You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-08-14.
Silverthorne building permits
VerifiedSilverthorne, Colorado — as published 2026-08-14.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
New Residential Construction Building Permit (SFR Attached and Detached)
VerifiedRequired for new single-family residential construction (attached and detached) in Silverthorne. The Town's Planning, Engineering, and Water/Sewer Departments review for Town Code compliance while the Summit County Building Department conducts the Building Code plan review and performs inspections. Reviewed under the 2018 IBC/IRC package as locally amended.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Site plan with topographical information; building height table per Town Code definition of building height
- Water and sewer service line details shown on site plans and mechanical plans
- Construction management plan; erosion control and grading plan
- Landscape plan (Town Code Section 4-6-14) including revegetation information and designated snow storage area(s)
- Tree conservation plan (Town Code Article VIII, Environmental Guidelines)
- Exterior lighting location on architectural elevations, plus exterior lighting spec sheet
- Architectural plans (floor plans, elevations, materials); elevations with USGS ties for height calculations
- Structural drawings stamped by a Colorado-licensed architect/engineer, including design loads, code versions, and project type; foundation plans; framing plans
- Soils report; HOA approval if applicable; warranty deed if applicable for new ownership
- Summit Fire & EMS fire mitigation permit required for all new construction; life-safety/sprinkler permit required for Eagles Nest Golf Course Filings 1-5 or homes over 6,000 SF
- Plan Review: Town of Silverthorne Planning, Engineering, and Water and Sewer departments review per Town Code; Summit County Building Department conducts the Building Code plan review
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (SmartGov Portal)Submitted online via the Town's SmartGov Public Portal
- RequiredConstruction Drawings and Structural PlansStamped by a Colorado-licensed architect/engineer, including foundation and framing plans
- RequiredConstruction Management PlanSediment/erosion-control BMPs, required with every building permit
- OptionalSoils ReportAdditional submittal document
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1 to $500 | $65.00 | Town of Silverthorne Permit Fees page |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $100,001 to $500,000 | $1,008.25 for the first $100,000, plus $6.73 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Town of Silverthorne Permit Fees page |
| Building Permit Fee — valuation $1,000,001 and up | $6,370.25 for the first $1,000,000, plus $3.90 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Town of Silverthorne Permit Fees page |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of the Building Permit Fee | Due at submittal |
| Excise Tax | $2.00 per square foot (living space, unfinished space, and garage) | New residential construction only; paid at time of submittal |
| Stormwater System Development Charge | $0.58 per square foot of impermeable surface (new impervious areas over 120 square feet) | New building permits only; due before permit issuance. Show full citationHideNew building permits only; due before permit issuance. The current Permit Fees page (Appendix A, Public Works Sec. 3-9-5) reads verbatim: 'New customers purchasing a building permit for a new building will be subject to a stormwater system development charge of $0.58 per square foot of impermeable surface (for new impervious surface areas over 120 square feet).' This charge has been escalating — $0.53 (as of 2026-07-06), then $0.55 (2026-07-13), then $0.58 (2026-07-30) — so verify the current rate before budgeting rather than treating it as stable. |
| Impact Fee | Based on building square footage (exact rate not published on reviewed pages) | Due and payable prior to permit issuance; confirm exact rate with the Building Division |
| Water and Sewer Tap Fees (EQRs) and Water Meter Fee | Per Town Code Sec. 3-2-1 use classification schedule | Due before permit issuance for new construction |
Residential Addition / Remodel Building Permit
VerifiedCovers additions and interior/structural remodels to existing single-family residences in Silverthorne. Additions follow largely the same submittal package as new construction (minus excise tax); remodels have a lighter submittal package. Both route through Town Code review plus Summit County Building Code plan review.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Residential Additions: site plan with topographical info, building height table, water/sewer service line details, construction management plan, erosion control/grading plan, landscape plan, tree conservation plan, exterior lighting location, architectural plans, elevations with USGS ties, stamped structural drawings, foundation and framing plans, soils report
- Residential Remodels: overall floor plans showing existing and proposed scope of work, scope of work list, stamped structural plans by a licensed Colorado engineer (lighter submittal than additions/new construction)
- Summit Fire & EMS fire mitigation permit required for additions (not listed as required for remodels specifically)
- Plan Review: Town of Silverthorne Planning and Engineering Departments review per Town Code; Summit County Building Department conducts Building Code plan review
- Water and sewer tap fees (EQRs) required for additions that add bedrooms/bathrooms
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (SmartGov Portal)Submitted online
