This is PermitBase’s published record for Cortez as of 2026-07-06. It has since been superseded — see the current record.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.
Cortez building permits
VerifiedCortez, Colorado — as published 2026-07-06.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
VerifiedRequired for construction of new single-family and other residential structures within Cortez city limits, per the Building Permit Application's project-type checklist ('New Residential'). Reviewed under the 2015 IBC/IRC (with the local exception of IRC Section R313, fire sprinklers, not adopted) and Cortez's own structural design criteria. Issued and inspected by the City of Cortez Division of Planning & Building; electrical work is separately permitted and inspected by the State of Colorado (DORA), not the City.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Plans must comply with the 2015 IBC/IRC as locally adopted (IRC Section R313, residential fire sprinklers, is explicitly NOT adopted in Cortez)
- Must meet Cortez's Structural Design Criteria: 30 psf non-reducible ground snow load, Wind Design 115/51, 32-inch minimum frost depth, Seismic Design Category B, 7-degree F winter design temperature, Moderate/Heavy termite infestation probability, Air Freezing Index 1500, Severe weathering exposure, and required ice barrier underlayment
- Application must declare a construction value for all applications (required field on the Building Permit Application)
- All applications must be submitted digitally with 2 sets of copies of construction documents
- A Site Plan is required (drawn to scale; not necessarily by a surveyor/engineer) along with floor plans; elevations, cross sections, foundation plan, framing plan, and utility plan (with domestic water meter size) may be required for new builds
- Public improvements (sidewalk, curb, gutter, streetscape) may be required as a condition of the permit
- Electrical work on the project is separately permitted and inspected by the State of Colorado (DORA, 800-886-7675), not included in this City building permit
- If plumbing or electrical work is performed and the property is intended for resale, rental, or is a commercial structure, Colorado law requires a licensed plumber and/or electrician
Required documents
- RequiredCity of Cortez Building Permit ApplicationSubmitted in person or by mail to Planning & Building, Cortez City Hall, 123 Roger Smith Avenue; PDF and online versions available
- RequiredSite PlanDrawn to scale (surveyor/engineer not always required); shows lot dimensions and structure placement
- RequiredFloor Plans, Elevations, Foundation Plan, Framing Plan, Utility PlanFull construction document set; specific components may vary by project scope per the Building Permit Application's attachments section
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1.00 to $500.00 | $75.00 | City of Cortez Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026, Planning and Building section |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $501.00 to $2,000.00 | $75.00 for the first $500.00 plus $4.00 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $2,001.00 to $25,000.00 | $135.00 for the first $2,000.00 plus $13.75 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $25,001.00 to $50,000.00 | $451.25 for the first $25,000.00 plus $10.50 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $51,000.00 to $100,000.00 | $713.75 for the first $50,000.00 plus $7.25 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000.00 | The fee schedule's own tier boundary reads '$51,000.00' rather than '$50,001.00' — transcribed exactly as published; treat the $50,000-$51,000 gap as a schedule quirk to confirm with the Building Division rather than a transcription choice made here |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,001.00 to $500,000.00 | $1,076.25 for the first $100,000.00 plus $6.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $500,001.00 to $1,000,000.00 | $3,476.25 for the first $500,000.00 plus $5.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000.00 | — |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,000,001.00 and up | $5,976.25 for the first $1,000,000.00 plus $4.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof | — |
| Use Tax | Charged per City Council Ordinance No. 1054, Series 2005 (8/9/2005) | The 2026 Fee Schedule references this ordinance for Use Tax but does not itemize a specific percentage rate on the Planning & Building fee page itself; confirm the current rate with the Building Division before quoting a total project cost |
Residential Addition / Remodel Permit
VerifiedRequired for additions, remodels, and structural alterations to existing residential structures in Cortez, per the Building Permit Application's project-type checklist ('Residential Remodel' / 'Residential Addition'). Normal repairs and non-structural cabinet/window/door replacement that do not alter plumbing or mechanical elements are exempt.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for residential remodels/additions involving structural alterations or changes to plumbing/mechanical elements
- 'Normal house repairs and replacement of cabinetry, windows, doors, and other items that do not require structural alterations and does not alter plumbing or mechanical elements' are explicitly EXEMPT, per the Planning & Building FAQ
- Application must state existing square footage, square footage to be added, and existing square footage to be remodeled
- Application must indicate whether the structure is listed as historic (triggers separate historic-structure review considerations)
- Site Plan required (not required specifically for re-roofs, repairs, or siding, per the Building Permit Application)
