This is PermitBase’s published record for Wellington as of 2026-08-14. It has since been superseded — see the current record. A historical record reflects what PermitBase had verified at that time; it may not capture a real-world change the jurisdiction had made but PermitBase had not yet verified, and it includes any errors we later corrected. Snapshots are never edited retroactively.
Wellington building permits
Wellington, Colorado — as published 2026-08-14.
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
VerifiedRequired for new single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes in the Town of Wellington. Reviewed by SAFEbuilt, the Town's contracted building-department partner, under the 2024 IRC/IBC as locally amended (Ordinance No. 15-2025), effective January 1, 2026, plus the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code and the Colorado Model Electric and Solar Ready Code.
Verified 2026-07-23 · Source
Requirements
- 'New Buildings' are explicitly listed as a permit-requiring project type on the Town's 'Do I Need a Permit?' guide
- Plans reviewed under the 2024 IRC/IBC as locally amended by Ordinance No. 15-2025 (effective 1/1/2026), the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, and the Colorado Model Electric and Solar Ready Code
- Foundations must be designed and construction drawings stamped by a Colorado-registered design professional, based on an engineer's soils report — CONFIRMED 2026-07-23 directly against the live codified text of IRC Section R401.2 as amended by Ordinance No. 15-2025 § 2 (adopted November 12, 2025, effective January 1, 2026), retrieved via a full browser session against Municode Library (library.municode.com/co/wellington, version 'JUL 10, 2026 (CURRENT)'), which now renders full readable text (the prior 'un-fetchable JS SPA' limitation applied only to bare an automated fetch/automated fetch, not to a live browser session). Verbatim amendment text: 'All for new Group R, one and two family dwellings, and townhomes shall be designed and the construction drawings stamped by a Colorado registered design professional. The foundation design must be based on an engineer's soils report. The drawings must be noted with the engineering firm's name, specific location for design and soils report number. A site certification prepared by State of Colorado registered design professional is required for setback verification on all new Group R Division 3 occupancies.' (Ord. No. 15-2025, § 2, 11-12-25, eff. 1-1-26)
- All contractors and subcontractors must hold a current Town of Wellington Contractor License in addition to any required Colorado state trade license
- Application, plan submittal, and payment are all conducted through the Community Core/Connect online portal — mailed paper applications are not accepted
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted online via Community Core/Connect
- RequiredConstruction DrawingsStamped by a Colorado-registered design professional; foundation design based on an engineer's soils report
- RequiredTown of Wellington Contractor LicenseRequired for all contractors/subcontractors; not required for an owner acting as their own general contractor on their own dwelling
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01, Res. No. 38-2025 / Ord. No. 01-2026 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1 to $1,000 | $75 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,001 to $25,000 | $75 plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof over $1,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $25,001 to $50,000 | $391.25 plus $10.10 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof over $1,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $50,001 to $100,000 | $643.75 plus $7.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof over $1,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,001 to $500,000 | $993.75 plus $5.60 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof over $1,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,000 to $1,000,000 | $3,233.75 plus $4.75 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof over $1,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,000,000 or greater | $5,608.75 plus $3.15 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | — |
| Building Plan Review Fee (Townhomes, Single- and Two-Unit Residential) | 30% of Building Fee | — |
| Town Administrative Fee | 10% of Building Fee | — |
| Electrical Fee | From State Electrical Fee Schedule (CRS 12-23-117); no separate Town valuation table | — |
Residential Addition / Remodel Permit
VerifiedRequired for additions, basement finishes, and remodels to existing residential structures in Wellington. Falls under the Town's 'Permits With Plan Review' track and 'Residential Alterations' permit-naming category, reviewed by SAFEbuilt under the 2024 IRC as locally amended.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Reviewed under the 'Permits With Plan Review' track — requires the SAFEbuilt Building Guide packet and matching Wellington Project Checklist for the specific project type (Residential Addition, Basement Finish, or Residential Remodel)
- Structural modifications require an engineered letter
- Engineered plans by a Colorado-licensed engineer or architect may be required depending on project scope — reference the applicable Building Guide packet
- All contractors/subcontractors must hold a current Town of Wellington Contractor License
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted online via Community Core/Connect; permit category selected per the Town's Permit Naming Categories chart (e.g. 'Residential Addition' or 'Residential Remodel')
- RequiredSAFEbuilt Building Guide Packet — Residential AdditionMinimum submittal requirements for addition projects
- RequiredWellington Project Checklist — Residential Addition/RemodelTown-specific checklist supplementing the SAFEbuilt guide
- OptionalEngineered LetterRequired if the project includes structural modifications
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | — |
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as new construction) | $75 minimum, scaling per the tiers in the Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 | — |
| Building Plan Review Fee (Single- and Two-Unit Residential) | 30% of Building Fee | — |
| Town Administrative Fee | 10% of Building Fee | — |
Electrical Permit
Required for electrical installation, alteration, or repair in Wellington. Governed by the 2026 NEC as locally adopted (effective January 1, 2026). Wellington does NOT run its own local electrical contractor licensing/certification program — it defers to Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA) licensing, with SAFEbuilt performing contemporaneous state-license verification at permit issuance per SB19-156.
