Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Fort Collins, Colorado
Required for new single-family homes, townhomes, and duplex/ADU new construction in Fort Collins. Reviewed against the 2024 IRC with 2024 Fort Collins Amendments and the 2024 IECC with Fort Collins energy/green amendments. Fee is calculated from the Fee Schedules occupancy-based rate table (R-3 = $0.65/sq ft), split 35% Plan Check / 65% Building Permit.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Submit one permit per detached structure
- Plans must comply with the 2024 IRC with Fort Collins Amendments and 2024 IECC with Fort Collins Amendments (current as of April 1, 2026)
- Residential Energy Code Compliance Form required
- Residential Mechanical Systems Design Submittal (Manual J/D/S load calcs) required for new mechanical systems
- Grading Plan Requirements form required
- Construction Waste and Recycling Management Declaration of Responsibility + Construction Waste Management Report required
- Homeowner Affidavit required if a homeowner is doing the work (self-permitting allowed for owner's own single-family residence, per Contractor Licensing exemptions)
- New Construction Building Permit Fee Form required
- Fee calculated from occupancy category (R-3 Single Family Detached/Duplex = $0.65/sq ft) via the Fee Schedules page: 35% Plan Check Fee due at application, 65% Building Permit Fee due at issuance
- Transportation Capital Expansion Fees (TCEF) apply for new buildings that create additional traffic
Required documents
- Req
Residential Building Permit Application (PDF, 558KB)
Primary application form for new residential construction, emailed to buildingservices@fortcollins.gov
- Req
New Construction Building Permit Fee Form
Used with the Fee Schedules occupancy-rate table to calculate Plan Check and Building Permit fees
- Req
Residential Energy Code Compliance Form
Demonstrates compliance with the 2024 IECC and Fort Collins energy amendments
- Req
Residential Mechanical Systems Design Submittal
Manual J/D/S load calculations for new mechanical heating/cooling systems
- Req
Grading Plan Requirements
Site drainage and grading plan per city drainage requirements for residential permits
- Req
Construction Waste and Recycling Management Declaration of Responsibility + Report
Waste diversion documentation required for new construction
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — R-3 (Single Family Detached/Duplex) | $0.65 per square foot of project area | City of Fort Collins Fee Schedules page — Applicable Fee Rates Per Square Foot table; example given: 3,500 sq ft x $0.65 = $2,275 total |
| Plan Check Fee | 35% of total fee, due at application | City of Fort Collins Fee Schedules page — Fees for New Construction Projects |
| Building Permit Fee (remainder) | 65% of total fee, due at permit issuance | City of Fort Collins Fee Schedules page |
| Sales Tax | Calculated based on total project valuation (materials and labor) | City of Fort Collins Sales Tax page — current rates apply; billed via project cost reports at close-out |
| Transportation Capital Expansion Fee (TCEF) | Varies — applies to new buildings/major changes that create additional traffic | City of Fort Collins Fee Schedules page; exact amount not itemized on the general fee page — confirm at application |
Review timeline
~0–0 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Fort Collins building department
Inspection process
- 1
Setback and Footing
Inspection of footing formwork prior to concrete being poured
- 2
Foundation
Inspection of foundation formwork prior to concrete being poured
- 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
Insulation
After all rough inspections approved, verifies air sealing and R-values match approved energy documents, before drywall
- 5
Final Building
After all work shown on approved plans is complete, including Final Plumbing, Final Electric, and Final Mechanical
Tips
- New building codes (2024 IRC, IBC, IECC and Fort Collins Amendments) took effect April 1, 2026 — the prior 2021-cycle codes remain available for reference only until Oct. 1, 2026.
- Fort Collins uses an occupancy-based per-square-foot fee (not a valuation-based sliding table like Denver or Reno) — R-3 (single-family detached/duplex) is $0.65/sq ft.
- Homeowners may self-permit their own single-family residence under Contractor Licensing exemptions, subject to conditions — contact the city to confirm eligibility.
- Fort Collins' frost depth is 30 inches and Seismic Design Category is B — both notably different from nearby Reno, NV (24 in. frost / SDC D2).
Frequently asked questions
- What building code edition does Fort Collins use?
- As of April 1, 2026, Fort Collins requires the 2024 International Building Code and International Residential Code with Fort Collins Amendments, plus the 2024 IECC with Fort Collins energy amendments. The prior 2021-cycle codes remain available for reference until Oct. 1, 2026.
- How is the building permit fee calculated in Fort Collins?
- Fort Collins calculates new-construction fees by multiplying total project square footage by an occupancy-category rate (e.g., $0.65/sq ft for R-3 single-family/duplex). The total is split 35% Plan Check Fee (due at application) and 65% Building Permit Fee (due at issuance).
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- City of Fort Collins — Building Services — official building department
- City of Fort Collins — Building Permits (New Construction Permits section)
- City of Fort Collins — Fee Schedules (Building Permit Fees / Fee Rate table)
- City of Fort Collins — Building Code (adopted 2024 codes, design criteria)
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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