- RequiredScope of Work listRequired for remodels
- RequiredStamped Structural PlansBy a licensed Colorado engineer, for remodels affecting structure; full stamped structural drawings for additions
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation table as new construction) | $65.00 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the Town's fee table | Town of Silverthorne Permit Fees page |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of the Building Permit Fee | Town of Silverthorne Permit Fees page, Building Permit Fees section — plan review fee is 65% of the building permit fee; a deferred submittal instead carries a plan review fee equal to the permit fee |
| Impact Fee (additions only) | Based on added square footage | Not applicable to remodels that do not add square footage |
| Water and Sewer Tap Fees (EQRs) | Per Town Code Sec. 3-2-1 | Required for additions/remodels that add bedrooms or bathrooms |
Electrical Permit
VerifiedRequired for electrical installation, alteration, or repair on any project in Silverthorne. Unlike every other trade permit in this jurisdiction, electrical permits are issued ENTIRELY by the Summit County Building Department, not the Town — the Town does not intake, fee, or issue electrical permits at all. Governed by the 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code as adopted.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical permits must be submitted directly to the Summit County Building Department (0037 Peak One Drive / 37 S.C.R. 1005, Frisco, CO), not to the Town of Silverthorne — per the Town's own Outside Agency Permits and Building Codes & Construction Resources pages
- Governed by the 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, adopted via Town Ordinance 2023-10 (the Town's own page attributes this specific code adoption to the Summit County Building Department)
- Residential electrical permit fees are based on total building area (square feet) plus total number of dwelling units in the building
- All electrical permit fees are assessed by and paid to the Summit County Building Department, not the Town of Silverthorne
Required documents
- RequiredElectrical Permit Application (Summit County Building Department)Submitted directly to Summit County, not through the Town's SmartGov portal
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit Fee (residential) | Based on total building area (sq ft) plus number of dwelling units | Assessed by and paid to Summit County Building Department, (970) 668-3170 — not published on the Town's fee schedule since the Town does not issue this permit |
Residential Plumbing Permit
VerifiedRequired for plumbing installation, alteration, or repair on residential projects in Silverthorne. Issued by the Town of Silverthorne Building Division (not Summit County) for single-family residential work; commercial plumbing requires a separate process with Summit County plan review.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Residential plumbing permits are issued by the Town of Silverthorne Building Department (601 Center Circle), not Summit County
- No additional submittal requirements for a standard residential plumbing and mechanical permit, per the Town's Permit Process page
- All manufacturer specifications must be printed and available on-site for inspection
- Typically no plan review fee for a single-family house; fee is based on the assigned value of the work
- Commercial plumbing work is a SEPARATE permit type requiring a Colorado-licensed architect/engineer's stamp, a separate fee, and Summit County plan review
Required documents
- RequiredResidential Plumbing and Mechanical Permit Application (SmartGov Portal)Submitted to the Town of Silverthorne
- RequiredManufacturer SpecificationsMust be printed and available on-site for inspection
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Fee (standalone permit) | 0.0075 x total plumbing valuation, minimum $65.00, plus 65% plan review fee when required | Per the Town of Silverthorne Permit Fees page: when plumbing work is bundled with a building permit rather than taken out standalone, the fee instead uses 0.10 x total building valuation. The Town directs applicants to call (970) 262-7360 to confirm the correct calculation. |
Residential Mechanical / HVAC Permit
VerifiedRequired for heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment installation or replacement on residential projects in Silverthorne. Issued by the Town of Silverthorne (bundled with plumbing under a single 'Plumbing and Mechanical' permit process for residential work); commercial mechanical work requires Summit County plan review.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Residential mechanical permits are issued by the Town of Silverthorne Building Department, bundled procedurally with plumbing under 'Residential Plumbing and Mechanical Permits'
- No additional submittal requirements beyond the standard application for a residential permit
- All manufacturer specifications (furnace, boiler, etc.) must be printed and available on-site for inspection
- Commercial mechanical work requires an engineer's stamp, a separate fee, and Summit County plan review
Required documents
- RequiredResidential Plumbing and Mechanical Permit Application (SmartGov Portal)Submitted to the Town of Silverthorne
- RequiredManufacturer SpecificationsMust be printed and available on-site for inspection
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Fee (standalone permit) | 0.0075 x total mechanical valuation, minimum $65.00, plus 65% plan review fee when required | Town of Silverthorne Permit Fees page. When mechanical work is bundled with a building permit rather than filed standalone, the fee instead uses 0.10 (10%) x total building valuation. The Town directs applicants to call (970) 262-7360 for an accurate fee. |
