Pueblo building permits

Requirements

• Building permit required for new single-family and two-family dwelling construction within City of Pueblo limits
• Plans must comply with the 2021 IRC as amended by Pueblo City Code Title IV, Chapter 6, and the 2021 IECC (unmodified) plus the Colorado Model Electric and Solar Ready Code for plans/permits submitted on or after 8/1/2026
• Design must account for local Design Criteria: 106 mph residential wind load, ground snow load per elevation (20-59 psf table), 26-inch minimum frost/foundation depth, Seismic Zone B
• New 1- and 2-family residence permits are subject to an additional 10% plan review fee on top of the base valuation-based permit fee
• Contractor Permit Application (for licensed contractors) or Homeowner Permit Application (owner-occupied principal residence only, verified per Pueblo City Code Sec. 4-1-9) required
• Submitted via the SoCoBD E-Gov Dashboard (online) or emailed to permits@socobd.com / faxed to 719-543-0062

Required documents

• RequiredContractor Permit ApplicationFillable PDF; submitted via SoCoBD E-Gov Dashboard, email, or fax
• OptionalHomeowner Permit ApplicationFillable PDF for owner-occupied principal-residence permits only
• RequiredResidential Plan Submittal ChecklistSoCoBD checklist for residential plan submittals
• RequiredConstruction DrawingsSite plan, foundation plan, floor plan, framing, elevations, and structural details per 2021 IRC and local Design Criteria (wind, snow, frost depth, seismic zone)

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Building permit required for additions, remodels, and alterations affecting structure, or mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems, including like-for-like change-outs
• Garages and carports require a permit regardless of size
• Sheds/storage buildings: residential projects larger than 200 sq ft require a permit (commercial projects larger than 120 sq ft); zoning/planning approval may still be required regardless of size
• Decks: a permit is required for any deck attached to a building or 30 inches or more above grade; decks 200 sq ft or less, not more than 30 inches above grade, unattached, and not serving a required exit door are exempt per IRC Section R105.2
• Interior remodels (adding a bathroom, finishing a basement, changing floorplan, etc.) require a permit
• Design must meet local Design Criteria: 106 mph residential wind load, snow load per elevation, 26-inch frost depth

Required documents

• RequiredContractor or Homeowner Permit ApplicationSubmitted via SoCoBD E-Gov Dashboard, email (permits@socobd.com), or fax
• RequiredResidential Plan Submittal ChecklistSoCoBD checklist for residential plan submittals
• OptionalBuilding Guide — Residential Addition / Detached Garage / Uncovered Decks / Carports & Patio Covers / Enclosing a Patio / Finishing a BasementColorado Chapter ICC building guides published by SoCoBD for common project types

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Electrical permit required for new/upgraded service, new wiring or upgrades, added circuits/lighting/receptacles, and solar installation or upgrade
• Governed by the 2023 NEC as amended by Pueblo City Code Title IV, Chapter 3
• Reconnect (utility-required safety inspection before releasing service) does not itself require a work permit, but failing the safety inspection may require a licensed contractor to pull permits to fix issues
• Meter height must be between 4 feet and 5.5 feet to the bottom of the meter can per City ordinance
• Apply via SoCoBD E-Gov Dashboard, email, or fax

Required documents

• RequiredContractor or Homeowner Permit ApplicationSubmitted via SoCoBD E-Gov Dashboard, email (permits@socobd.com), or fax

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Plumbing permit required for water heater installation/replacement, water/sewer line replacement or repair, re-plumbing, and lawn sprinkler system installation
• Governed by the 2021 IPC as amended by Pueblo City Code Title IV, Chapter 4
• Water service lines must be installed at 48 inches deep (meets the code requirement of 1 ft below the local frost line in the majority of areas)
• Sewer and water penetrations through concrete walls require sleeves, tightly caulked/sealed
• Homeowner (owner-occupant) permits available only for the applicant's own principal residence; rentals require a licensed contractor per City ordinance Sec. 4-1-9

