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Residential Addition / Remodel Permit in Sterling, Colorado

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.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

When you need this permit

  • 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) Contractor

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as new construction)Section III, Public Works, Schedule of Charges and Fees Per Sterling City Code
$23.50 minimum, scaling per the Resolution No. 11-1-24 valuation tiers (see Residential Building Permit 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)

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Residential Addition / Remodel Permit permit actually take in Sterling?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Footing (if new footings)

    Before concrete pour, for additions with new foundation elements

  2. 2

    Rough Mechanical

    Wiring, pipes, and ducts in place before concealment

  3. 3

    Framing

    Framing complete and tied into existing structure, rough mechanical/plumbing/electrical approved, before insulation/wallboard

  4. 4

    Wall Board

    Gypsum board/lathing in place before taping/finishing

  5. 5

    Final Building Inspection

    After final mechanical, electrical (state), and plumbing (state) inspections are signed off

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

Tips

  • The same valuation-based fee table and 4% use tax apply to additions/remodels as to new construction — there is no separate, lighter-weight fee track for remodels in Sterling's published schedule.
  • If your remodel touches electrical or plumbing systems, that portion still routes to the State of Colorado for permitting/inspection, not the City.

Frequently asked questions

Sterling requires a residential addition / remodel permit for: 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). If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Sterling Public Works Department, Code Enforcement Division at (970) 522-9700, ext. 1109 (Marianne, permits and licenses); main line (970) 522-9700; fax (970) 521-0632 before starting work.

In Sterling, the published Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as new construction) is: $23.50 minimum, scaling per the Resolution No. 11-1-24 valuation tiers (see Residential Building Permit fee table). Additional published fees: 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). These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Sterling does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Sterling Public Works Department, Code Enforcement Division at (970) 522-9700, ext. 1109 (Marianne, permits and licenses); main line (970) 522-9700; fax (970) 521-0632 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Building Permit Application; Construction Drawings. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Sterling requires 5 inspection(s) for a residential addition / remodel permit, in order: Footing (if new footings), Rough Mechanical, Framing, Wall Board, Final Building Inspection. Schedule each through City of Sterling Public Works Department, Code Enforcement Division ((970) 522-9700, ext. 1109 (Marianne, permits and licenses); main line (970) 522-9700; fax (970) 521-0632).

Apply through City of Sterling Public Works Department, Code Enforcement Division at 421 N. 4th Street, P.O. Box 4000, Sterling, CO 80751. Phone: (970) 522-9700, ext. 1109 (Marianne, permits and licenses); main line (970) 522-9700; fax (970) 521-0632, email: harbart@sterlingcolo.com (permits and licenses); pubworks@sterlingcolo.com (general Public Works). Office hours: Not published on the Permits and Licenses page as of this review; inspection requests are scheduled by phone at (970) 522-9700, with a stated same-day/next-day cutoff (see reviewTimelineNote on inspections below).. Official information: https://www.sterlingcolo.com/departments/public_works/permits_and_licenses.php.

Sterling, Colorado has adopted: 2018 International Building Code (IBC), with Appendices A, E, and I — City of Sterling Municipal Code § 5-31, adopted by Ord. No. 5-2023 (eff. 6/13/23); a copy is kept at the City Clerk's office for public inspection; 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), with Appendices F and H — Municipal Code § 5-56, adopted by Ord. No. 7-2023 (eff. 6/13/23); IRC Section R313 (Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems) is expressly omitted in its entirety; 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — Municipal Code § 5-43, adopted by Ord. No. 6-2023 (eff. 6/13/23); 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — Municipal Code § 5-106, adopted by Ord. No. 8-2023 (eff. 6/13/23); 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — Municipal Code § 5-140, adopted by Ord. No. 9-2023 (eff. 6/13/23); 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), with Appendices B and C, adopted in its entirety without amendment per state law — Municipal Code § 5-150, adopted by Ord. No. 10-2023 (eff. 6/13/23); Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, 1994 Edition (ICBO) — Municipal Code § 5-16, as amended by Ord. Nos. 12-1992, 26-1995, and 2-2009; Any references to plumbing or electrical requirements (except required-fixture references) are explicitly EXCEPTED from both the IBC and IRC as locally adopted — Municipal Code § 5-31(b) and § 5-56(b) — because plumbing and electrical permitting/inspection in Sterling is handled by the State of Colorado, not the City; Manufactured/mobile home installations follow C.R.S. § 24-32-3101 et seq. rather than a City-adopted installation code — Municipal Code § 5-121. Local amendments apply — see the Sterling overview page for the full list.

Yes. The City's Permits and Licenses page and Municipal Code § 5-1 require a permit to enlarge, alter, or repair a structure within city limits.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-06.

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.

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