Accessory Dwelling Unit / Single Apartment Building Permit
VerifiedRequired for construction of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) / single apartment in Silverthorne, whether as an attached addition, a detached structure, or a remodel of an existing home. Each ADU sub-type has its own dedicated submittal path on the Town's Permit Process page, all routed through Town Code review plus Summit County Building Code plan review.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Attached Addition ADU: site plan with existing/proposed structures, construction management plan, erosion control/grading plan, overall floor plans (existing and proposed), stamped structurals by a licensed Colorado engineer, architectural elevations
- Detached Structure ADU: site plan showing existing/proposed structures to-scale, overall floor plans, stamped structurals by a licensed Colorado engineer, architectural elevations
- Remodel-of-Existing-Home ADU: site plan with ADU footprint outlined to scale, stamped overall floor plans showing existing/proposed scope of work, stamped structurals, architectural elevations if exterior is modified
- HOA approval if applicable; warranty deed if applicable for new ownership; exterior lighting spec sheet (attached/detached types); outside agency approvals prior to issuance
- Summit Fire & EMS fire mitigation permit for all new construction, additions, and decks; life-safety/sprinkler permit required for Eagles Nest Golf Course Filings 1-5 or homes over 6,000 SF
- Plan Review: Town of Silverthorne Planning (and Engineering, for attached/detached types) Department(s) review per Town Code; Summit County Building Department conducts Building Code plan review
Required documents
- RequiredADU Building Permit Application (SmartGov Portal)Separate online application links exist for each of the three ADU sub-types (attached addition, detached structure, remodel of existing home)
- RequiredStamped Structural PlansBy a licensed Colorado engineer, required for all three ADU sub-types
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of the Building Permit Fee | Due at submittal for all three ADU sub-types |
| Building Permit Fee (same valuation table as new construction) | $65.00 minimum, scaling per valuation tiers | Town of Silverthorne Permit Fees page |
| Water and Sewer Tap Fees / Impact Fees / Stormwater System Development Fee | Applicable for attached-addition and detached-structure ADUs (new construction); the remodel-of-existing-home ADU type lists only permit fees and water/sewer tap fees due before issuance, no stormwater/impact fee listed | Per the Town's Permit Process page, fee scope differs by ADU sub-type |
Demolition Permit
VerifiedRequired for demolition of a structure in Silverthorne. Submittal is lighter than most other permit types on the Town's Permit Process page, requiring to-scale demo plans and landowner authorization.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- To-scale demo plans
- Landowner authorization letter
- Applicants must read and understand the Demo Permit Acknowledgements document prior to applying online
- No detailed multi-step review process (application submittal / outside agency / issuance / inspections breakdown) is published for demo permits the way it is for other permit types on the Town's Permit Process page — the page lists only the application requirements
Required documents
- RequiredDemo Permit Application (SmartGov Portal)Submitted online
- RequiredTo-Scale Demo PlansShowing the scope of demolition
- RequiredLandowner Authorization Letter
- RequiredDemo Permit AcknowledgementsMust be read and understood prior to applying
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition Permit Fee | $50.00 flat, including plan review fee | Town of Silverthorne Permit Fees page — the live page publishes a dedicated flat Demolition Permit Fee. |
Retaining Wall (Standalone) Permit
VerifiedRequired for standalone retaining walls (commercial or residential) in Silverthorne. The Town's Permit Process page publishes a dedicated Retaining Walls (Standalone) permit type; it does not publish a separate stand-alone fence permit type distinct from general building-permit review.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Retaining wall stamped plans
- Retaining wall spec sheet demonstrating what the wall will look like
- Geotechnical engineering study stamped by a licensed professional engineer
- Written approval from landlord if applicable; HOA approval if applicable
- Plan Review: Town of Silverthorne Planning and Engineering Departments review per Town Code; Summit County Building Department conducts Building Code plan review
- The Town publishes no fence-specific permit page distinct from the general building permit process — confirm with the Building Division at (970) 262-7360 whether your fence needs a standalone permit or falls under another permit category
Required documents
- RequiredRetaining Wall Permit Application (SmartGov Portal)Covers both commercial and residential standalone retaining walls
- RequiredGeotechnical Engineering StudyStamped by a licensed professional engineer
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of the Building Permit Fee | Due at submittal |
| Building Permit Fee (valuation-based) | $65.00 minimum, scaling per the Town's general valuation tiers | Due before permit issuance. Town of Silverthorne Permit Fees page. |
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