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Governed by the 2026 NEC as adopted by the Town, effective January 1, 2026
- Contractors must hold a current Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA) Master Electrician license — Wellington does not issue its own separate electrical trade license; a Town of Wellington general Contractor License is still required in addition to the state trade license
- SAFEbuilt conducts contemporaneous state-license verification at permit issuance per SB19-156, requiring photocopies of the Colorado driver's license, Colorado Master's license (wallet card acceptable), and Colorado Contractor license (wallet card acceptable)
- Fee set by the Colorado state-mandated electrical fee schedule (CRS 12-23-117), not a Town-specific valuation table; the Town may add a local surcharge of up to 15% above the state base rate per statute
Required documents
- RequiredElectrical Permit Application (or Electrical Service Charge / Electrical Only category)Submitted via Community Core/Connect under the 'One Stop Permits' track for standalone electrical work, or as part of a larger plan-review permit for new construction/additions
- RequiredTown of Wellington Contractor LicenseRequired for all contractors performing electrical work
- RequiredColorado State Electrical Board (DORA) License copiesDriver's license, Master's license, and Contractor license photocopies for contemporaneous SAFEbuilt verification
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Fee | Set by the Colorado state-mandated electrical fee schedule per CRS 12-23-117, with Town surcharge of up to 15% above the state base rate permitted by statute | The Town's current (effective 2026-04-01) Master Fee Schedule (Res. Show full citationHideThe Town's current (effective 2026-04-01) Master Fee Schedule (Res. No. 38-2025 / Ord. No. 01-2026) lists this line item as 'From State Electrical Fee Schedule' without a locally tabulated dollar figure. A Town-published 'Electrical Permit Fees' document shows the historical calculation method (Residential: banded by square footage; All Other: banded by installation valuation) but its dollar amounts are dated 'as of July 1, 2019' and are NOT current — omitted here rather than presented as today's rate. RE-CHASED 2026-07-23 with genuinely new avenues, still unrecoverable as a citable current figure: (1) dpo.colorado.gov (State Electrical Board) still returns a hard WAF 'Access denied' to both browser-header curl AND a live Browser-pane session; (2) the live (non-blocked) DPO 'Electrical and Plumbing Permits Homepage' (dpo.colorado.gov/EandP/Permits) confirms structurally why no static fee table is published: fees are generated dynamically inside a credit-card-gated online permit portal keyed to project-specific data, not published as a document — the DPO Permit and Inspection Forms page (checked live and via a Feb-14-2026 Wayback snapshot) lists only applications/guidelines, no fee schedule PDF; (3) that same DPO portal page confirms Larimer County itself has run its OWN local electrical inspection program since July 1, 2020 (the State Electrical Board does not inspect there), so a Wellington permit would never route through DPO's schedule directly in the first place; (4) Larimer County's own building-fees page (larimer.gov/building/fees), fetched live 2026-07-23, states '2026 Fee Schedule Coming Soon!' — even the county has not yet published a current table, and its closest Wayback snapshot (2025-03-07) is no fresher; (5) the Douglas County 'electrical-permit-app-2025.pdf' URL was re-checked on the theory its filename implied a 2025 refresh — the PDF itself is still internally dated 01/12/2023, not a new figure; (6) a City of Rifle, CO 'Effective August 2, 2024' electrical fee schedule was located but is Rifle's own home-rule locally-set valuation fee, not the CRS-anchored state schedule Wellington's ordinance references — not substitutable without misattributing a different jurisdiction's mechanism; (7) the current State Electrical Board rule text, 3 CCR 710-1 (fetched fresh via the Jan-28-2026 rule-revision version from sos.state.co.us), confirms fees are set by the Board under statute but does not embed a dollar table in the rule text itself. This is a confirmed structural non-publication (the current figure exists only inside DORA's interactive, credit-card-gated system), not a search shortfall. |
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | — |
Plumbing Permit
VerifiedRequired for plumbing installation, alteration, or repair in Wellington. Governed by the 2024 IPC as locally adopted (effective January 1, 2026). Wellington does NOT run its own local plumbing contractor licensing program — it defers to Colorado State Plumbing Board (DORA) licensing, with SAFEbuilt performing contemporaneous state-license verification per HB19-1086.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Governed by the 2024 IPC as adopted by the Town, effective January 1, 2026
- Contractors must hold a current Colorado State Plumbing Board (DORA) Master Plumber license — Wellington does not issue its own separate plumbing trade license; a Town of Wellington general Contractor License is still required in addition
- SAFEbuilt conducts contemporaneous state-license verification at permit issuance per HB19-1086, requiring photocopies of the Colorado driver's license, Colorado Master's license, and Colorado Contractor license
Required documents
- RequiredPlumbing Permit Application (or Misc. Mechanical/Plumbing/Electrical category)Submitted via Community Core/Connect; standalone plumbing work uses the 'One Stop Permits' track
- RequiredTown of Wellington Contractor LicenseRequired in addition to Colorado DORA Plumbing license
- RequiredColorado State Plumbing Board (DORA) License copiesDriver's license, Master's license, and Contractor license photocopies for contemporaneous SAFEbuilt verification per HB19-1086
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as Building/Mechanical) | $75 minimum, scaling per the tiers in the Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 | No separate plumbing-specific valuation table is published; billed under the general Building Permit Fee schedule |
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | — |
| Building Plan Review Fee (Single- and Two-Unit Residential) | 30% of Permit Fee | — |
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