Required documents

• RequiredContractor or Homeowner Permit ApplicationSubmitted via SoCoBD E-Gov Dashboard, email (permits@socobd.com), or fax

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Mechanical and/or Electrical permit required to install or replace a furnace, including adding air conditioning to an existing furnace
• Plumbing and/or Electrical permit required to install/replace a water heater
• Gas piping repairs/replacement may require a permit; a pressure test (minimum 10 lbs for 15 minutes, or 60 lbs for 24 hours on welded pipe) may be required before utility turn-on
• Carbon monoxide detectors are required whenever mechanical/gas work is performed inside the home
• Reconnect/gas air-test inspections (utility-required before releasing service) are safety inspections only, not a work permit, but failed inspections may require a licensed contractor to pull permits for repairs

Required documents

• RequiredContractor or Homeowner Permit ApplicationSubmitted via SoCoBD E-Gov Dashboard, email (permits@socobd.com), or fax

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A building permit is required for re-roofing; contact SoCoBD or the Authority Having Jurisdiction for area-specific requirements
• Homeowners may perform their own re-roof work
• Asphalt shingles not permitted on roof pitch less than 2:12; two layers of underlayment required for pitch 2:12 to 4:12; one layer required for 4:12 and over
• Drip edge required at eave and rake edges of shingle roofs (IRC R905.2.8.5 / IBC 1507.2.8.3)
• Ice barrier is NOT required per Section R905.1.2 in this jurisdiction (local application)
• Roof decking is considered 'solidly sheathed' only if the joint width between wood structural panels does not exceed 1/4 inch (SoCoBD interpretation, effective 7/1/2023); wider gaps require re-decking or a minimum 1/4-inch CDX/OSB overlay with its own permit and final inspection
• Roofing contractors may only replace vent cap, storm collar, and jack on a B-Vent; any repair/replacement of the B-Vent connection or the vent itself requires a licensed HVAC contractor and permit
• A Remove-and-Reset solar permit (obtained by a licensed contractor) is required before detaching solar arrays for re-roofing
• Typical asphalt and Direct-to-Deck metal shingle residential roofs do not require a mid-roof inspection; tile roofs require a roof dry-in inspection after underlayment/battens/sub-flashing are installed and before any tile is placed
• Re-roof permits are not required to be posted at the property

Required documents

• RequiredContractor or Homeowner Permit ApplicationSubmitted via SoCoBD E-Gov Dashboard, email (permits@socobd.com), or fax
• OptionalReroofing Guidelines (Colorado Chapter ICC Building Guide)SoCoBD-published summary of 2021 IRC/IBC re-roof requirements and local interpretations

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Solar project routing must be created through the applicant's SoCoBD E-Gov Dashboard account when logged in
• Commercial installations under 2 MW use the normal commercial plan submittal process
• Utility-scale projects over 2 MW require a pre-submittal meeting before submitting via the commercial plan review process
• Residential projects require routing approval, and plans are reviewed prior to permit issuance (effective 1/2/2024)
• A Remove-and-Reset permit (by a licensed contractor) is required before detaching an existing solar array for re-roofing work

Required documents

• RequiredSolar PV Basic GuideSoCoBD guide for building a required plan set of jobsite information
• OptionalExample Plan SetSample solar PV plan set; applicants should use the manufacturer's toolkit to calculate values
• OptionalRooftop Access GuideSoCoBD guide covering rooftop access requirements for solar installers

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Fences not over 7 feet high do not require a building permit (per IRC/IBC Section 105.2); fences over 7 feet require a permit and engineered plans
• Zoning rules may still apply to fences of any height, especially fences extending past the front of a building — check with the appropriate department before starting
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) are exempt from a building permit, unless the wall supports a surcharge (or, per the IBC exemption, unless it impounds Class I, II, or IIIA liquids)
• Retaining walls exceeding these thresholds, or any wall supporting a surcharge regardless of height, require a building permit and are commonly engineered

Required documents

• RequiredContractor or Homeowner Permit ApplicationRequired only for fences over 7 feet or regulated retaining walls; submitted via SoCoBD E-Gov Dashboard, email, or fax