VerifiedRequired for installing a rooftop or ground-mount photovoltaic system in Silverthorne. Applications are submitted through the Town of Silverthorne (Community Development Technician intake, with Town Planning, Engineering, and Water & Sewer departments reviewing per Town Code), but the substantive building/electrical code plan review, PV-specific fee, permit issuance, and inspections for the photovoltaic system are performed by the Summit County Building Department — the same county department that handles ALL electrical permits for Silverthorne, since the Town does not intake, fee, or issue electrical/PV permits itself.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Submit through the Town of Silverthorne; the Community Development Technician reviews for completeness, then routes to Town Planning, Engineering, and Water & Sewer for Town Code compliance
- Summit County Building Department separately reviews the PV system against the Building Code and issues the actual Photovoltaic Permit
- Residential roof-mounted systems under 15 kW may be issued over the counter if all submittal materials are provided
- Plan review is mandatory for residential systems over 15 kW, all ground-mounted systems, and all commercial systems
- Payment for plan review is required at the time of submittal for any system requiring review
- Applicants must submit in person with a representative, per Summit County's PV submittal process
Required documents
- RequiredSummit County PV Permit Application (fillable PDF)
- RequiredSummit County PV Permit Submittal Checklist
- RequiredPhotovoltaic Systems Requirements documentSummit County Building Inspection Division's technical requirements for PV submittals
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photovoltaic Permit — Residential Plan Review | $175.00 | Summit County Building Permit Fee Schedule; independently confirmed twice against the County's own site (Photovoltaic Permits page and Building Permit Fee Schedule page) |
| Photovoltaic Permit — Residential Permit Fee | $325.00 | Summit County Building Permit Fee Schedule. Combined with the $175 plan review fee, totals exactly $500.00 — the statewide residential cap under C.R.S. § 24-48.5-113 (HB21-1284) |
| Photovoltaic Permit — Commercial Plan Review | $350.00 | Summit County Building Permit Fee Schedule |
| Photovoltaic Permit — Commercial Permit Fee | $650.00 | Summit County Building Permit Fee Schedule. Combined with the $350 plan review fee, totals exactly $1,000.00 — the statewide commercial cap under C.R.S. § 24-48.5-113 (HB21-1284) |
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
VerifiedSilverthorne has no distinct electric-vehicle-charging-station permit type or fee line-item. As with all other electrical work in Town, an EV charger (EVSE) circuit is permitted and inspected entirely by the Summit County Building Department, not the Town of Silverthorne — the Town does not intake, fee, or issue electrical permits at all. Summit County's published Building Permit Fee Schedule has no separate EV/EVSE line-item; EV charger installs are billed under the same square-footage/dwelling-unit-based Electrical Permit Fee tiers used for any other electrical circuit addition (same fee mechanism documented in the Electrical Permit entry). Summit County's population (~30,000) exceeds the 20,000-population threshold in Colorado HB24-1173, meaning the County was required to adopt, by 12/31/2025, an ordinance either adopting the Colorado Energy Office's EV Charger Permitting Model Code, establishing its own objective EV-charger permitting standards, or affirming continued use of its existing review process — no County ordinance or public confirmation of which of the three compliance paths Summit County chose was located as of the last verification.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- EV charger (EVSE) circuit/panel work must be submitted directly to the Summit County Building Department (37 S.C.R. 1005, Frisco, CO), not to the Town of Silverthorne, per the same Outside Agency Permits routing documented for all electrical work in Town
- Governed by the 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code as adopted (same code cited in the Electrical Permit entry)
- No EV/EVSE-specific line-item appears on Summit County's published Building Permit Fee Schedule; the general residential Electrical Permit Fee (based on total building area and number of dwelling units) applies
- Summit County (population >20,000) is a 'covered county permitting agency' under Colorado HB24-1173 (effective 8/7/2024), obligated by 12/31/2025 to adopt an ordinance addressing EV-charger permit standards — the County has published no confirmation of its chosen compliance path (model code adoption, custom standards, or status-quo affirmation); this remains a genuinely open point
Required documents
- RequiredElectrical Permit Application (Summit County Building Department)Submitted directly to Summit County for the EV charger circuit/panel work, not through the Town's SmartGov portal
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit Fee (EV charger circuit, billed under general electrical fee tiers) | Based on total building area (sq ft) plus number of dwelling units; no distinct EV/EVSE fee line published | Assessed by and paid to Summit County Building Department, (970) 668-3170 — not published on the Town of Silverthorne's fee schedule since the Town does not issue this permit. Show full citationHideAssessed by and paid to Summit County Building Department, (970) 668-3170 — not published on the Town of Silverthorne's fee schedule since the Town does not issue this permit. Confirmed against Summit County's own published Building Permit Fee Schedule, which lists Building, Window, Fireplace, Hot Tub, Electrical, Photovoltaic, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Mobile Home permit fee categories but no separate EV/EVSE category. |