Required documents
- RequiredCity of Cortez Building Permit ApplicationCheck 'Residential Remodel' and/or 'Residential Addition' in the Project Type section; state existing/added square footage
- RequiredSite Plan and Construction DrawingsScope-appropriate plans showing existing and proposed conditions
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as new construction) | $75.00 minimum, scaling per the January 2026 Fee Schedule valuation tiers | City of Cortez Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026 |
Plumbing Permit
VerifiedRequired for installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing systems, water/sewer/gas lines, and related fixtures in Cortez. Governed by the 2009 International Plumbing Code (IPC) as locally adopted. Plumbing inspections for new construction are included in the initial building permit; standalone plumbing work is billed per a detailed unit-fee schedule.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for replacement of sewer, gas, or water lines and most plumbing alterations/extensions, per the Planning & Building FAQ
- Governed by the 2009 IPC as adopted, with local amendments linked from the Building Codes & Design Standards page
- Plumbing inspections are included in the initial building permit fee for new construction (no separate plumbing inspection fee in that case) — 2026 Fee Schedule note
- A licensed plumber is required by Colorado state law if the property is intended for resale, rental, or is a commercial structure; homeowners may self-perform on an owner-occupied home
Required documents
- RequiredCity of Cortez Building Permit ApplicationPlumbing work not part of new construction is applied for via the standard Building Permit Application process
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Each Issuing Permit | $35.00 | City of Cortez Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026, Plumbing Permit Fees section |
| Supplemental Permit | $10.00 | — |
| Each plumbing fixture, trap, or set of fixtures on one trap (incl. water, drainage piping, backflow protection) | $15.00 | — |
| Each Building/Trailer Park Sewer | $25.00 | — |
| Rainwater Systems (inside building), per drain | $10.00 | — |
| Each Private Sewer Disposal System | $50.00 | — |
| Each Water Heater and/or Vent | $20.00 | — |
| Each Gas Piping System, 1-4 Outlets | $15.00 | Each additional outlet: $3.00 |
| Each Industrial Waste Interceptor (incl. trap and vent, excepting kitchen-type grease interceptors) | $15.00 | — |
| Installation, Alteration, or Repair of Water Piping and/or Water Treating Equipment | $15.00 | — |
| Each Lawn Sprinkler System on any one meter, including backflow protection | $10.00 | — |
| Vacuum breakers or backflow protective devices, 1 to 4 | $5.00 | Each additional: $1.00 |
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
VerifiedRequired for installation, replacement, alteration, or repair of mechanical systems (furnaces, boilers, air handlers, evaporative coolers, ventilation, and related equipment) in Cortez. Governed by the 2009 International Mechanical Code (IMC) as locally adopted. Mechanical inspections for new construction are included in the initial building permit; standalone mechanical work is billed per a detailed unit-fee schedule.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for addition, replacement, or repair of mechanical systems, per the Planning & Building FAQ's permit-required list
- Governed by the 2009 IMC as adopted
- Mechanical inspections are included in the initial building permit fee for new construction
- Commercial mechanical permits/fees are based on job cost per the Building Permit Fees chart rather than the residential unit-fee schedule, per the 2026 Fee Schedule
Required documents
- RequiredCity of Cortez Building Permit ApplicationMechanical work not part of new construction is applied for via the standard Building Permit Application process
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Permit Issuing Fee | $30.00 | City of Cortez Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026, Mechanical Permit Fees section; Each Supplemental Permit: $10.00 |
| Installation or relocation of furnace up to and including 100,000 Btu/h (29.3kW) | $15.00 | — |
| Installation or relocation of furnace over 100,000 Btu/h (29.3kW), including vent | $15.00 | — |
| Relocation of floor furnace / installation or relocation of suspended, recessed, or floor-mounted heater | $15.00 | — |
| Installation, relocation, or replacement of each appliance vent not included in appliance permit | $5.00 each | — |
| Repair, alteration, or addition to each heating/cooling/absorption unit or system (incl. controls) | $7.00 | — |
| Installation or relocation of boiler, each | $15.00 | — |
| Each Air Handling Unit up to 10,000 cfm (4720 L/s), including ducts attached to evaporative coolers | $10.00 | — |
| Each Evaporative Cooler (other than portable types) | $10.00 | — |
| Each Ventilation Fan connected to a single duct | $5.00 | — |
| Each Ventilation system not part of a heating/AC system authorized by a permit | $10.00 | — |
| Installation of each hood served by mechanical exhaust, including ducts for hood incinerator | $10.00 | — |
| Installation/relocation of each domestic-type incinerator | $10.00 | — |
| Installation/relocation of each commercial or industrial-type incinerator | $20.00 | — |
| Miscellaneous equipment regulated by the Mechanical Code, not otherwise classed | $10.00 | — |
Roofing Permit (Re-Roof)
VerifiedRequired for re-roofing work on structures within Cortez city limits. Uses a flat, size-tiered fee rather than a valuation-based calculation. Governed by the 2015 IBC/IRC roofing provisions as locally adopted, including Cortez's required ice barrier underlayment design standard.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for re-roofing, per the Planning & Building FAQ's permit-required list