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Electrical permit required for the new/upgraded circuit and EVSE connection, the same as any other electrical work per Pueblo City Code Title IV, Chapter 3 (2023 NEC as amended)
• Installation must comply with NEC Article 625 (Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System); GFCI protection applies per NEC 625 where the EVSE is cord-and-plug connected
• Apply via the SoCoBD E-Gov Dashboard, email (permits@socobd.com), or fax, the same intake channels used for the file's general electrical-permit entry
• If the charger install requires a panel/service upgrade, that scope is included in the same electrical permit application
• No dedicated EV/EVSE fee line item exists in SoCoBD's Fee Table Table C (Residential Electrical Only Permits) -- confirmed by reading the full table, which lists exactly three fixed-fee residential electrical categories (Upgrade/Replace Service, Solar PV Systems, A/C Hook Up) and no others; a standalone EV charger circuit addition with no service upgrade does not match any of the three
• Because a plain EV charger circuit addition is not one of Table C's fixed-fee categories, it falls back to SoCoBD's general valuation-based permit fee (Table B), applied to the contractor's declared job value for the electrical work -- the same mechanism Table C's own instructions specify for any permit type not itemized as a fixed fee
• If the installation instead requires a service/panel upgrade to support the charger, it is billed under Table C's fixed 'Upgrade/Replace Service' fee ($55.13) instead of the valuation-based Table B calculation

Required documents

• RequiredContractor or Homeowner Permit ApplicationSubmitted via SoCoBD E-Gov Dashboard, email (permits@socobd.com), or fax — same application used for the file's general electrical-permit entry

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Commercial building permit required for new construction and additions to commercial buildings within City of Pueblo limits; processed through SoCoBD's Commercial Plan Review track (a distinct online application/checklist from the residential permit process)
• Plans must comply with the 2021 IBC, plus (per SoCoBD's Commercial Plan Review Checklist) the 2021 IEBC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IFC, and 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and the 2023 NEC / 2021 IPC 'as the State dictates required code cycle'
• All plan sheets require an original Colorado-licensed Architect's or Engineer's stamp and dated signature on every submitted sheet
• One electronic PDF plan set is required, submitted online at socobd.com; SoCoBD no longer accepts paper commercial plans, only one initial upload is allowed, and incomplete submittals will not be accepted
• Design must meet local Design Criteria: Commercial wind load 115 mph (per IBC Risk Category / Section 1609.3, ASCE Hazard Tool referenced), 26-inch frost line, Seismic Zone B, and the published ground-snow-load-by-elevation table
• Permit valuation = project area x an occupancy/construction-type-specific per-square-foot figure from the ICC Building Valuation Data table (an external, periodically-updated ICC table, not a fixed number set by SoCoBD) x the Table E 'Commercial' Building Valuation Multiplier of 1.00; the resulting valuation is then looked up on Table B's fee brackets
• New commercial construction is subject to an additional 50% of the base permit fee as a plan review fee
• Commercial Fire Sprinkler and Commercial Electrical Low-Voltage systems are permitted and fee'd SEPARATELY from the base Building Permit valuation, based on their own project value, unlike other new-construction sub-permits which are bundled into the Building Permit valuation
• Other approval agencies (Zoning, Utilities, Public Works, Fire Department, etc.) must sign off via a completed project approval list / Required Agency Approvals routing before a permit can be issued
• A code study (occupancy classification, risk category, wind design, fastening schedule, occupant load, floor area, type of construction, height/number of stories) and, where applicable, mechanical/electrical/plumbing plans and a 2021 IECC energy analysis (ComCheck) must be submitted with the plan set