New Commercial Construction / Commercial Addition / New Mixed-Use (Residential and Commercial) Building Permit
Required for new commercial construction, commercial additions, and new mixed-use (residential and commercial) construction in Silverthorne — a resort/retail town with its own outlet mall and significant commercial development. The Town's own Permit Process by Project Type page publishes three distinct, genuinely commercial application tracks with near-identical submittal packages (New Commercial Construction Building Permit, Commercial Addition Building Permit, and New Mixed Use Construction Building Permit), each with its own SmartGov application link. As with residential permits, the Town of Silverthorne Community Development Department (Planning, Engineering, Water & Sewer) intakes and reviews for Town Code compliance while the Building Department conducts Building Code plan review; the Town's Plan Review page states in general (not residential-specific) terms that 'Summit County Building Department reviews plans and performs inspections for the Town of Silverthorne based on the Building Code most recently adopted by the Town,' consistent with the intergovernmental arrangement documented for every other permit type in this record.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Site plan with topographical information; building height table per Town Code definition of building height
- Water and sewer service line details shown on site plans and mechanical plans
- Construction management plan; erosion control and grading plan
- Landscape plan (Town Code Section 4-6-14) including revegetation information and designated snow storage area(s)
- Tree conservation plan (Town Code Article VIII, Environmental Guidelines)
- Exterior lighting location on architectural elevations
- Architectural plans (floor plans, elevations, materials) — MUST BE STAMPED for commercial projects (stamping is not always required for equivalent residential submittals)
- Elevations with USGS ties for height calculations; structural drawings stamped by a Colorado-licensed architect/engineer including design loads, code versions, and project type; foundation plans; framing plans
- 2018 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) paperwork required for commercial projects — a submittal item not present on the residential-building-permit checklist
- Additional submittal items: landowner authorization; warranty deed if applicable; soils report; structural calculations; affidavit list of changes (for revisions/Town-Council-approved site plans); exterior lighting spec sheet; exterior color/materials
- Summit Fire & EMS fire mitigation permit required for all new construction and additions; Summit Fire & EMS life-safety/sprinkler permit specifically required for commercial and multi-family properties (a stricter trigger than the residential over-6,000-SF/Eagles-Nest-Filings-1-5 threshold)
- Summit County Environmental Health sign-off required for food service, schools, and public pools
- Plan Review: Town of Silverthorne Planning, Engineering, and Water and Sewer Departments review per Town Code; Building Department reviews per Building Code (per the Town's own Plan Review page, this Building Code review/inspection function is performed by the Summit County Building Department Town-wide, not permit-type-specific)
Required documents
- RequiredCommercial Building Permit Application (SmartGov Portal)Separate SmartGov application links exist for New Commercial Construction, Commercial Addition, and New Mixed Use Construction — apply under the correct one
- RequiredStamped Architectural and Structural PlansArchitectural plans must be stamped for commercial projects (not always required on equivalent residential submittals); structural drawings stamped by a Colorado-licensed architect/engineer
- Required2018 IECC PaperworkEnergy-code compliance documentation required for commercial projects
- RequiredConstruction Management PlanSediment/erosion-control BMPs
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Same universal valuation-based table used for all Silverthorne building permits: $65.00 for $1-$500, scaling up to $6,370.25 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.90 per additional $1,000 for valuations over $1,000,001 | Town of Silverthorne Permit Fees page, confirmed 2026-08-02 (live page). The Town publishes ONE Building Permit Fee table — there is no separate/higher commercial-specific valuation table; the same tiers used for residential-building-permit in this record apply. |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of the Building Permit Fee | Due at submittal, per both the general Permit Fees page and the New Commercial Construction / Commercial Addition / New Mixed Use accordion pages, confirmed 2026-08-02 |
| Impact Fee | Based on building square footage (exact rate not published) | Permit Fees page: 'Impact Fee is for all new construction based upon the square footage of the building... Show full citationHidePermit Fees page: 'Impact Fee is for all new construction based upon the square footage of the building... due and payable prior to the issuance of a building permit.' Applies to new commercial construction on the same basis as residential; confirm exact rate with the Building Division. |
| Stormwater System Development Charge | $0.58 per square foot of impermeable surface (new impervious surface areas over 120 sq ft) | Appendix A, Public Works Sec. 3-9-5, per the Permit Fees page — worded as applying to 'a building permit for a new building' generally, not restricted to residential; confirmed live 2026-08-02 |
