This is PermitBase’s published record for Sterling 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 It has since been superseded — see the current record.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.
Sterling building permits
VerifiedSterling, Colorado — as published 2026-08-14.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
Required to erect a new one- or two-family dwelling within Sterling city limits. Reviewed under the 2018 IRC (with Appendices F and H) as locally adopted, plus the 2018 IECC. Issued by the City of Sterling Public Works Department, Code Enforcement Division. Electrical and plumbing work on the project is permitted separately through the State of Colorado, not the City.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Plans must comply with the 2018 IRC as adopted (Appendices F and H included; IRC § R313 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems is omitted in its entirety) and the 2018 IECC
- Exterior wall water-resistive barrier required per IRC § R703.2 (one layer No. 15 asphalt felt, ASTM D226 Type 1, or approved equivalent) before any exterior veneer
- Director of Public Works must determine the site is reasonably safe from flooding, or flood-resistant design/construction methods must be used (Municipal Code § 5-2(1))
- If public improvements (street paving, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, drainage) are necessitated by the construction, they must be built and dedicated to the City per City of Sterling Engineering Specifications, as a condition of the permit (Municipal Code § 5-2(2))
- Proof of a current City of Sterling contractor's license is required before permit issuance, unless the Director of Public Works determines no licensable contractor will work on the project (Municipal Code § 5-2(3))
- Electrical and plumbing work is NOT part of this City permit — it is separately permitted and inspected by the State of Colorado (DORA); the City makes state permit application forms available at the Public Works Department
- Storage sheds 120 sq. ft. or smaller are exempt from permitting
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationCity of Sterling Building Permit Application form (obtain current version from Public Works; harbart@sterlingcolo.com or (970) 522-9700 ext. 1109), listing job address, legal description, owner/contractor info, class of work, and total value/material cost
- RequiredConstruction DrawingsPlan set sufficient to demonstrate 2018 IRC/IECC compliance
- RequiredProof of Contractor's LicenseCurrent City of Sterling contractor's license (or determination that no licensable contractor is involved), per Municipal Code § 5-2(3)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1 to $500 | $23.50 | Section III, Public Works, Schedule of Charges and Fees Per Sterling City Code (Sec. 5-1 et seq.), Resolution No. 11-1-24, Series of 2024, effective January 1, 2025 |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $501 to $2,000 | $23.50 for the first $500 plus $3.05 for each additional $100, or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,001 to $25,000 | $69.25 for the first $2,000 plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $25,001 to $50,000 | $391.75 for the first $25,000 plus $10.10 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $50,001 to $100,000 | $643.75 for the first $50,000 plus $7.00 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,001 to $500,000 | $993.75 for the first $100,000 plus $5.60 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,001 to $1,000,000 | $3,233.75 for the first $500,000 plus $4.75 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,000,001 and up | $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.65 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof | — |
| City Use Tax | 4% of material cost (or 4% of at least one-half of total permit valuation if material cost is not separately listed) | Permits and Licenses page: 'a City use tax is charged based on total material cost listed on application or at least one half of the total value listed on the permit. Show full citationHidePermits and Licenses page: 'a City use tax is charged based on total material cost listed on application or at least one half of the total value listed on the permit. Material cost use tax (4%) is imposed on the privilege of storing, using or consuming in the City any construction and building materials purchased at retail.' |
| Plan Review Fee | May be required in some cases | Permits and Licenses page states plan review fees may apply but does not publish a standalone rate distinct from 'Additional plan review required by changes, additions or revisions to plan' at $50.00/hour (minimum 1/2 hour) per the Fee Schedule |
Residential Addition / Remodel Permit
Required to enlarge, alter, or repair an existing one- or two-family dwelling in Sterling, including additions, alterations, and change-of-use projects. Uses the same Building Permit Application and valuation-based fee schedule as new construction.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required to 'erect, enlarge, alter or repair' a structure, per Municipal Code § 5-1 and the Permits and Licenses page
- Class of work on the application is marked as Addition, Alteration, or Change of Use as applicable
- Reviewed under the 2018 IRC/IBC as locally adopted
- Storage sheds 120 sq. ft. or smaller are exempt from permitting
- Electrical and plumbing scope within the remodel is separately permitted and inspected by the State of Colorado, not the City
- Proof of a current City of Sterling contractor's license required before issuance, per Municipal Code § 5-2(3)
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSame form used for new construction; select Addition or Alteration as the class of work
- RequiredConstruction DrawingsPlans showing existing and proposed conditions for the addition/remodel scope
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as new construction) | $23.50 minimum, scaling per the Resolution No. 11-1-24 valuation tiers (see Residential Building Permit fee table) | Section III, Public Works, Schedule of Charges and Fees Per Sterling City Code |
| City Use Tax | 4% of material cost (or 4% of at least one-half of total permit valuation if material cost is not separately listed) | — |
Commercial Building Permit (New Construction / Major Alteration)