VerifiedRequired for heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment installation or replacement in Wellington. Governed by the 2024 IMC as locally adopted (effective January 1, 2026). Furnace, AC, and AC/Furnace Combo replacements are processed under the Town's 'One Stop Permits — No Plan Review' track at a flat fee.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Governed by the 2024 IMC as adopted by the Town, effective January 1, 2026
- Furnace/AC/AC-Furnace-Combo replacement processed as a 'One Stop Permit' (no plan review) at a flat $75 fee
- New mechanical installation as part of new construction or an addition is reviewed as part of the combined project plan review
- All contractors must hold a current Town of Wellington Contractor License
Required documents
- RequiredPermit Application — Furnace/AC/Combo Replacement or new MechanicalSubmitted via Community Core/Connect under the applicable permit-naming category
- RequiredTown of Wellington Contractor LicenseRequired for all contractors performing mechanical work
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Furnace or AC Replacement | $75 flat | Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 |
| New Mechanical Installation (new construction/addition) | Billed under the general valuation-based Building Permit Fee schedule ($75 minimum) rather than the flat replacement fee | — |
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | — |
Roofing Permit (Re-Roof)
VerifiedRequired for residential re-roofing in Wellington. Processed under the Town's 'One Stop Permits — No Plan Review' track at a flat $75 fee. Commercial re-roofing (painting a metal roof excepted) also requires a permit.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Residential Re-roof is a 'One Stop Permit' (no plan review) at a flat $75 fee
- Commercial re-roofing requires a permit; painting a metal roof specifically does NOT require a permit, per the Town's 'Do I Need a Permit?' guide
- SAFEbuilt Building Guide Re-Roof packet and the Wellington Project Checklist Roof Replacement document define minimum submittal/material requirements
- All contractors must hold a current Town of Wellington Contractor License
Required documents
- RequiredPermit Application — Residential Roof (Asphalt or Other)Submitted via Community Core/Connect under the applicable 'Residential Roof' permit-naming category
- RequiredWellington Project Checklist — Roof ReplacementTown-specific checklist supplementing the SAFEbuilt Re-Roof guide
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roof/Re-roof | $75 flat | Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 |
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | — |
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Permit
Required for rooftop and ground-mount photovoltaic solar installations in Wellington. Falls under the Town's 'Permits With Plan Review' track ('Residential Alteration' category), reviewed alongside the Colorado Model Electric and Solar Ready Code adopted with the 2024 I-Codes.
Reviewed 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Reviewed under the 'Permits With Plan Review' track, using the SAFEbuilt PV System Building Guide and the Wellington Project Checklist PV System document
- Interacts with the Colorado Model Electric and Solar Ready Code, adopted alongside the 2024 I-Codes effective January 1, 2026, and HB22-1362's statewide solar/EV-readiness floor
- Electrical scope of the installation billed under the state-mandated electrical fee schedule (CRS 12-23-117), not the Town's building valuation table
- All contractors must hold a current Town of Wellington Contractor License plus applicable Colorado state electrical trade license
Required documents
- RequiredPermit Application — PV SystemSubmitted via Community Core/Connect under the 'PV System' permit-naming category
- RequiredWellington Project Checklist — PV SystemTown-specific checklist supplementing the SAFEbuilt PV System guide
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Fee (PV/solar electrical scope) | From State Electrical Fee Schedule (CRS 12-23-117), plus Town surcharge up to 15% above state base rate | — |
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | — |
Demolition Permit
VerifiedRequired for demolition of structures in Wellington. Listed as a distinct permit-requiring project type on the Town's 'Do I Need a Permit?' guide and processed under the 'One Stop Permits — No Plan Review' track.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Demolition is explicitly listed as a permit-requiring project type on the Town's 'Do I Need a Permit?' guide and as a distinct 'One Stop Permit' category on the Permit Naming Categories chart
- All contractors must hold a current Town of Wellington Contractor License
Required documents
- RequiredPermit Application — DemolitionSubmitted via Community Core/Connect under the 'Demolition' permit-naming category; requires the address where work is to be performed and contractor information
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition / Mitigation | $50 flat | Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 |
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | — |
Deck / Patio Cover / Pergola Permit
VerifiedRequired for uncovered decks, patio covers, pergolas, gazebos, and carports in Wellington. Falls under the 'Permits With Plan Review' track ('Residential Alteration' category).
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Reviewed under the 'Permits With Plan Review' track using the applicable SAFEbuilt Building Guide (Uncovered Decks & Porches, or Patio Covers & Carports) and matching Wellington Project Checklist
- All contractors must hold a current Town of Wellington Contractor License; homeowners acting as their own general contractor on their own dwelling do not need one
Required documents
- RequiredPermit Application — Deck, Carport/Patio Cover/PergolaSubmitted via Community Core/Connect under the applicable permit-naming category
- RequiredWellington Project Checklist — Uncovered Deck & Porches, or Patio Covers/Pergolas/GazebosTown-specific checklist matching project scope
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (valuation-based, general schedule) | $75 minimum, scaling per the tiers in the Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 | No separate flat deck/patio fee is published; billed under the general valuation-based Building Permit Fee schedule |
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | — |
| Building Plan Review Fee (Single- and Two-Unit Residential) | 30% of Building Fee | — |
Water Heater Replacement Permit