| Water and Sewer Tap Fees (EQRs) and Water Meter Fee | Per Town Code Sec. 3-2-1 use classification schedule / Ordinance 2026-02 | Due before permit issuance for new construction with new water/sewer service |
| Excise Tax — UNRESOLVED DISCREPANCY, do not assume applicable | Not confirmed for pure commercial construction | The Town's general Permit Fees page states explicitly: 'Excise Tax is $2.00 per square foot which includes living space, unfinished space and garage. Show full citationHideThe Town's general Permit Fees page states explicitly: 'Excise Tax is $2.00 per square foot which includes living space, unfinished space and garage. The fee is for new residential construction.' The New Commercial Construction Building Permit accordion page (pure commercial, no residential component) does NOT list an Excise Tax Fee among fees due at submittal, consistent with the residential-only description. However, the Commercial Addition Building Permit AND New Mixed Use Construction (Residential and Commercial) Building Permit accordion pages BOTH list an 'Excise Tax Fee' under 'Application Fees Due at Submittal' — a direct textual conflict with the general Permit Fees page's residential-only framing (New Mixed Use plausibly applies it only to the residential portion of the project, but the page text does not say so explicitly, and Commercial Addition has no residential component at all). The conflict persists verbatim on the live site across the general Permit Fees page and all four commercial-track accordion pages (New Commercial Construction, Commercial Addition, New Mixed Use Construction, Commercial Remodels), and no fee schedule, ordinance, or FAQ resolving it has been published — including in Municode's Silverthorne Town Code library. This is a genuine, currently-live self-contradiction in the Town's own published material, not a stale artifact; it cannot be resolved from published sources alone. Confirm directly with the Building Division (970-262-7360) whether Excise Tax applies to a specific commercial or mixed-use project before budgeting for it. |
Commercial Remodel / Tenant Improvement Permit (Tenant Finish/Improvement, Landlord Work, White Box, Core and Shell, Change in Use)
Required for tenant-finish/tenant-improvement work, landlord work, white-box build-out, core-and-shell work, and change-of-use projects in existing commercial space in Silverthorne. It is a distinct published permit track, separate from new commercial construction: the Town's Permit Process by Project Type page lists 'Commercial Remodels (Tenant Finish/Improvement Landlord Work/White Box/Core and Shell/Change in Use)' on its own. That matters in Silverthorne's outlet-mall and retail commercial base, where tenant turnover and buildout are common. Submittal is lighter than new commercial construction — no site plan, landscape plan, or tree conservation plan — but still requires a stamped code study and stamped floor plans.
Reviewed 2026-08-02 · Source
Requirements
- Code study stamped by a licensed architect
- Existing and proposed architectural floor plans, stamped by a licensed architect or engineer
- Proposed scope of work
- Stamped structural drawings (if applicable to the scope of work)
- Additional submittal items: landowner authorization; warranty deed if applicable for new ownership
- Outside agency approvals prior to issuance: Summit Fire & EMS fire mitigation permit (new construction/additions/decks) and life-safety/sprinkler permit (required for commercial and multi-family properties); Summit County Environmental Health sign-off for food service, schools, and public pools
- Plan Review: Town of Silverthorne Planning Department reviews per Town Code (narrower than the New Commercial Construction track, which also routes through Engineering and Water & Sewer); Building Department reviews per Building Code
Required documents
- RequiredCommercial Remodel / Tenant Improvement Permit Application (SmartGov Portal)Submitted online; covers tenant finish/improvement, landlord work, white box, core and shell, and change-in-use scopes under one application track
- RequiredCode StudyStamped by a licensed architect
- RequiredExisting and Proposed Floor PlansStamped by a licensed architect or engineer
- OptionalStamped Structural DrawingsRequired if the scope of work involves structural changes
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Same universal valuation-based table used for all Silverthorne building permits (based on the valuation of the tenant-improvement scope of work) | Town of Silverthorne Permit Fees page; no distinct TI-specific fee table is published |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of the Building Permit Fee | Due at submittal, per the Commercial Remodels accordion page, confirmed 2026-08-02 |
| Water and Sewer Tap Fees | Per Town Code Sec. 3-2-1, if applicable | Listed among fees due before permit issuance, conditional on whether the TI scope changes water/sewer service |
Sign Permit
VerifiedRequired for any new sign, or any change to an existing sign, in Silverthorne, per the Town's dedicated Signs and Banners page (Community Development / Planning). Planning reviews all sign permit applications and inspects signs once installed. Commercial signs are additionally governed by location and the Sign District in which they sit, and any property applying for a sign permit must first have an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan on file with the Community Development Department (Town Code Sec. 4-9-13). Temporary banners are a related, separate permit category.