Sterling has NO separately named 'commercial building permit' application, checklist, or fee schedule distinct from the general City of Sterling Building Permit described elsewhere in this record. The Building Permit Application is a single generic form for all classes of work, and the Permits and Licenses page states only that 'Building permits are required to erect, enlarge, alter or repair a structure in the City of Sterling', with no residential/commercial split. What genuinely is distinct for commercial work: (1) the project is reviewed under the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) — Municipal Code § 5-31 — rather than the 2018 IRC used for one- and two-family dwellings; (2) the application's 'Official Use Only' section requires staff to record an IBC Occupancy Group and Construction Type, and tracks Fire Department and Health Department approvals alongside Zoning, Engineering, Soil Report, and Flood Plain approvals, fields not exercised for a typical single-family submission; (3) the same form's inspection log ends with a Certificate of Occupancy ('C of O') line, after Footing, Stem Wall, Under Floor, Framing, Wallboard, Masonry, and Final; and (4) establishing a new use in a commercial structure requires a SEPARATE Zoning Compliance Permit ($30.00 flat fee). This entry describes the commercial pathway through that shared mechanism rather than a distinct product.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Building Permit required for new commercial construction or major alteration, per Municipal Code § 5-1 ('erect, enlarge, alter or repair a structure') and the Permits and Licenses page — the identical statutory basis and identical City of Sterling Building Permit Application used for the Residential Building Permit entry in this file, but reviewed under the 2018 IBC (Municipal Code § 5-31) rather than the 2018 IRC
- The Building Permit Application's 'Official Use Only' page requires staff to record OCCUPANCY GROUP and CONSTRUCTION TYPE (IBC classification terms), TOTAL SQ. FT., STORIES, OCCUPANT LOAD, USE ZONE, and PARKING
- Approvals tracked on the same form 'if needed': Zoning, Fire Department, Engineering, Soil Report, Health Department, and Flood Plain — Fire Department and Health Department approval lines apply in practice primarily to commercial/institutional occupancies
- A Certificate of Occupancy ('C of O') is the final line item on the Building Permit Application's own inspection log, after Footing, Stem Wall, Under Floor, Framing, Wallboard, Masonry, and Final — per the form itself; whether the City also requires a C of O sign-off for one/two-family dwellings is not established either way (the Residential Building Permit entry elsewhere in this file does not model a C of O step)
- Establishing a NEW conforming use in a commercial structure (new or existing) requires a separate City of Sterling Zoning Compliance Permit ($30.00 flat fee, ZCPAPPL.DOC form) — per the Permits and Licenses page: 'zoning compliance permits (required for the establishment of a new conforming use in an existing commercial structure)'; the application form itself states 'No change in the use of this property shall be made without the issuance of a new zoning compliance permit for that new use'
- New commercial buildings are separately referenced on the Permits and Licenses page via a linked 'Waste Water Questionnaire' document annotated '(Required on All New Commercial Buildings)'; the questionnaire form's own directions instead describe it as required of 'All industrial users of the City of Sterling wastewater treatment system' — this file flags rather than resolves that discrepancy between the page's link text and the form's own scope language
- Electrical and plumbing work is NOT part of this City permit — filed separately with the State of Colorado (DORA), the same jurisdictional split documented in this file's Electrical Permit and Plumbing Permit entries
- Proof of a current City of Sterling contractor's license is required before permit issuance (Municipal Code § 5-2(3)); per the Charges and Fees Policy, 'If an individual is constructing his or her own commercial building, there will be no charge for a Class I, General Contractor's License, but said license will be limited to that single project'
- Director of Public Works must determine the site is reasonably safe from flooding, or flood-resistant design/construction methods must be used (Municipal Code § 5-2(1)); if public improvements are necessitated by the construction, they must be built/dedicated to the City as a permit condition (Municipal Code § 5-2(2))
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationThe same generic City of Sterling Building Permit Application used for all classes of work (obtain current version from Public Works; harbart@sterlingcolo.com or (970) 522-9700 ext. 1109); staff complete Occupancy Group, Construction Type, and approval-routing fields for commercial submissions
- RequiredConstruction DrawingsPlan set sufficient to demonstrate 2018 IBC compliance for the applicable occupancy group and construction type
- OptionalZoning Compliance Permit ApplicationSeparate $30.00 application (form ZCPAPPL.DOC, 2/3/17) required whenever the project establishes a new conforming use in the commercial structure, whether the structure is new or existing
- OptionalWastewater QuestionnaireCity of Sterling Wastewater Questionnaire; linked on the Permits and Licenses page as required for all new commercial buildings, though the form's own directions scope it to industrial users of the City wastewater treatment system
- RequiredProof of Contractor's LicenseCurrent City of Sterling contractor's license (Class I General for unlimited-scope commercial work), or an owner-builder Class I license limited to the single project, per Municipal Code § 5-2(3) and the Charges and Fees Policy
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as the Residential Building Permit entry in this file) | $23.50 minimum, scaling per the Resolution No. 11-1-24 valuation tiers up to $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.65 per additional $1,000 | Section III, Public Works, Schedule of Charges and Fees Per Sterling City Code, Resolution No. 11-1-24, Series of 2024, effective January 1, 2025 — there is no separate commercial valuation table; commercial and residential building permits share one fee chart |
| City Use Tax | 4% of material cost (or 4% of at least one-half of total permit valuation if material cost is not separately listed) | Permits and Licenses page, same use-tax mechanism documented across every other permit type in this file |