VerifiedRequired for water heater installation/replacement in Wellington. Processed under the 'One Stop Permits — No Plan Review' track at a flat $75 fee, distinct from the combined 'furnace-water-heater-replacement' bundling seen in some other Colorado jurisdictions — Wellington bills Water Heater Replacement and Furnace/AC Replacement as separate but identically priced flat-fee line items.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Water Heater Replacement is its own 'One Stop Permit' (no plan review) line item, flat $75, separate from the Furnace/AC Replacement line item (also flat $75)
- All contractors must hold a current Town of Wellington Contractor License
Required documents
- RequiredPermit Application — Water HeaterSubmitted via Community Core/Connect under the 'Water Heater' permit-naming category
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Heater Replacement | $75 flat | Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01; identical flat rate to Furnace/AC Replacement but a separate line item |
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | — |
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station / EVSE Permit
VerifiedWellington has two distinct layers relevant to EV charging: (1) A standard residential or single-unit EVSE circuit installation is not a separate permit type -- it is billed and processed through the Town's existing Electrical Permit (state-anchored CRS § 12-115-121 fee schedule (renumbered from the commonly-cited § 12-23-117 effective 10/1/2019), plus up to a 15% Town surcharge), the same 'One Stop Permits -- No Plan Review' track used for other standalone electrical work, since Wellington defers to Colorado State Electrical Board licensing and has no dedicated EV-charger fee line. (2) For EV charging SYSTEM/site installations (e.g., commercial or multi-stall charging stations), Wellington's Board of Trustees adopted Ordinance No. 15-2025 (enacted November 12, 2025) amending the Town's Land Use Code to comply with Colorado HB24-1173 (Electric Vehicle Charging System Permits Act) -- Wellington's 2020 Census population of 11,144 places it above the Act's 10,000-person 'covered municipality' threshold. Per the Town's own Planning Commission materials (September 8, 2025 meeting), staff recommended and the Town adopted the legislation's minimum Land Use Code amendment option (rather than the Colorado Energy Office's full model code, or an opt-out), establishing an administrative review process for EV charging infrastructure installations under 8 stalls.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- For a standard residential/single-unit EV charger circuit: no standalone EV-specific permit exists; apply for the Town's standard Electrical Permit through the Community Core/Connect 'One Stop Permits' track, the same as any other standalone electrical work
- Contractors must hold a current Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA) Master Electrician license, contemporaneously verified by SAFEbuilt at permit issuance per SB19-156, plus a Town of Wellington general Contractor License
- For an EV charging SYSTEM/site installation (commercial or multi-stall charging stations): subject to the administrative land-use review process established by Ordinance No. 15-2025 (enacted November 12, 2025), which amended the Town's Land Use Code to comply with Colorado HB24-1173 for installations under 8 stalls
- Wellington's 2020 Census population (11,144) exceeds the 10,000-person threshold making it a 'covered municipality' under HB24-1173, legally obligating the administrative-review/checklist and denial-appeal provisions the Act requires for covered jurisdictions that choose the custom-standards option
- Governed by the 2026 NEC as locally adopted (effective January 1, 2026), which includes Article 625 (Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System) provisions; the Town's own Building Department page separately notes 'improved energy efficiency and electrical readiness (solar, EV infrastructure)' as part of its 2024 I-Codes adoption
Required documents
- RequiredElectrical Permit Application (or Electrical Service Charge / Electrical Only category)Standard electrical permit application for a residential/single-unit EVSE circuit; submitted via Community Core/Connect under the One Stop Permits track
- OptionalLand Use Code Administrative Review Application (EV Charging System)Required only for EV charging SYSTEM/site installations (commercial/multi-stall) under the Ordinance No. 15-2025 HB24-1173 compliance amendments; not required for a single residential charger circuit
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Fee (EV charger/EVSE circuit) | Colorado State Electrical Board schedule: $90 base fee for valuation up to $2,000, plus $8.00 per additional $1,000 of valuation (rounded up) -- per the Board's May 2019 published schedule (a 2024 legislative fiscal note, HB 24-1263, documents the base state inspection fee increasing from $88 to $92 effective FY2024-25, so the current figure may be modestly higher), with a Town surcharge of up to 15% above the state base rate permitted by CRS § 12-115-121 | Same fee mechanism used for the Town's general electrical-permit entry. Show full citationHideSame fee mechanism used for the Town's general electrical-permit entry. Colorado Revised Statutes § 12-115-121 (renumbered from § 12-23-117 effective 10/1/2019). The Town's current Master Fee Schedule (effective 2026-04-01) lists the electrical line item as "From State Electrical Fee Schedule" without a locally tabulated amount -- re-chased 2026-07-20 and located the underlying State Electrical Board fee table (effective 5/15/2019, reproduced by the City of Sheridan, CO) to substantiate the actual dollar mechanism. |
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | Same flat issuance fee applied to the general electrical-permit entry |
Commercial Building Permit (New Construction / Addition)
VerifiedRequired for ground-up new commercial buildings ('New Commercial') and additions to existing commercial structures ('Commercial Addition') in the Town of Wellington. Reviewed by SAFEbuilt under the full 'Permits With Plan Review' process using the Town's dedicated Commercial Guidelines & Forms (distinct from the residential SAFEbuilt Building Guide packets), and subject to the Town's published 10-business-day first-comments commercial plan-review target and a materially higher (65% vs. 30%) Building Plan Review Fee than residential. A separate building permit from the Wellington Fire Protection District (WFPD) is also required.