Verified 2026-08-14 · Source
Requirements
- Any new sign, or any change to an existing sign, requires a sign permit
- Planning reviews all sign permit applications and inspects signs once they are installed
- Any property applying for a sign permit must have an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan on file; if the property does not already have one, see Sec. 4-9-13 of the Town's Sign Code for requirements — comprehensive sign plans are compiled by building owners and kept on file with the Community Development Department
- Commercial signs are governed by location and the Sign District in which the property sits
- Submittal documents required for staff review: landowner authorization letter; one complete scalable drawing showing size, shape, design, materials, colors, site plan, building elevations, specific sign location, copy, mounting method, and lighting; building elevations (for wall signs); site plan (for freestanding signs)
- Temporary banners are a related, separate permit: one banner per address, maximum 32 sq ft, maximum 18 weeks per year (in one-week intervals), attached to a permanent structure on all four corners, per Town Code Sec. 4-9-5(h)
Required documents
- RequiredSign Permit Application (SmartGov Portal)
- RequiredLandowner Authorization Letter
- RequiredScalable Sign DrawingShowing size, shape, design, materials, colors, site plan, building elevations, specific sign location, copy, mounting method, and lighting
- RequiredComprehensive Sign PlanMust be on file for the property before an individual sign permit will be approved; compiled by the building owner per Sec. 4-9-13 of the Sign Code
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Permit Fee | $2.00 per square foot of total sign area | Town of Silverthorne Signs and Banners page |
| Banner Permit Fee | $15.00 per week | Maximum 32 sq ft, maximum 18 weeks per year, one banner per address, per Town Code Sec. 4-9-5(h) |
Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm System Permit
VerifiedFire protection for Silverthorne is provided by Summit Fire & EMS Fire Protection District (P.O. Box 4910, Frisco, CO 80443; (970) 262-5100; permits@summitfire.org) — the same district already referenced elsewhere in this record as the outside agency requiring fire-mitigation and life-safety/sprinkler permits alongside Town building permits. Summit Fire & EMS's own Permits page separately and explicitly lists sprinklers and monitored fire alarms as one of its permit-requiring categories, applied for and paid directly to the District (not the Town of Silverthorne). Governed by the International Fire Code as adopted by Summit Fire & EMS, plus current editions of NFPA 13/13R/13D (building fire sprinklers) and NFPA 72 (fire alarms).