Required documents

• RequiredCommercial Checklist & Plan Review ApplicationSoCoBD's combined commercial submittal checklist and online plan review application; covers new construction, additions, remodels, and tenant finish
• RequiredConstruction Drawings and Code StudySite plan (11"x17" min., fully dimensioned), elevations, structural details, code study per 2021 IBC Chapters 3/5/6 and Table 1604.5/1004.5, and applicable mechanical/electrical/plumbing plans; all sheets stamped and signed by a Colorado-licensed Architect or Engineer
• OptionalEnergy Analysis (ComCheck)2021 IECC building envelope, electrical/lighting, and mechanical compliance analysis, where applicable; free web app at energycodes.gov

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Interior remodels, tenant finish/build-out, and alterations to existing commercial buildings require a Commercial Building Permit through SoCoBD's Commercial Plan Review process; the Commercial Checklist requires a Key Plan showing adjoining units or the overall building specifically 'when project is a remodel or tenant finish'
• Same plan/document/stamp requirements as new commercial construction apply: stamped and signed Colorado Architect/Engineer plans (every sheet), code study, site-specific drawings, and applicable mechanical/electrical/plumbing plans; for remodels and additions, plumbing plans must show all existing fixtures
• Fee valuation uses Table D's Alteration Valuation Table instead of the new-construction Commercial multiplier: 'Alteration' (addition/demolition of interior walls, new glazing tied to a major remodel, minor/limited structural upgrade or repair, significant MEP upgrades with significant surface refinishing, or new/substantial MEP replacement tied to room reconfiguration) = 50% of (area x ICC per-sq-ft valuation); 'Full Alteration or new Shell building' (demolition to a structural shell, significant seismic/structural renovation, or more than 80% new construction by floor area/value) = 80%
• New commercial alterations carry the same additional 50% of base permit fee as a plan-review fee that applies to new commercial construction
• For additions and remodels, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical sub-permits attach to the Building Permit for a flat $50 fee each, rather than being individually valuation-priced; Commercial Fire Sprinkler and Commercial Electrical Low-Voltage remain the exceptions and are always permitted/valued separately
• A separate Change in Use/Occupancy Inspection ($110.25 flat fee) may be required when a new business/tenant occupies a commercial space under a new use, even without construction; if the applicant is not the building owner, a signed copy of the lease agreement showing the property address is required; findings from that inspection can independently trigger a requirement for full Commercial Plan Review at additional cost
• Other approval agencies (Zoning, Utilities, Public Works, Fire Department, etc.) must be cleared via a project approval list before the permit can be issued, the same as new commercial construction

Required documents

• RequiredCommercial Checklist & Plan Review ApplicationSame SoCoBD combined commercial submittal checklist and online plan review application used for new construction; explicitly addresses remodel/tenant-finish projects (Key Plan requirement)
• OptionalChange in Use/Occupancy Inspection Application FormSeparate form/fee for a code-compliance inspection triggered by a change of business use or tenant, independent of the construction permit process; requires a signed lease-agreement copy if the applicant is not the building owner

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Sign Permit Application must be completed, including: class of work (New/Addition/Replace/Alteration/Repair/Move/Conversion), sign location (address, parcel number, lot/block/subdivision), zone district, owner name/address, and contractor name/license number
• An Electrical Contractor is required on any electric sign, new or replaced, per the application form
• No part of a sign may be constructed within a public right-of-way or an easement, except a 'sign' easement
• If engineering is required for the sign, plans must be submitted for review
• A site plan on 8½ x 11 paper indicating lot dimensions, streets, alleys, easements, all existing buildings, and the proposed sign location must be attached to the application
• The application requires disclosure of whether the sign location is entirely on private property, entirely on public property, or partly private/partly public — signs entirely or partly on public property are flagged on the form as requiring a Revocable Permit
• The application also requires disclosure of sign features (illumination, light-source concealment, flashers, animation/intermittent illumination variation with RPMs) and sign type (ground, roof, pole, or wall) and construction material
• Applicant must state the VALUATION of WORK INCLUDING SIGNS & INSTALLATION on the application; materials and equipment for the work are subject to applicable Sales and Use Tax, including for subcontractors
• By submitting the application, the applicant accepts full responsibility for compliance with the 2021 International Building Code and all other applicable ordinances
• The Sign Permit Application form provides only a Contractor section (name as licensed, license number) — unlike SoCoBD's general Contractor/Homeowner Permit Application used elsewhere in this file, this form has no separate homeowner-applicant option