Verified 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- 'New Buildings' and 'Additions' are explicitly listed as permit-requiring project types on the Town's 'Do I Need a Permit?' guide; the Community Core/Connect permit type is selected as 'New Commercial' (per the Town's own New Commercial Plan Submittal Checklist) for ground-up construction, or 'Commercial Addition' (per the Town's Commercial Kitchens and Restaurants guideline, which names it alongside 'Commercial Remodel' as a valid commercial permit type) for expansions of an existing commercial building
- All plan sheets (architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical/plumbing, and fire protection where applicable) must be stamped by a Colorado-licensed architect or engineer per C.R.S. 12-4-112, with each architectural/engineering sub-discipline's sheets bearing that discipline's own seal
- Applicants must separately apply for a building permit through the Wellington Fire Protection District (WFPD) — a distinct permit from the Town's Community Core/Connect Building Permit application, confirmed directly in the Town's own 'New Commercial Plan Submittal Checklist'
- Structural plans must include a soils report stamped by a Colorado-licensed soils engineer and structural calculations, plus a list of any special inspections required by the Building Code noted on the plan cover sheet
- Electrical plans must include load calculations, a one-line diagram, and fault current analysis
- A Town of Wellington-Approved Site Plan (title page, site plan, utility drawing, drainage plans, elevations, landscape plans) must be uploaded for New Commercial projects; the constructed job site must remain identical to the approved site plan, with any changes requiring Town approval before implementation
- A Pre-Application Meeting with the Town's Planning Department is advised (though not required) before submitting, to speed up the review process
- Restaurant and commercial-kitchen projects (new construction or addition) are subject to the Town's supplemental Commercial Kitchens and Restaurants Plan Submittal Guideline (grease interceptor sizing, Type I/II hood suppression, fire sprinklers required over 5,000 sq ft or 50+ occupants, Larimer County Health Department Certificate-of-Occupancy sign-off, and a seating plan) in addition to the standard New Commercial/Commercial Addition submittal
- All contractors and subcontractors must hold a current Town of Wellington Contractor License
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted online via Community Core/Connect; Permit Type 'New Commercial' or 'Commercial Addition'
- RequiredTown of Wellington Approved Site PlanEntire set (title page, site plan, utility drawing, drainage plans, elevations, landscape plans, etc.)
- RequiredArchitectural PlansStamped by a Colorado-licensed architect or engineer; must include floor plan, wall section detail, building section, fire-resistive construction details, code analysis, and detailed drawings for fire-rated floor/ceiling, roof/ceiling, and wall assemblies
- RequiredProject SpecificationsStamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer
- RequiredStructural PlansStamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer; includes a soils report stamped by a Colorado-licensed soils engineer, structural calculations, and a list of required special inspections
- RequiredElectrical PlansStamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer; must include load calculations, one-line diagram, and fault current analysis
- RequiredMechanical / Plumbing PlansStamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer
- OptionalFire Protection PlansStamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer; required only if a fire protection/suppression system is part of the design
- RequiredEnergy Code Compliance DocumentsDemonstrates compliance with the adopted IECC
- RequiredWellington Fire Protection District Building PermitSeparate permit obtained directly from WFPD, not the Town of Wellington — required in addition to the Town's Community Core/Connect application
- RequiredTown of Wellington Contractor LicenseRequired for all contractors/subcontractors
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01, Res. No. 38-2025 / Ord. No. 01-2026 |
| Building Permit Fee (valuation-based, same general schedule as residential) | $75 minimum for $1-$1,000 valuation, scaling through $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.15/$1,000 thereafter for $1,000,001+ (see residential-building-permit entry for full tier table) | No separate commercial-specific valuation table is published; commercial projects are billed on the same IBC 109.3 valuation schedule as residential |
| Building Plan Review Fee (Commercial and Multi-Unit) | 65% of Building Fee | More than double the 30% rate applied to townhome/single- and two-unit residential permits under the same Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 — confirmed directly from the Town's published fee table,… Show full citationHideMore than double the 30% rate applied to townhome/single- and two-unit residential permits under the same Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 — confirmed directly from the Town's published fee table, which lists 'Building Plan Review (Commercial and Multi-Unit)' as its own line item distinct from the residential rate |
| Town Administrative Fee | 10% of Building Fee | — |
| Water Capital Investment Fee (Commercial, by meter/tap size) | 3/4-inch: $16,312; 1-inch: $26,099; 1 1/2-inch: $75,035; 2-inch: $92,977; greater than 2-inch: contact Town for pricing | Ord. No. 02-2026, per the Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01's Water & Wastewater Capital Investment Fees table; applies to new commercial water taps/meters |
| Wastewater Capital Investment Fee (Commercial, by meter/tap size) | 3/4-inch: $13,362; 1-inch: $21,379; 1 1/2-inch: $61,469; 2-inch: $76,041; greater than 2-inch: contact Town for pricing | Ord. No. 02-2026, per the same Water & Wastewater Capital Investment Fees table |
| Meter Charge (Commercial, 1-inch and larger) | 1-inch: $450; 1 1/2-inch: $750; 2-inch: $2,000; greater than 2-inch: contact Town for pricing | No meter charge is listed for a 3/4-inch commercial tap (N/A on the Town's table) |
| Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) | $150 | Optional; only if a TCO is requested prior to final Certificate of Occupancy |
Commercial Tenant Finish / Remodel (Tenant Improvement) Permit
VerifiedRequired for interior tenant finish, buildout, and remodel work within an existing commercial building in Wellington. Reviewed by SAFEbuilt under the Town's Commercial Tenant Finish & Remodel Plan Submittal Checklist, subject to the same commercial plan-review process and 10-business-day first-comments target as new commercial construction, plus the same 65%-of-Building-Fee commercial plan review fee. A separate building permit from the Wellington Fire Protection District (WFPD) is also required. Restaurant and commercial-kitchen tenant finishes are subject to additional supplemental requirements under the Town's Commercial Kitchens and Restaurants Plan Submittal Guideline.