| Zoning Compliance Permit Fee (separate permit, only if a new use is being established) | $30.00 flat | Confirmed on the Zoning Compliance Permit Application form itself ('$30.00 FEE') and in the Charges and Fees Policy, Resolution No. 11-1-24, Appendix A. Zoning, item 109 ('Zoning Compliance Permit — $30.00') |
| Plan Review Fee | No dedicated 'commercial plan review fee' line item was found | The Fee Schedule publishes 'Additional plan review required by changes, additions or revisions to plan' at $50.00/hour (minimum 1/2 hour) under the Building/Mechanical fee section (the same figure… Show full citationHideThe Fee Schedule publishes 'Additional plan review required by changes, additions or revisions to plan' at $50.00/hour (minimum 1/2 hour) under the Building/Mechanical fee section (the same figure documented in the Residential Building Permit entry), plus two separate-looking figures grouped under Miscellaneous/zoning fees elsewhere in the same Resolution — 'Review fee for residential structures & accessory buildings, per hour: $25.00' and 'General reviews, per hour: $30.00' — but the Resolution does not state which of these, if any, governs commercial building-permit plan review specifically. The question is left unresolved rather than guessed. |
Tenant Improvement / Change-of-Use Permit (Existing Commercial Structures)
Sterling has no permit product separately named 'Tenant Improvement Permit.' Interior alteration work in an existing commercial building is filed as an ALTERATION on the same City of Sterling Building Permit Application documented elsewhere in this file, reviewed under the 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC, Municipal Code § 5-150, adopted in its entirety without amendment per state law) alongside the 2018 IBC. The genuinely distinct, well-documented trigger for TI-type work is the City's Zoning Compliance Permit: per the Permits and Licenses page, a Zoning Compliance Permit is 'required for the establishment of a new conforming use in an existing commercial structure,' and the Zoning Compliance Permit Application form itself states 'No change in the use of this property shall be made without the issuance of a new zoning compliance permit for that new use' — this is the mechanism that actually captures a new tenant/new use moving into existing commercial space in Sterling, distinct from (and required in addition to) any Building Permit needed for the physical alteration work itself.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Interior alteration/build-out of an existing commercial structure is filed as an ALTERATION (or CHANGE OF USE, with FROM/TO fields on the application) on the same Building Permit Application used for new commercial construction, per Municipal Code § 5-1
- Governed by the 2018 IEBC (Municipal Code § 5-150, adopted in its entirety without amendment per state law) for alteration/repair/change-of-occupancy work in existing buildings, together with the 2018 IBC for the applicable occupancy classification
- A SEPARATE City of Sterling Zoning Compliance Permit ($30.00 flat fee) is required whenever the tenant improvement establishes a NEW conforming use in the existing commercial structure — per the Permits and Licenses page and the Zoning Compliance Permit Application form itself ('No change in the use of this property shall be made without the issuance of a new zoning compliance permit for that new use')
- The Zoning Compliance Permit Application requires the City to classify the property as one of: existing conforming structure/use, existing legal nonconforming structure/use, or new conforming structure/use — see the form's 'For Department Use Only' section
- If the tenant improvement does NOT change the use of the space (e.g., a straight cosmetic remodel for the same tenant/use), the Building Permit Application's ALTERATION class of work applies without necessarily triggering a new Zoning Compliance Permit — the City's own materials tie the Zoning Compliance Permit specifically to a change/establishment of use, not to alteration work in general
- Electrical and plumbing work within the tenant space is NOT part of this City permit — filed separately with the State of Colorado (DORA), the same jurisdictional split documented in this file's Electrical Permit and Plumbing Permit entries
- Proof of a current City of Sterling contractor's license is required before issuance (Municipal Code § 5-2(3))
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSame form used for new commercial construction; select ALTERATION as the class of work, and complete the CHANGE OF USE (FROM/TO) fields if the tenant improvement changes the space's use
- RequiredConstruction DrawingsPlans showing existing and proposed conditions for the tenant-improvement scope, sufficient to demonstrate 2018 IEBC/IBC compliance
- OptionalZoning Compliance Permit ApplicationRequired whenever the tenant improvement establishes a new conforming use in the existing commercial structure (form ZCPAPPL.DOC, 2/3/17, $30.00 fee); not required if the use is not changing
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as new commercial construction) | $23.50 minimum, scaling per the Resolution No. 11-1-24 valuation tiers | Section III, Public Works, Schedule of Charges and Fees Per Sterling City Code — no separate, lighter-weight fee track for tenant improvements/alterations in Sterling's published schedule |
| City Use Tax | 4% of material cost (or 4% of at least one-half of total permit valuation if material cost is not separately listed) | — |
| Zoning Compliance Permit Fee (separate permit, only if the tenant improvement establishes a new use) | $30.00 flat | Confirmed on the Zoning Compliance Permit Application form itself and in the Charges and Fees Policy, Resolution No. 11-1-24, Appendix A. Zoning, item 109 |
Electrical Permit
Electrical permits for work within Sterling city limits are NOT issued by the City of Sterling. Per the City's own Permits and Licenses page, electrical permits are filed directly through the State of Colorado (DORA, Division of Professions and Occupations) and inspected by state electrical inspectors. The City makes the state application forms available at the Public Works Department and requires proof of current state electrical licensure before it will issue its own contractor's license to an electrical contractor.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical permits are filed through the State of Colorado, not the City of Sterling, per the Permits and Licenses page: 'Plumbing and electrical permits are filed through the State of Colorado and are inspected by local state plumbing and electrical inspectors.'
