Skip to main content
PermitBase

Residential Addition / Remodel Permit in Fort Collins, Colorado

Required for residential additions (garage expansions, pop-the-tops, sunrooms, enclosing a covered patio) and remodels (kitchen/bath alterations, basement finishes, layout changes) in Fort Collins. Additions use the same occupancy-based Fee Schedules rate table as new construction; interior remodels use a valuation-based tiered fee table.

Verified 2026-06-30 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Additions: enlarging/expanding enclosed area (pop-the-top, lean-to, garage expansion, sunroom, enclosing a covered patio) — fee calculated via Fee Schedules occupancy rate table
  • Remodels: kitchen/bath alterations, interior layout changes, garage/attic/accessory-building-to-living-space conversions, converting living space to bedroom, digging out a crawlspace for a basement, finishing a large attic — fee calculated via the tiered valuation-based Permit Fee table
  • Residential Mechanical Systems Design Submittal required if a mechanical system is completely new or the type of heating/cooling is changing
  • Residential Energy Code Compliance Form required when a non-heated space becomes heated
  • Construction Waste and Recycling Management Declaration of Responsibility required for additions larger than 2,500 sq ft
  • Homeowner Affidavit required if homeowner is doing the work Owner-builder
  • Basement Finish is processed as its own Fast-Track permit type with a flat $155 Building Permit Fee (see notes)

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet — 0 of 1 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our checklist will assemble all of them, free →

Fee schedule

Residential Addition — occupancy-based (Fee Schedules Table)City of Fort Collins Fee Schedules page; same occupancy rate table as new residential construction
$0.65 per square foot (R-3) of added enclosed area
Residential Remodel (Single Family or Multifamily) — valuation-basedCity of Fort Collins Building Permits page — Remodel and Alteration Permits fee table (Residential Remodels, Single Family)
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 per additional $1,000. $50,000–$100,000: $724.00 + $6.50 per additional $1,000. $100,000–$500,000: $1,049.00 + $60 per additional $10,000 ($6/$1,000 equivalent). Above $500,000: $3,449.00 + $55 per additional $10,000 ($5.50/$1,000 equivalent).
Basement Finish (Fast-Track flat fee)City of Fort Collins Building Permits page — Fast-Track Permits, Basement Finish
$155.00
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 Residential Addition / Remodel 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

    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

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

Tips

  • Additions use the same occupancy-based per-square-foot fee table as new construction; interior remodels (no added enclosed area) use a separate tiered valuation-based fee table.
  • Basement finishes are processed as a Fast-Track permit with a flat $155 Building Permit Fee — one of the simplest permit paths in Fort Collins.
  • If the entire building has a fire sprinkler system, email buildingdocs@fortcollins.gov before a basement finish submittal so staff can confirm sprinkler-type requirements.
  • Additions larger than 2,500 sq ft require Construction Waste and Recycling Management documentation.

Frequently asked questions

Fort Collins requires a residential addition / remodel permit for: Additions: enlarging/expanding enclosed area (pop-the-top, lean-to, garage expansion, sunroom, enclosing a covered patio) — fee calculated via Fee Schedules occupancy rate table; Remodels: kitchen/bath alterations, interior layout changes, garage/attic/accessory-building-to-living-space conversions, converting living space to bedroom, digging out a crawlspace for a basement, finishing a large attic — fee calculated via the tiered valuation-based Permit Fee table; Residential Mechanical Systems Design Submittal required if a mechanical system is completely new or the type of heating/cooling is changing; Residential Energy Code Compliance Form required when a non-heated space becomes heated; Construction Waste and Recycling Management Declaration of Responsibility required for additions larger than 2,500 sq ft; Homeowner Affidavit required if homeowner is doing the work; Basement Finish is processed as its own Fast-Track permit type with a flat $155 Building Permit Fee (see notes). If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Fort Collins — Building Services at 970-416-2740 before starting work.

Basement finish is a Fast-Track permit with a flat Building Permit Fee of $155, plus applicable sales tax on total project valuation.

Plan review for a residential addition / remodel 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: Building Permit Application (PDF, 619KB). Depending on your project, Fort Collins may also ask for: New Residential Addition Submittal Guide; Residential Mechanical Systems Design Submittal; Residential Energy Code Compliance Form; Basement Finish Permit Application (PDF, 501KB). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Fort Collins requires 4 inspection(s) for a residential addition / remodel permit, in order: Foundation (if new footings), Rough Frame / Rough Plumbing / Rough Electric / Rough Mechanical, Insulation, Final Building. 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.

Additions that enlarge the enclosed floor area use the occupancy-based Fee Schedules rate ($0.65/sq ft for R-3). Interior remodels without new enclosed area use a separate tiered valuation-based fee table starting at a flat $105 for projects up to $2,000 in value.

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.

Other permits in Fort Collins

Residential Building Permit (New Construction)Electrical PermitPlumbing PermitMechanical / HVAC PermitRoofing Permit (Reroof)Solar PV PermitAccessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) PermitDemolition PermitCommercial Tenant Improvement / Remodel PermitDeck / Covered Patio PermitEV Charger / Electric Vehicle Charging Station PermitSign PermitFire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm System PermitChange of Use / Change of Occupancy

Residential Addition / Remodel Permit in other cities

Akron, ColoradoArvada, ColoradoAspen, ColoradoAult, ColoradoAurora, ColoradoAvon, ColoradoBasalt, ColoradoBennett, Colorado

Compare residential addition / remodel permit fees across Colorado →

Look up this fee in a different city →

Embed this data card →

Now live

Build your Fort Collins project checklist

Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in Fort Collins — in one checklist. Sign up and pay once to generate it, or go unlimited with Pro.

Get started →