Verified 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Reviewed under the Town's Commercial Tenant Finish & Remodel Plan Submittal Checklist. NOTE — a genuine labeling inconsistency exists across the Town's own source documents: the Tenant Finish & Remodel checklist PDF itself instructs applicants to select Community Core/Connect permit type 'New Commercial' (step 3a), while the Town's separate Commercial Kitchens and Restaurants guideline lists 'Commercial Remodel' and 'Commercial Addition' as the applicable permit types for the same category of work. This file does not guess which label is authoritative — applicants should confirm the correct Community Core category with SAFEbuilt or the Building Department before applying
- Structural plans are required for any structural changes such as removal of bearing walls, openings in bearing walls, or floor systems added for storage
- Electrical plans are required for adding circuits, service upgrades, or emergency lighting, and must include load calculations, one-line diagrams, and fault current analysis
- Mechanical plans are required for HVAC equipment changes, relocation, or ductwork/refrigeration piping changes; plumbing plans are required for any changes to sewers, drains, vents, water piping, roof drains, or gas piping
- Applicants must separately apply for a building permit through the Wellington Fire Protection District (WFPD), distinct from the Town's Community Core/Connect application
- Restaurant/commercial-kitchen tenant finishes additionally require: a grease interceptor sized per the adopted Plumbing Code (or engineer-designed and jurisdiction-approved) for grease-producing operations; a Type I hood with approved suppression for grease/smoke-producing cooking appliances; a Type II hood for heat/steam-producing equipment that doesn't produce grease/smoke; a fire sprinkler system if the space exceeds 5,000 sq ft or has 50+ occupants; two exits with panic hardware for 50+ occupant loads (not passing through kitchen/storage/similar spaces); Larimer County Health Department approval as a condition of Certificate of Occupancy; and a seating plan for indoor/outdoor dining areas
- All plan sheets must be stamped by a Colorado-licensed architect or engineer per C.R.S. 12-4-112
- All contractors must hold a current Town of Wellington Contractor License
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted online via Community Core/Connect; permit type category has a confirmed naming inconsistency across the Town's own documents (see requirements) — confirm with SAFEbuilt/Building Department before applying
- RequiredArchitectural PlansStamped by a Colorado-licensed architect or engineer; must include floor plan, wall section details, building section, fire-rating details, and code summary
- OptionalStructural PlansStamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer; required only if the project includes structural changes (e.g., bearing wall removal, openings in bearing walls, storage floor systems)
- OptionalElectrical PlansStamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer; required only if the project adds circuits, upgrades service, or adds emergency lighting
- OptionalMechanical / Plumbing PlansStamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer; required only if the project changes HVAC or plumbing systems
- RequiredEnergy Code Compliance DocumentsDemonstrates compliance with the adopted IECC
- RequiredWellington Fire Protection District Building PermitSeparate permit obtained directly from WFPD, not the Town of Wellington
- OptionalGrease Interceptor / Type I-II Hood Suppression DocumentationRestaurant/commercial-kitchen tenant finishes only, per the Commercial Kitchens and Restaurants Plan Submittal Guideline
- OptionalHealth Department Approval LetterRestaurant/commercial-kitchen tenant finishes only; a letter, email, or fax from the Larimer County Health Department is required on the jobsite before final inspection will be approved, and is a condition of Certificate of Occupancy
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 |
| Building Permit Fee (valuation-based, same general schedule as residential) | $75 minimum for $1-$1,000 valuation, scaling per the tiers in the Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 (see residential-building-permit entry for full tier table) | No separate tenant-finish-specific valuation table is published |
| Building Plan Review Fee (Commercial and Multi-Unit) | 65% of Building Fee | Same commercial rate applied to new commercial construction — confirmed directly from the Town's Fee Schedule, which does not distinguish new construction from tenant finish/remodel within the 'Commercial and Multi-Unit' plan review line item |
| Town Administrative Fee | 10% of Building Fee | — |
| Water / Wastewater Capital Investment Fee | Only applicable if the tenant finish requires a new or upsized commercial water tap/meter — see the commercial-building-permit entry's Water/Wastewater Capital Investment Fee tiers by meter size | Not typically triggered by a like-for-like interior tenant finish with no change to water service |
Sign Permit
VerifiedRequired for most permanent and many temporary signs in Wellington under Land Use Code Section 15-5-80 (Signs). A sign permit is a distinct Land Use Code administrative approval issued by the Building and Planning Department under LUC Section 15-2-140 -- it is separate from, and does NOT satisfy, the building permit requirement under Chapter 18 of the Municipal Code for the sign's physical/structural/electrical installation; an applicant must obtain both. Minor exempt signs (accessory structures/fences/signs 'otherwise not requiring a building permit') route instead through a simplified $30 Zoning Permit.