- This is consistent with Municipal Code § 5-31(b) and § 5-56(b), which except plumbing/electrical requirements (other than required-fixture references) from the City's adopted IBC/IRC
- A contractor performing electrical work in Sterling must still hold a City of Sterling Class IV Subcontractor's license (electrical is one of the listed Class IV trades) in addition to the state electrical license; Municipal Code § 9-62 requires proof of current state licensure before the City will issue that City license
- Electrical permit application forms are available from the Sterling Public Works Department even though the permit itself is a state permit
Required documents
- RequiredState of Colorado Electrical Permit ApplicationFiled with DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations (Electrical and Plumbing Permits); forms also available at Sterling Public Works
- RequiredCity of Sterling Class IV Subcontractor's License (electrical trade)Required in addition to the state permit for any contractor performing electrical work in the city; requires proof of current state electrical license per Municipal Code § 9-62
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State of Colorado electrical permit fee | Set by the State of Colorado (DORA), not the City of Sterling | Not a City-published fee; see dpo.colorado.gov/ElectricalPlumbingPermits for the current state fee schedule |
| City of Sterling Class IV Subcontractor's License (annual) | $50.00/year | Section III, Public Works, Schedule of Charges and Fees Per Sterling City Code, § 9-59, Resolution No. 11-1-24 (eff. 1/1/2025) |
Plumbing Permit
Plumbing permits for work within Sterling city limits are NOT issued by the City of Sterling. Per the City's own Permits and Licenses page, plumbing permits are filed directly through the State of Colorado (DORA, Division of Professions and Occupations) and inspected by state plumbing inspectors. The City makes the state application forms available at the Public Works Department and requires proof of current state plumbing licensure before it will issue its own contractor's license to a plumbing contractor.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Plumbing permits are filed through the State of Colorado, not the City of Sterling, per the Permits and Licenses page: 'Plumbing and electrical permits are filed through the State of Colorado and are inspected by local state plumbing and electrical inspectors.'
- Consistent with Municipal Code § 5-31(b) and § 5-56(b), which except plumbing/electrical requirements (other than required-fixture references) from the City's adopted IBC/IRC
- A contractor performing plumbing work in Sterling must still hold a City of Sterling Class IV Subcontractor's license (plumbing is one of the listed Class IV trades) in addition to the state plumbing license; Municipal Code § 9-62 requires proof of current state licensure before the City will issue that City license
- Plumbing permit application forms are available from the Sterling Public Works Department even though the permit itself is a state permit
Required documents
- RequiredState of Colorado Plumbing Permit ApplicationFiled with DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations (Electrical and Plumbing Permits); forms also available at Sterling Public Works
- RequiredCity of Sterling Class IV Subcontractor's License (plumbing trade)Required in addition to the state permit for any contractor performing plumbing work in the city; requires proof of current state plumbing license per Municipal Code § 9-62
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State of Colorado plumbing permit fee | Set by the State of Colorado (DORA), not the City of Sterling | Not a City-published fee; see dpo.colorado.gov/ElectricalPlumbingPermits for the current state fee schedule |
| City of Sterling Class IV Subcontractor's License (annual) | $50.00/year | Section III, Public Works, Schedule of Charges and Fees Per Sterling City Code, § 9-59, Resolution No. 11-1-24 (eff. 1/1/2025) |
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for installation, alteration, or repair of heating, cooling, and ventilation systems in Sterling, using a dedicated Mechanical Permit Application. Governed by the 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) as locally adopted, and billed under the same valuation-based fee table as building permits.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for mechanical systems, defined by the Permits and Licenses page as including 'heating, cooling, & ventilation systems'
- Governed by the 2018 IMC (Municipal Code § 5-43) and, for fuel-gas equipment, the 2018 IFGC (Municipal Code § 5-140)
- Application requires class of work (New/Addition/Alteration/Demolition) and fuel type (Natural Gas or Liquid Petroleum Gas) where applicable
- Proof of a current City of Sterling contractor's license required (mechanical/HVAC is one of the Class IV Subcontractor trades, or may be included under a Class I/II license holder's scope)
Required documents
- RequiredMechanical Permit ApplicationCity of Sterling Mechanical Permit Application form, listing owner/contractor info, class of work, fuel type, total value, material cost, permit fee, and use tax
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Permit Fee (same valuation-based table as Building Permits) | $23.50 minimum, scaling per the Resolution No. 11-1-24 valuation tiers | Section III, Public Works, Schedule of Charges and Fees Per Sterling City Code: 'Building and Mechanical Permit fees' share a single fee table |