Required documents

• RequiredSign Permit ApplicationSoCoBD's dedicated sign permit form covering class of work, location, contractor/electrical contractor, sign type/features, and declared valuation
• RequiredSite Plan (8½ x 11)Showing lot dimensions, streets, alleys, easements, existing buildings, and the proposed sign location
• OptionalEngineered PlansRequired only if engineering is required for the specific sign

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Three sets of paper fire system plans must be submitted with an application cover sheet outlining the scope of work and the number of devices in the system seeking approval
• Plans are submitted and fees are paid to Fire Prevention / Fire Administration, 1551 Bonforte Blvd, Pueblo, CO 81003 (separate from SoCoBD, which handles stand-alone construction plan review at 830 N Main St)
• Fire Alarm Permit Application (OpenGov Record Type 6495) is used for fire detection/alarm systems; Fire Suppression Permit Application (OpenGov Record Type 6497) is used for fire sprinkler/suppression systems — both submitted via the City's OpenGov portal (puebloco.portal.opengov.com/categories/1084)
• All Fire Department fees must be paid and a receipt issued before plans will be released or certificates issued
• Construction permit fees apply per Section 105.7 of the International Fire Code as adopted; each permit type (detection, suppression, kitchen hood, special system, other) has its own itemized plan-submittal, plans-review (hourly), construction-permit, and re-inspection fee line items
• A Plan Review Fee is collected for reviewing construction plans for IFC compliance for all occupancies except R-3, but is not charged in addition to a construction permit fee for the listed construction types except where plan changes require additional review
• Review of plans by the fire official is a code-compliance review only, not a structural or suitability review, and does not relieve the designer/architect/engineer/contractor of responsibility for structural integrity or compliance with all other applicable building, zoning, and land use codes
• Construction permits are issued only for work shown/described on approved plans; issuance under the IFC does not relieve the applicant from obtaining any other required building permits/authorizations or from zoning/land-use compliance, and concurrent permit fees require concurrent fees

Required documents

• RequiredFire Alarm Permit Application (OpenGov Record Type 6495)Submitted via puebloco.portal.opengov.com for new/modified fire detection and alarm systems
• RequiredFire Suppression Permit Application (OpenGov Record Type 6497)Submitted via puebloco.portal.opengov.com for new/modified fire sprinkler and suppression systems
• RequiredApplication Cover Sheet + Three Paper Plan SetsCover sheet outlining scope of work and device count, submitted with three sets of paper fire system plans to Fire Administration

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Change in Use/Occupancy Inspection Application Form must be fully completed: address of inspection, name of new business, site contact name/phone/email, name and description of the previous business, and building owner name/phone/email/mailing address
• If the applicant is not the building owner, a copy of the lease agreement, signed by both parties and showing the property address, is required to process the application
• The owner or owner's agent must sign to authorize SoCoBD to inspect the property, and acknowledges receipt of the Code Compliance Inspection Disclaimer accompanying the request
• The inspection is expressly cursory and code-compliance-focused only — SoCoBD's own disclaimer states it cannot discover all violations (much work is concealed in a completed structure) and is not a working-order/systems report; a trade-specific contractor should be hired separately if a working-order report is desired
• Any life-threatening or serious code violations found must be corrected within a time specified by the inspector; if not corrected in time, utilities may be disconnected to prevent further occupancy of an unsafe structure
• The completed form is given to the Chief Building Inspector, who schedules the inspection
• Findings from this inspection may result in a requirement for full Commercial Plan Review at additional cost, separate from this inspection's own fee

Required documents

• RequiredChange in Use/Occupancy Inspection Application FormSoCoBD form; all fields required, given to the Chief Building Inspector to schedule the inspection
• OptionalSigned Lease AgreementRequired only if the applicant is not the building owner; must show the property address and be signed by both parties

Fee schedule