Verified 2026-08-14 · Source
Requirements
- Each sign permit requires a separate application, filed on a form furnished by the Building and Planning Department, with payment of the non-refundable permit fee (LUC Sec. 15-2-140(a))
- A sign permit does NOT satisfy the requirement for a building permit under Chapter 18 of the Wellington Municipal Code -- an applicant must obtain all necessary permits for the construction and installation of a sign (LUC Sec. 15-5-80(b)(1)(e))
- Exemptions from the sign permit requirement (LUC Sec. 15-5-80(b)(2)): signs no larger than 1 square foot in area; signs placed on a fence (other than permitted temporary signs); flags; merchandise visible through a window/window display; indoor signs not visible from outside the structure; and signs not visible off-site
- Repairs, changes of parts, and preventive maintenance of an existing sign do not require a new sign permit (LUC Sec. 15-5-80(b)(1)(b))
- Clearance: a projecting sign, awning sign, canopy sign, or other sign extending over a sidewalk or driveway must maintain at least 9 feet of clearance above grade (LUC Sec. 15-5-80)
- Electronic reader boards: message must not change more frequently than once per minute; no scrolling/animation/zoom/fade/dissolve/exploding or other simulated movement in the message or its transition; must consist of a black or similar dark background; must have ambient light monitors capping brightness at 5,000 nits during daylight hours and 500 nits from dusk to dawn; and may not be displayed within 150 feet of a dwelling unit
- Manual and electronic reader boards are permitted only as indicated in the sign standards for each zoning district, expressed as a maximum percentage of sign face area; residential uses in residential zone districts may not include reader boards at all (electronic reader boards additionally barred for residential developments)
- Signs may encroach on bufferyards and setbacks generally required by the Land Use Code, but must comply with whatever sign-specific setback is provided for that sign type
- A sign permit becomes null and void if installation does not commence within 180 days of permit approval; if authorized work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencing, a new permit is required to complete the installation, even with no changes to the original sign plan (LUC Sec. 15-2-140(d))
- The Building and Planning Department may revoke a sign permit if it was issued in error, or if the sign/sign-supporting structure is installed contrary to the approved plans or in violation of Section 15-5-80 (LUC Sec. 15-2-140(e))
- A simplified $30 Zoning Permit (not the full LUC Sec. 15-2-140 Sign Permit) covers signs 'otherwise not requiring a building permit,' processed the same way as the Town's Zoning Permit for small accessory structures/fences, per the Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01
Required documents
- RequiredSign Permit ApplicationFurnished by the Building and Planning Department; applicant must submit all information requested on the form
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Chapter 18)Separately required for the sign's physical construction/installation/electrical scope -- a sign permit under LUC Sec. 15-2-140 does not substitute for this
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Permit Fee (LUC Sec. 15-2-140 full sign permit) | LUC Sec. 15-2-140(a) requires payment of 'the non-refundable permit fee' but the Town's Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 (Planning and Zoning Fees section) does not carry a line item explicitly… Show full citationHideLUC Sec. 15-2-140(a) requires payment of 'the non-refundable permit fee' but the Town's Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 (Planning and Zoning Fees section) does not carry a line item explicitly labeled 'Sign Permit' distinct from the $30 Zoning Permit line -- checked the full Planning and Zoning Fees table directly (PDF text-extracted and visually spot-checked). Confirm the current sign permit fee with the Building and Planning Department before applying. | |
| Zoning Permit (accessory structures under 120 sq ft, fences, and signs otherwise not requiring a building permit) | $30 | Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 (Res. No. Show full citationHideFee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 (Res. No. 38-2025 / Ord. No. 01-2026), Planning and Zoning Fees section -- the only sign-referencing dollar figure found in the Town's published fee schedule; applies to signs that fall within this exempt/minor category rather than the full LUC Sec. 15-2-140 Sign Permit |
Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm System Permit
VerifiedFire sprinkler, fire alarm, underground fire line, and special extinguishing (hood suppression / FM-200) system permits in Wellington are issued not by the Town's Building Department/SAFEbuilt, but by the Wellington Fire Protection District (WFPD)'s Fire Prevention Division, a separately incorporated special district (8130 3rd Street, P.O. Box 10, Wellington, CO 80549). WFPD's own Contractors -- Plan Reviews/Permits page and its downloadable Plan Review Application (with a printed Fee Schedule on page 2) were fetched directly and confirm real, current permit, submittal, review-timeline, and fee information -- deepening this file's prior 'reachable but not content-verified beyond reachability' note on the WFPD site (see commercial-building-permit and commercial-tenant-improvement-permit entries). WFPD has adopted the 2024 International Fire Code, as amended (confirmed directly from its own adoption exhibit), consistent with the Town's own 2024 IFC adoption effective January 1, 2026.
Verified 2026-08-14 · Source
Requirements
- WFPD's Fire Prevention Division requires plan review and permit issuance BEFORE installation for: underground fire lines, fire sprinkler systems, and fire alarm systems (commercial, multifamily, and attached single family), plus commercial kitchen hood suppression systems -- per WFPD's own Contractors -- Plan Reviews/Permits page
- Submittal requires: a completed Plan Review Application (Application for Construction or Fire Protection System Permit), two sets of stamped hard-copy or electronically stamped digital plans, and related material cut sheets and calculations; sprinkler plans additionally require hydraulic calculations for each design area
- Plans and cut sheets are submitted to WFPD's office at 8130 3rd Street (entrance on McKinley Ave) or emailed to wfpd@wfpd.org
- Plans are reviewed first-in, first-out; the review process does not begin until the submittal is complete
- All permits related to a project must be issued, signed off, and on the job site BEFORE a final inspection is requested; work performed without a permit, or a final inspection requested before required permits are on site, may be subject to fines under the adopted International Fire Code
- At least 2 business days' advance notice is required to schedule an inspection
- Payment of the plan review/permit fee is required upon submitting the review (per the Plan Review Application itself); permit fees and re-inspection fees are collected pursuant to Section 32-1-1002(1)(e)(II), C.R.S., the special-district fee statute
- This is a permit process separate from, and in addition to, the Town of Wellington's own Building Department/SAFEbuilt building permit for the same project -- the commercial-building-permit and commercial-tenant-improvement-permit entries in this file already document that a separate WFPD building permit is required for new commercial construction and tenant finish work