| City Use Tax | 4% of material cost (or 4% of at least one-half of total permit valuation if material cost is not separately listed) | — |
Roofing Permit (Re-Roof)
Required for reroofing work on structures in Sterling, using a dedicated Re-Roof Permit Application. Governed by the 2018 IRC/IBC as locally adopted, with detailed local rules requiring complete tearoff (no overlays), ice barrier, flashing, ventilation, and a mandatory pre-mid-roof inspection in addition to the final inspection.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for reroofing, per the Permits and Licenses page ('reroofing' is listed among permit-required work)
- Only ONE layer of asphalt shingles allowed (2018 IRC § R907.3(4) / § R903.5) — NO OVERLAYS; complete tearoff to the exposed deck is required, with no felt or underlayment permitted to remain
- Ice barrier required in areas with a history of ice-damming (Table R301.2(1)), per § R905.1.2: two cemented underlayment layers or a self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen sheet, extending from the lowest roof edge to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line (36 inches on slopes 8:12 or greater), except detached accessory structures without conditioned floor area
- Flashings required per § R905.2.8 / § R905.3.8 / § R905.4.6 / § R905.6.6 / § R905.8.8 or manufacturer's installation instructions, depending on roofing material
- Roof/attic ventilation required per § R806.1-R806.2 (net free ventilating area not less than 1/150 of the ventilated space, or 1/300 if 50-80% of vents are in the upper portion at least 3 ft above eave/cornice vents)
- Asphalt shingles must meet ASTM D7158 (Class G or H) for wind resistance
- Sheathing must be solid per 2018 IRC § R905.2.1 — asphalt shingles must be fastened to solidly sheathed decks
- An IN-PERSON pre-mid-roof inspection is required in addition to the final roof inspection — 'No final roofs will be completed without a pre-mid inspection'
Required documents
- RequiredRe-Roof Permit ApplicationCity of Sterling Reroof Permit Application form (ROOFAPPL 5/07), listing roof covering type, number/type of layers being removed (all layers must be removed), and new covering product
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based table) | $23.50 minimum, scaling per the Resolution No. 11-1-24 valuation tiers | Reroof applications use the same Plan Review Fee / Building Permit Fee / Use Tax fields as the standard Building Permit Application |
| City Use Tax | 4% of material cost (or 4% of at least one-half of total permit valuation if material cost is not separately listed) | — |
Demolition Permit
Required for demolition of any structure in Sterling, using a dedicated Demolition Permit Application. A flat $30.00 fee applies. Applicants must acknowledge receipt and review of the State of Colorado asbestos regulations before the permit is issued.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for demolition, per Municipal Code § 5-1 and the Permits and Licenses page
- Applicant must certify on the application that they have 'received and reviewed the attached State of Colorado Asbestos Regulations and will obtain the proper permits and abide by those rules set forth therein'
- Demolition is also listed as one of the Class IV Subcontractor's-license trades: a Class IV license for demolition work allows the contractor to deal in used building materials at the site for up to 60 days, and the contractor is liable for any damaged public property, with the license immediately revocable until damage is repaired, replaced, or paid for (Municipal Code § 9-59(4))
Required documents
- RequiredDemolition Permit ApplicationCity of Sterling Demolition Permit Application form, listing job address, legal description, owner/contractor info, and type of structure
- RequiredState of Colorado Asbestos Regulations acknowledgmentApplicant certifies receipt/review of the state asbestos regulations and agrees to obtain proper asbestos permits and follow those rules
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition Permit Fee | $30.00 flat | Section III, Public Works, Schedule of Charges and Fees Per Sterling City Code, Resolution No. 11-1-24 (eff. 1/1/2025); also printed directly on the Demolition Permit Application form |
Residential/Commercial Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
Required for installation of a rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system within Sterling city limits. Sterling's own Permits and Licenses page and 2025 fee resolution have no dedicated solar line item — the structural/racking scope is billed under the same valuation-based Building Permit fee table (Section III, Public Works, Schedule of Charges and Fees, Resolution No. 11-1-24) as other building work, and the electrical interconnection scope is a State of Colorado (DORA) electrical permit, the same as all other electrical work in Sterling. Colorado's statewide C.R.S. § 24-48.5-113 independently caps whatever fee is actually assessed for a solar energy device installation at $500 for a residential permit or $1,000 for a nonresidential/commercial permit (systems under 2 megawatts), overriding Sterling's general valuation-based fee table for this specific device type.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- A structural/racking permit is required, issued through the same City of Sterling Building Permit mechanism as the other permits recorded here (Municipal Code § 5-1 et seq.)