Verified 2026-08-14 · Source
Requirements
- A Summit Fire & EMS permit is required for sprinklers and monitored fire alarms, in addition to and separate from any Town of Silverthorne building permit
- Governed by the International Fire Code as adopted by Summit Fire & EMS, plus current editions of NFPA 13, 13R, 13D (building fire sprinklers) and NFPA 72 (fire alarms)
- Application submitted directly to Summit Fire & EMS via its online 'Apply for a Permit' portal; permit fees are due at time of application by electronic check or credit card
- Drawings: one digital copy submitted as a PDF with the permit application; minimum acceptable scale 1/8 inch to the foot; owner/installing-contractor name, address, and phone furnished; contractor's license classification and number stamped on drawings; equipment data sheets for each device with applicable information highlighted; symbols per NFPA 170; ceiling heights/detail and square footage shown
- No work shall be performed without an approved set of plans; missing or inaccurate information may lead to plan rejection and a resubmittal fee
- Fire sprinkler and alarm final inspections must be coordinated and scheduled for the same time; inspections requested at least two business days in advance via the Inspection Request portal or (970) 262-5215
- Certification letters are required before any system receives final approval
- Work started without receipt of a permit results in the permit fee being doubled, per the District's Fee Schedule
Required documents
- RequiredSummit Fire & EMS Permit Application (online portal)Submitted directly to Summit Fire & EMS, not through the Town of Silverthorne's SmartGov portal
- RequiredStamped Drawings and Equipment Data SheetsOne digital PDF copy, minimum 1/8 inch-to-the-foot scale, contractor license classification/number stamped, equipment data sheets per device
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sprinkler System Construction Permit | $400.00 base fee, plus $4.00 per device | Summit Fire & EMS Fee Schedule, Resolution 2024-06, effective 1/1/2025, Section II.6.B |
| Fire Alarm System Construction Permit | $400.00 base fee, plus $4.00 per device | Summit Fire & EMS Fee Schedule, Resolution 2024-06, Section II.6.F |
| Fire Alarm or Sprinkler System in One & Two Family Dwellings and Group R-3's | $400.00 base fee, plus $4.00 per device | Summit Fire & EMS Fee Schedule, Resolution 2024-06, Section II.6.H |
| Additional Plan Review / Resubmittal (incomplete or revised submittals) | $150.00 per hour, one-hour minimum | Summit Fire & EMS Fee Schedule, Resolution 2024-06, Section II.2 |
| Required Additional / Re-inspection | $200.00 for the first two hours (minimum), plus $75.00 for each additional hour or portion thereof | Summit Fire & EMS Fee Schedule, Resolution 2024-06, Section II.15 |
Change of Use Permit
VerifiedSilverthorne has no permit called 'Change of Use Permit' issued by the Town itself — a change of use in existing commercial space is one of five scenarios ('Tenant Finish/Improvement Landlord Work/White Box/Core and Shell/Change in Use') folded into the Town's single Commercial Remodels building permit track (see the tenant-improvement-permit entry for that track's full submittal package, fees, and process). Separately and in addition, Summit Fire & EMS Fire Protection District's own Permits page explicitly lists 'Change of use in business establishments' as one of the categories requiring its own fire-department permit, distinct from and independent of the Town's building-permit process.
Verified 2026-08-14 · Source
Requirements
- A change of use within existing commercial space is one of five named scenarios ('Tenant Finish/Improvement Landlord Work/White Box/Core and Shell/Change in Use') under the Town of Silverthorne's single Commercial Remodels building permit track — there is no separate Town-issued 'Change of Use Permit' application, checklist, or fee distinct from that track (see the tenant-improvement-permit entry for the Commercial Remodels submittal package, fees, and process)
- Separately, Summit Fire & EMS Fire Protection District's own Permits page lists 'Change of use in business establishments' as one of the categories requiring a Summit Fire & EMS permit, in addition to and independent of any Town of Silverthorne building permit
- No distinct fee line item labeled 'change of use' is published by Summit Fire & EMS; the closest published category is the District's Construction Permit/Tenant Finish Permit fee: $400.00 flat for a building-department valuation of $50,000 or less, or building-department valuation x $0.008 for valuations over $50,000, plus $150.00/hour (one-hour minimum) for additional plan review from revisions or incomplete submittals
- Outside-agency sign-off from Summit County Environmental Health is required if the change of use involves food service, a school, or a public pool, per the Town's Outside Agency Permits page (documented elsewhere in this record)
Required documents
- RequiredCommercial Remodel / Tenant Improvement Permit Application (SmartGov Portal)Same Town application used for all five Commercial Remodels scenarios, including Change in Use — see the tenant-improvement-permit entry
- RequiredSummit Fire & EMS Permit Application (online portal)Separate application to Summit Fire & EMS, whose own Permits page lists 'Change of use in business establishments' as a permit-requiring category
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Town Building Permit / Plan Review Fee (Commercial Remodels track) | Same fee structure as the tenant-improvement-permit entry (valuation-based Building Permit Fee plus 65% Plan Review Fee); no distinct change-of-use fee line exists. See that entry for figures. | |
| Summit Fire & EMS Construction Permit / Tenant Finish Permit Fee | $400.00 flat for a building-department valuation of $50,000 or less; building-department valuation x $0.008 for valuations over $50,000 | Summit Fire & EMS Fee Schedule, Resolution 2024-06, Section II.2 — the closest published fee category to a change-of-use permit; no fee line is separately labeled 'change of use' |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-13.
Fee schedules
Applications & forms
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 Silverthorne building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.