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Construction or Fire Protection System Permit (WFPD Plan Review Application)Two sets of stamped hard-copy or electronically stamped digital plans required with the completed application
- RequiredMaterial Cut Sheets and CalculationsMust include ALL equipment, parts, and materials the contractor will use to install the fire protection/fire alarm system; sprinkler submittals additionally require hydraulic calculations for each design area and procedural manuals
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Fire Alarm or Sprinkler System | $260 flat fee | WFPD Plan Review Application, page 2 Fee Schedule -- verified by rendering the PDF to an image and reading the fee table visually (single-column layout, not a misaligned multi-column table) |
| Special Extinguishing Systems (includes hood systems and FM-200 systems) | $260 flat fee | WFPD Plan Review Application, page 2 Fee Schedule |
| Commercial Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Applications | $260 base fee, plus $2 per initiating device/sprinkler head, plus $100 per additional riser | WFPD Plan Review Application, page 2 Fee Schedule |
| Additional Inspections | $200 for the first two hours (minimum), $75.00 for each additional hour or portion thereof | Also covers requests for Temporary Certificates of Occupancy or partial Certificates of Occupancy, per the WFPD Fee Schedule |
| Permits/Certificates Required by the International Fire Code (general) | $200.00 | Exception: no fee for open burning permits issued by the Fire District or County Fire Mitigation Officer. WFPD Plan Review Application, page 2 Fee Schedule, item 2 |
| Construction/Installation Without a Permit | Double the otherwise-applicable permit fee | Work halted until the required fee is paid, per the WFPD Fee Schedule, item 3 |
| Variance Request (Appeals Board -- alternative materials or methods) | $100.00 per request | WFPD Fee Schedule, item 4 |
| New Fire Hydrant Testing/Acceptance | $100.00 per hydrant | WFPD Fee Schedule; use of Fire Department equipment otherwise billed at a minimum per-hour, per-vehicle rate not further quantified on the form |
Change of Use / Change of Occupancy Permit
VerifiedWellington requires a building permit for any change in the occupancy of a building or structure, per the Town's own quoted IBC/IRC Section R105.1 language on its 'Do I Need a Permit?' guide, and the Town's Land Use Code separately confirms that 'change in occupancy of any building' and 'change of use' are both triggering events for Land Use Code applicability (LUC Sec. 15-1-40(a)(4)-(5)). Independently, and in addition to the Town's own process, the Wellington Fire Protection District (WFPD) requires its own separate Occupancy/Business Change Permit any time a business or occupancy changes, to allow WFPD to re-inspect the space for fire-code compliance. Unlike Site Plan Review, Conditional Use, or Variance, 'change of use' is not listed as its own distinct procedure in the Land Use Code's Article 2 procedures table (LUC Sec. 15-2-30) -- a change of use is instead processed through whichever specific Building Department or Land Use Code procedure the new use itself triggers (e.g., the general Building Permit for the occupancy-classification change itself, plus Site Plan Review, Conditional Use, or a rezone if the new use requires one under Article 4 Use Regulations).
Verified 2026-08-14 · Source
Requirements
- The Town's own 'Do I Need a Permit?' guide quotes IBC/IRC Section R105.1 verbatim: 'Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure... shall first make application to the Building Official and obtain the required permit' -- confirming a change of occupancy alone (with no physical construction) triggers the Town's general Building Permit requirement
- Land Use Code Sec. 15-1-40(a) states the Land Use Code applies to, among other things, '(4) Change in occupancy of any building; or (5) Change of use' -- meaning a change of use can also trigger Land Use Code development-application requirements (Site Plan Review, Conditional Use, etc.) depending on what the new use is and what zoning district it falls in, per Article 4 Use Regulations
- Separately and in addition to the Town's process, the Wellington Fire Protection District (WFPD) requires its own Occupancy/Business Change Permit application whenever a business's occupancy changes -- WFPD's own form states: 'This form is an application for an Occupancy Permit for the Wellington Fire Protection District (WFPD). Occupancy Permits enable WFPD to perform inspections that ensure the building and property complies with the adopted Fire Code'
- Neither a WFPD Occupancy Permit nor its associated address is transferrable -- if the permitted business relocates or adds another unit, a new WFPD Occupancy Permit application is required
- In some cases a Knox Box (rapid-entry key box) may be required as a condition of the WFPD Occupancy Permit, ordered directly through knoxbox.com under 'Wellington FPD'
- No standalone 'Change of Use Permit' application or fee line exists separately in either the Town's Community Core/Connect permit-naming categories or the Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 -- a change of use is processed through the applicable existing mechanism (general Building Permit for the occupancy-classification change itself, at minimum, plus WFPD's Occupancy/Business Change Permit, plus any triggered Land Use Code review)
- All contractors must hold a current Town of Wellington Contractor License if physical construction/alteration accompanies the change of use
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Town of Wellington, Community Core/Connect)Required for the occupancy-classification change itself under IBC/IRC Section R105.1, even absent physical construction; submitted online, no mailed paper applications accepted
- RequiredWFPD Occupancy / Business Change Permit ApplicationSeparate application submitted directly to the Wellington Fire Protection District; requests business name/address, owner and building owner information, and business type
- OptionalLand Use Code Development Application (Site Plan, Conditional Use, etc.)Required only if the new use triggers a specific Land Use Code procedure under Article 4 Use Regulations for the applicable zoning district -- not required for every change of use
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (Town of Wellington, valuation-based general schedule) | $75 minimum, scaling per the tiers in the Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01 (see residential-building-permit entry for the full tier table) | No distinct 'change of use' or 'change of occupancy' fee line is published; a pure occupancy-classification change with no construction valuation would be billed at the Fee Schedule's stated minimum tier |
| Permit Issuance | $25 flat | — |
| WFPD Occupancy / Business Change Permit Fee | WFPD's own Occupancy/Business Change Permit Application form does not itself list a dollar fee. Show full citationHideWFPD's own Occupancy/Business Change Permit Application form does not itself list a dollar fee. WFPD's separate Plan Review Application Fee Schedule lists a $200.00 charge for 'Permits and certificates, as required by the most currently adopted version of the International Fire Code' generally, which may or may not be the applicable mechanism for an Occupancy Permit specifically -- not stated as certain here. Confirm the current fee directly with WFPD (970-568-3232, wfpd@wfpd.org) before applying. |
Sources & verification
Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-06.
Fee schedules
Checklists & handouts
Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
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 Wellington building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.