- Electrical interconnection is NOT issued by the City of Sterling — per the City's own Permits and Licenses page, 'Plumbing and electrical permits are filed through the State of Colorado and are inspected by local state plumbing and electrical inspectors,' the same mechanism documented for Sterling's Electrical Permit entry in this file
- Per C.R.S. § 24-48.5-113(3)(a), for a residential application or a nonresidential application producing less than 2 megawatts, 'the fees charged shall not exceed the lesser of the actual costs in issuing the permit or reviewing the application or five hundred dollars for a residential application or one thousand dollars for a nonresidential application' — this statutory cap applies to both the City's structural permit and the State's electrical permit combined, per the statute's plain 'aggregate of all charges' language
- Per C.R.S. § 24-48.5-113, the City (and the State, as the electrical permitting authority) must clearly and individually itemize all fees and taxes assessed on the permit invoice
- City Use Tax (4% of material cost, or 4% of at least half of total permit valuation) still applies to the structural/racking portion of the installation, since the statutory fee cap governs permit/review fees rather than use tax
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationCity of Sterling Building Permit Application, for the racking/mounting structural scope; obtain current version from Public Works (harbart@sterlingcolo.com or (970) 522-9700 ext. 1109)
- RequiredState of Colorado Electrical (Photovoltaic) Permit ApplicationFiled with DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations for the interconnection/wiring scope; forms also available at Sterling Public Works as a courtesy
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Combined Solar PV Permit Fee Cap (residential) | $500.00 maximum (aggregate of City structural-permit and State electrical-permit fees combined), or the actual cost of issuing/reviewing the permit if lower | C.R.S. § 24-48.5-113(3)(a) — a real, binding statewide statutory ceiling that applies regardless of what Sterling's general Table 1-A valuation-based Building Permit fee, or the State's own electrical fee schedule, would otherwise calculate. |
| Combined Solar PV Permit Fee Cap (nonresidential/commercial, under 2 MW) | $1,000.00 maximum (aggregate), or the actual cost of issuing/reviewing the permit if lower | C.R.S. § 24-48.5-113(3)(a). |
| City Use Tax | 4% of material cost (or 4% of at least one-half of total permit valuation if material cost is not separately listed) | Sterling Permits and Licenses page — a tax, not a permit/review fee, so it is not covered by the C.R.S. § 24-48.5-113 fee cap. |
Fence Permit
Required prior to installation or repair of any fence, free-standing wall, or retaining wall, or hedge, in Sterling, using a dedicated Fence Permit Application. A flat $30.00 fee applies.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for fence installation and repair, per the Permits and Licenses page
- Application requires a sketch plan showing all property lines, sidewalks, streets, alleys, easements, and improvements, plus the proposed fence, free-standing or retaining wall, or hedge
- Application must describe materials, size, and height separately for front yard, side yards, and rear yard placement
- If the property owner is not the applicant, the property owner must sign the application
- Zoning district is confirmed by Public Works as part of processing (noted on the application's department-use section)
- 'Call Before You Dig' (811 / 1-800-922-1987, Utility Notification Center of Colorado) is required by state law before digging post holes
Required documents
- RequiredFence Permit ApplicationCity of Sterling Fence Permit Application (3-page form, fenappl.doc rev. 2/14/24), including a required sketch plan page
- RequiredSketch PlanShowing property lines, sidewalks, streets, alleys, easements, improvements, and the proposed fence/wall/hedge
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fence Permit Application Fee | $30.00 flat | Printed directly on the Fence Permit Application form and confirmed in the Charges and Fees Policy, Resolution No. 11-1-24, Appendix A. Zoning, item 903 ('Fence Permit — $30.00') |
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
Sterling has no distinct electric-vehicle-charging-station permit type or fee line. As with all other electrical work in the city, an EV charger (EVSE) circuit is filed directly through the State of Colorado (DORA, Division of Professions and Occupations) and inspected by state electrical inspectors, not the City of Sterling, per the same jurisdictional split documented in the Electrical Permit entry (Sterling Municipal Code Section 5-31(b)/Section 5-56(b) except plumbing/electrical from the City's adopted IBC/IRC). The contractor performing the work must also hold a City of Sterling Class IV Subcontractor's License in addition to the state permit. Sterling's population (approximately 13,700, 2020 Census) exceeds the 10,000-resident municipal threshold in Colorado HB24-1173 (effective 8/7/2024), making the City a 'covered municipal permitting agency' required to have adopted, by 12/31/2025, either the state's model EV-charger permit code, its own objective EV-charger standards, or an affirmation of its existing review process; the City has not publicly confirmed which path it selected (nothing appears in the Sterling Municipal Code library or the City ordinance list). The State's own Electrical Permit Application/Fee Schedule (DORA State Electrical Board, effective 5/15/2019, with no update through the Board's 1/28/2026 rule revisions) bills a standalone EV charger circuit under Table B ('Commercial and other fees') at a $90.00 base fee for job valuation of $2,000 or less, plus $8.00 per additional $1,000 of valuation (rounded up), payable to the State of Colorado.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- EV charger electrical permits are filed through the State of Colorado, not the City of Sterling, per the same Permits and Licenses page language documented for the general Electrical Permit ('Plumbing and electrical permits are filed through the State of Colorado and are inspected by local state plumbing and electrical inspectors')
- A contractor performing the EV charger circuit work in Sterling must hold a City of Sterling Class IV Subcontractor's license (electrical trade) in addition to the state electrical license, per Municipal Code Section 9-62