- Ice Barrier Underlayment is a required local design standard, per the Building Codes & Design Standards page
- A Site Plan is explicitly NOT required for re-roof applications, per the Building Permit Application form
Required documents
- RequiredCity of Cortez Building Permit ApplicationCheck 'Re-Roof' in the Project Type section; state total square footage of the re-roof
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roof Permit Fee — up to 5,000 sq ft | $150.00 | City of Cortez Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026, Building Permit Fees section |
| Roof Permit Fee — over 5,000 sq ft | $150.00 plus $0.05 per square foot | — |
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit
VerifiedGoverned by Cortez's own Land Use Code, which (per the City's own, dated June 2022 ADU information notice) restricts ADUs to the R1 and RE zoning districts by Conditional Use Permit only, with owner-occupancy and parking requirements. Cortez does not appear to be a 'Subject Jurisdiction' under Colorado's 2024 ADU legislation (HB24-1152), which would otherwise have required an administrative (non-hearing) approval process without owner-occupancy or parking conditions by June 30, 2025 — but this file could not confirm the City has formally reaffirmed its ADU ordinance post-HB24-1152, so treat the underlying zoning rule as the best-available but not freshly-reconfirmed figure.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- ADUs allowed ONLY in the R1 and RE zoning districts, per the City's ADU Information notice
- Permitted ONLY by Conditional Use Permit (a public-hearing process), not administratively
- Lot must be 20% larger than the zoning district's required minimum lot size
- ADU cannot increase existing living space by more than 20%
- Property owner must live in the single-family home on the lot
- 2 additional off-street parking spaces must be provided for the ADU
- Colorado HB24-1152 (effective for 'Subject Jurisdictions' as of June 30, 2025) would otherwise require an administrative approval process without owner-occupancy or parking conditions, but Cortez (population ~8,700, no Metropolitan Planning Organization covering Montezuma County) does not appear to meet the statute's population+MPO 'Subject Jurisdiction' test — this is an inference from the statutory test, not a City confirmation, so verify current ADU zoning status directly with Planning & Building before relying on it
Required documents
- RequiredConditional Use Permit ApplicationRequired public-hearing process per current Cortez Land Use Code ADU rules; fee listed separately under the Conditional Use Permit line item ($500.00) in the 2026 Fee Schedule
- RequiredCity of Cortez Building Permit ApplicationCheck 'Accessory Dwelling' in the Project Type section; state total square footage to be added, primary structure square footage, and whether the accessory will be living space
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit | $500.00 | City of Cortez 2026 Fee Schedule, Planning and Building section; if applying concurrently with a site plan review, the full site-plan-review fee applies plus half the conditional-use-permit fee |
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation-based schedule as new construction) | $75.00 minimum, scaling per the January 2026 Fee Schedule valuation tiers | — |
Demolition Permit
VerifiedRequired for demolition of any structure in Cortez, per the Planning & Building FAQ. The lot must be graded smooth after demolition is complete. Priced as a flat fee on the City's 2026 Fee Schedule.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for demolition of any structure, per the Planning & Building FAQ ('Does the city require demolition permits? Yes, required for any structure demolition')
- Lot must be graded smooth after demolition
- Application must state whether the structure being demolished is listed as historic, and total square footage to be demolished, per the Building Permit Application
Required documents
- RequiredCity of Cortez Building Permit ApplicationCheck 'Demolition' in the Project Type section; state historic status and total square footage to be demolished
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition Permit | $100.00 | City of Cortez Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026, Building Permit Fees section |
Fence Permit
VerifiedRequired for construction of new fences in Cortez, per the Planning & Building FAQ ('new fences, sheds, carports, garages, additions, etc.'). Priced as a flat fee on the City's 2026 Fee Schedule; no separate retaining-wall-specific fee line was found on the fee schedule or FAQ.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for new fences, per the Planning & Building FAQ's permit-required list ('There are some exceptions' noted but not itemized on the FAQ page)
- Application must state fence height in feet, per the Building Permit Application form
- No standalone retaining-wall permit fee or requirement was found on the City's Fee Schedule, Building Permits & Applications page, or FAQ — checked directly; genuinely unresolved for retaining walls specifically, not assumed to follow the fence fee
Required documents
- RequiredCity of Cortez Building Permit ApplicationCheck 'Fence' in the Project Type section; state fence height
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fence Permit Fee | $100.00 | City of Cortez Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026, Building Permit Fees section |
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 Cortez building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.