections/interconnection verified

Applies to: Demolition Permit

  1. 1

    Pre-Demolition Documentation Review

    Verification of asbestos disclosure/assessment and, for complete demolition, the State Demolition Approval Notice, before work begins

  2. 2

    Final

    Confirms demolition scope complete per approved permit and site is left safe/compliant

Final inspection only: Roofing Permit (Reroof)

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