- Electrical permit application forms are available from the Sterling Public Works Department even though the permit itself is a state permit
- Sterling (population approximately 13,700) is a 'covered municipal permitting agency' under Colorado HB24-1173; the City has not publicly confirmed which compliance path (model code, custom standards, or status-quo affirmation) it chose by the 12/31/2025 deadline — this remains an open point rather than an assumption
Required documents
- RequiredState of Colorado Electrical Permit ApplicationFiled with DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations (Electrical and Plumbing Permits) for the EV charger circuit; forms also available at Sterling Public Works
- RequiredCity of Sterling Class IV Subcontractor's License (electrical trade)Required in addition to the state permit for any contractor performing the EV charger electrical work in the city
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State of Colorado electrical permit fee (EV charger circuit — Table B, 'Commercial and other fees') | $90.00 base fee for job valuation ≤ $2,000, plus $8.00 per additional $1,000 of valuation (rounded up to the next $1,000) | State of Colorado, DORA State Electrical Board, Electrical Permit Application Fee Schedule effective 5/15/2019, Section B. Not a City-published fee; no dedicated EV/EVSE line item exists at either the state or city level, but this is the applicable valuation-based tier. |
| City of Sterling Class IV Subcontractor's License (annual) | $50.00/year | Section III, Public Works, Schedule of Charges and Fees Per Sterling City Code, Section 9-59, Resolution No. 11-1-24 (eff. 1/1/2025) |
Sign Permit
VerifiedCity of Sterling Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A to the Code of Ordinances), Chapter X (Sign Regulations), Sections 1001-1009, regulates all exterior signs within the City to protect property values, area character, and public health/safety/welfare. Sec. 1003 requires a permit and payment of fees for all signs unless otherwise provided by the chapter (no permit is required for sign maintenance or a copy change on painted/printed/changeable-copy signs). Applications are made to the Department of Public Works per Sec. 1004. Sign design/placement/size limits vary by zoning district and are set out in Table 10.1 of the chapter.
Verified 2026-08-14 · Source
Requirements
- Unless otherwise provided by Chapter X, all signs shall require permits and payment of fees; no permit is required for sign maintenance or for a change of copy on painted, printed, or changeable-copy signs, per Sec. 1003
- An application for a sign permit is made on forms provided by the Department of Public Works, including an accurate drawing showing property lines, sidewalks, streets, alleys, easements, and improvements, plus a sketch of the proposed sign and a description of materials, per Sec. 1004
- No application shall be approved unless each structure is properly designed in compliance with the currently adopted Uniform Building Code, per Sec. 1004 (Sterling's currently adopted structural code is the 2018 International Building Code per Sec. 5-31)
- A list of sign types is entirely exempt from Chapter X's provisions ("unregulated signs"), including construction signs up to 32 sq ft, directional/informational signs up to 5 sq ft, nameplates/identification signs up to 3 sq ft, political signs, real estate signs up to 16 sq ft, window signs, and several others, per Sec. 1005.2
- Certain sign types are prohibited outright in all districts: abandoned/blighted signs, signs imitating official traffic/government signs, snipe signs on trees/poles/public property, and signs on parked vehicles used primarily for advertising, per Sec. 1005.1
- Maximum sign area, setback, height, and number allowed vary by zoning district and sign type (freestanding, flat wall, under-canopy, awning, marquee, portable, banner, projecting wall, rooftop), per Table 10.1 following Sec. 1009
- No person may engage in erecting, altering, relocating, constructing, or maintaining a sign requiring a permit without holding a valid contractor's license and all required state/federal licenses, per Sec. 1005.6
- All signs must be constructed per the currently adopted Uniform Building Code and be designed to withstand specified wind loads (35 psf up to 35 ft in height, 40 psf above 35 ft), per Sec. 1007
- A permit denial under Chapter X may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment in writing within 15 days of the denial, accompanied by a fee, per Sec. 1008.6
Required documents
- RequiredSign Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the City of Sterling Department of Public Works on forms it provides; includes a site drawing and sign sketch/materials description
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Permit Fee (valuation-based) | $1-$500 valuation: $23.50; $501-$2,000: $23.50 for the first $500 plus $3.05 per additional $100 (or fraction) to $2,000; $2,001-$25,000: $69.25 for the first $2,000 plus $14 per additional $1,000 (or fraction) to $25,000; $25,001-$50,000: $391.75 for the first $25,000 plus $10.10 per additional $1,000; $50,001-$100,000: $643.75 for the first $50,000 plus $7.00 per additional $1,000; $100,001-$500,000: $993.75 for the first $100,000 plus $5.60 per additional $1,000; $500,001-$1,000,000: $3,233.75 for the first $500,000 plus $4.75 per additional $1,000; $1,000,001+: $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.65 per additional $1,000 | City of Sterling Charges and Fees Policy, Resolution No. 11-1-24, Series of 2024, effective 1/1/2025, Appendix A. Zoning, line '1004 - Sign Permit' (p.9). Confirmed by direct visual review of the fee-schedule PDF page (single-column layout, no misalignment). |
Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm System Permit
VerifiedThe Sterling Fire Department is the City's own department (Sterling Municipal Code Sec. 7-1: 'a single department of fire ... called the Sterling Fire Department'), not a separate special district. Municipal Code Chapter 7, Article II adopts the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC), with the Fire Chief serving as code official (Sec. 7-8). Per Sec. 7-9, 'Operational permits shall not be required as described in the International Fire Code; however, construction permits shall be required' — fire sprinkler and fire alarm system installations are IFC construction-permit work administered by the Fire Chief.
Verified 2026-08-14 · Source
Requirements
- The City has adopted the 2018 International Fire Code, together with Appendices A through G, per Municipal Code Sec. 7-6
- Construction permits (which cover fire protection/life-safety system installations such as sprinklers and alarms under the IFC) are required in Sterling; IFC operational permits are explicitly NOT required, per Sec. 7-9
- The Fire Chief is the fire code official responsible for enforcement and may appoint deputies, including classified firefighters; the city building-code official may also be appointed a deputy fire code official, per Sec. 7-8
- IFC Section 903.2.8 (Group R) is locally amended: an automatic sprinkler system installed per IFC Section 903.3 is required throughout buildings with a Group R fire area, EXCEPT buildings covered by the International Residential Code (i.e., detached one- and two-family dwellings/townhouses), per Sec. 7-6(b)
- Consistent with that carve-out, the City's adopted IRC (2018 edition) explicitly omits IRC Section R313 (Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems) in its entirety for one- and two-family dwellings, per Sec. 5-56(d)
- Appeals of fire code official decisions go to the public works board, which serves as the appeals board established under IFC Section 108, per Sec. 7-10
- A separate, distinct mechanism exists for ALARM MONITORING (not fire-system installation): Municipal Code Sec. 9-296 et seq. establishes an official police-department alarm monitoring system for business burglar/holdup/fire/police alarms, with its own hookup fee (amount set by City Council resolution) and false-alarm charges after 9 false alarms in a year — this is separate from, and should not be confused with, the IFC construction permit for installing a fire alarm system itself
Required documents
- RequiredFire/Building Construction Permit Application (covering fire sprinkler/alarm system installation)Submitted for review to the Sterling Fire Department (Fire Chief as fire code official) per Municipal Code Ch. 7, Art. II
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fire sprinkler/alarm construction permit fee | The City's 16-page Charges and Fees Policy (Resolution No. Show full citationHideThe City's 16-page Charges and Fees Policy (Resolution No. 11-1-24, eff. 1/1/2025) publishes no dedicated fire sprinkler/alarm permit fee line item — its Fire Department section (p.6-7) covers only apparatus/personnel response rates and a hazardous-materials fee schedule, not sprinkler/alarm construction permits. That schedule is a scanned document, so read it from the page as published rather than from a copy-paste. For the fee on a specific fire sprinkler/alarm installation, call the Sterling Fire Department at (970) 522-3823 or City Hall at (970) 522-9700. |
Zoning Compliance Permit (Change of Use)
VerifiedCity of Sterling Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A), Chapter IV (Use Regulations), Sec. 406 ('Changes in use') requires anyone seeking a change in use in any zoning district to first present the proposed change to the Director of Public Works or designee for a determination of which procedure applies, and requires that person to be issued a Zoning Compliance Permit before initiating the change and/or receiving a certificate of occupancy. This is confirmed as the specific mechanism referenced elsewhere in the Zoning Ordinance as 'Zoning compliance' on the City's own Permits and Licenses page, and priced at a flat $30.00 fee ('109 - Zoning Compliance Permit') in the City's Charges and Fees Policy.
Verified 2026-08-14 · Source
Requirements
- Any person seeking a change in use in any zoning district must first present the proposed change to the Director of Public Works or designee, who determines which procedure shall be followed, per Sec. 406
- A change in use requires that the person proposing the change be issued a Zoning Compliance Permit prior to initiating the change and/or receiving a certificate of occupancy, per Sec. 406
- Separately, Sec. 708.4 (Building, Use Change) states that any change in use of an existing building shall conform to the requirements and review procedures of the zoning district within which it is located; changes in use in nonconforming buildings are instead governed by Zoning Ordinance Chapter XI (Nonconforming Uses, Structures and Lots)
- 'Zoning compliance' is listed among the permit types the City's Public Works Department issues, per the City's own Permits and Licenses page
Required documents
- RequiredZoning Compliance Permit ApplicationPresented to the Director of Public Works or designee prior to initiating a change of use and/or receiving a certificate of occupancy
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Compliance Permit Fee | $30.00 | City of Sterling Charges and Fees Policy, Resolution No. 11-1-24, Series of 2024, effective 1/1/2025, Appendix A. Zoning, line '109 - Zoning Compliance Permit' (p.9). Confirmed by direct visual review of the fee-schedule PDF page. |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-06.
Fee schedules
Applications & forms
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 Sterling building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.