This is PermitBase’s published record for Cripple Creek 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 It has since been superseded — see the current record.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.
Cripple Creek building permits
Cripple Creek, Colorado — as published 2026-07-06.
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
Required for new construction of single-family homes and similar residential structures in the City of Cripple Creek. Reviewed under the 2018 IRC/IBC (as locally adopted and amended) by the Building Department, now operating with SAFEbuilt as the City's plan review/permit/inspection contractor. Any exterior work within a designated Historic District additionally requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission before or alongside permit review.
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Plans reviewed under the 2018 IBC/IRC as locally adopted and amended by Cripple Creek Municipal Code Ch. 18
- Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission required before/alongside permit approval for any project within a designated Historic District (most of central Cripple Creek, including the Bennett Avenue Historic District, given the City's National Historic Landmark/District status)
- Improvement Location Certificate (ILC) and Setback & Elevation Certificate by a licensed Colorado surveyor required for all new foundations, submitted before a rough framing inspection can be requested; an Improvement Survey Plat (ISP) additionally required if a variance permits construction within setbacks or the foundation sits within 5 feet of the property line
- Soil classification by a Colorado-licensed engineer required at each building site (except accessory structures of 750 sq ft or less at a one/two-family dwelling); all foundations designed for soil adequacy by a Colorado-licensed architect or engineer
- Design snow load minimum 40 lbs/sq ft live load (site-specific case study required in map-designated 'CS' areas), or per the Colorado Design Snow Loads Report and Map if designed by a licensed Colorado design professional; minimum design wind speed 115 mph, Exposure C
- Contractor must hold a current City of Cripple Creek contractor's license (except state-licensed electrical contractors performing electrical work) in addition to any required Colorado state trade license
- Homeowners may self-build a maximum of one principal residence within a 24-month period without a contractor's license, assuming full code-compliance liability
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Building Department; City notes it is currently implementing new permitting software — call (719) 689-3588 ext. 1 to confirm current submission process
- OptionalCertificate of Appropriateness (if within a Historic District)Issued by the Historic Preservation Commission after review against the City's design Guidelines; expires 12 months after issuance unless a building permit is issued, then runs concurrently with it
- RequiredImprovement Location Certificate (ILC) and Setback & Elevation CertificateCompleted by a licensed Colorado surveyor; required for all new foundations, submitted prior to requesting a rough framing inspection
- RequiredSoils ReportBy a Colorado-licensed engineer, for all building sites except accessory structures of 750 sq ft or less at a one/two-family dwelling
- RequiredAsbestos assessment materialsPer the City's published Asbestos Renovation and Demolition Requirements document
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Set per the City of Cripple Creek Building Fee Schedule (valuation-based), adopted/amended by City Council resolution (most recently identified reference: Resolution 2021-21, 'Approving the Building, Planning and Community Development Fee Schedule') | Numeric fee table not located on a City or SAFEbuilt .gov/.com page as of this review despite direct checks of the Building Department pages, the Municode ordinance text (Ch. 18 Sec. 109.2, which states only that fees are 'in accordance with the City of Cripple Creek Building Fee Schedule'), and the Council-meeting-minutes PDF archive. Contact the Building Department (719-689-3588 ext. 1) or SAFEbuilt directly for the current fee table. |
| Investigative Fee | Set by City Council; applies when work requiring a permit has commenced without one, in addition to any other penalty | — |
Residential Addition / Remodel Permit
Required for additions and remodels to existing residential structures in Cripple Creek, reviewed under the locally adopted 2018 IRC/IBC. Any exterior alteration or addition of 10% or more of a structure's exterior surface within a designated Historic District is defined as 'New Construction' under the Historic Preservation Ordinance and requires a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Plans reviewed under the 2018 IRC/IBC as locally adopted and amended
- Per the Historic Preservation Ordinance, an addition of 10% or more exterior surface (in any cumulative time period) to an existing structure within a designated Historic District is itself classified as 'New Construction' and requires a Certificate of Appropriateness
- Repair and maintenance work that does not change the design, material, or outer appearance of a structure ('Ordinary Maintenance,' e.g. repainting within the approved palette, landscaping) does not require a Certificate of Appropriateness
- Contractor must hold a City of Cripple Creek contractor's license plus any required Colorado state trade license
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Building Department
- OptionalCertificate of Appropriateness, Certificate of Nonapplicability, or Certificate of Economic Hardship (if within a Historic District)Required if the scope constitutes 'New Construction' (10%+ exterior surface change) or any material alteration within a designated Historic District; a Certificate of Nonapplicability may instead be issued by the Commission if the work is determined not to require full review
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Set per the City of Cripple Creek Building Fee Schedule (valuation-based), adopted/amended by City Council resolution | Numeric fee table not located on a City or SAFEbuilt page as of this review; contact the Building Department directly |
Electrical Permit
Required for installation, alteration, or repair of electrical systems in Cripple Creek. Governed by the most current NEC edition as adopted by the State of Colorado. Electrical licensing is anchored to the State of Colorado Electrical Board (DORA) — the City verifies but does not independently license electricians; City Building Inspectors are authorized and required by state law to perform random job-site license reviews.
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Governed by the most current NEC edition as adopted by the State of Colorado (Cripple Creek Municipal Code Ch. 18, Art. 11 floats to the state-adopted edition rather than fixing a local NEC year)
- Electricians must hold a current Colorado State electrician license or be a registered apprentice per CRS 12-23-101 definitions; City Building Inspectors are authorized and required by state law to perform random reviews of these licenses on job sites
- No more than 3 apprentices per licensed Journeyman or Master electrician permitted on a job site; non-compliant workers or workers unable to produce their license cards must leave the site, and the company is reported to DORA
- Electrical contractors are exempt from the City's general contractor-licensing requirement while engaged in electrical work (Ch. 18-1-20(b)), since they are separately licensed by the State
- Electrical permit fees are set 'in an amount as adopted by resolution' per the local NEC amendment
Required documents
- RequiredElectrical Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Building Department
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit Fee | Set by City Council resolution | Numeric fee table not located on a City or SAFEbuilt page as of this review; contact the Building Department directly. Underlying state-mandated fee floor governed by CRS 12-23-117(3), as in other Colorado home-rule jurisdictions, though no local surcharge percentage was located for Cripple Creek specifically. |
Plumbing Permit
Required for installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing systems in Cripple Creek. Governed by the most current IPC edition as adopted by the State of Colorado, with a local freezing-protection amendment. Plumbing licensing is anchored to the State of Colorado Plumbing Board (DORA), verified but not independently issued by the City.
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Governed by the most current IPC edition as adopted by the State of Colorado (Cripple Creek Municipal Code Ch. 18, Art. 5 floats to the state-adopted edition), with a local amendment to Section 305.4 (Freezing): exterior water supply piping must be installed not less than 24 inches below the frost line and not less than 36 inches below grade
- Plumbers must hold a current Colorado State plumber license or be a registered apprentice per CRS 12-58-102 definitions; City Building Inspectors are authorized and required by state law to perform random reviews of these licenses on job sites, enforcing the same 3-apprentice-per-licensed-worker ratio as electrical
- All contractors performing plumbing work (other than state-licensed electrical contractors, which is a separate trade) must hold a City of Cripple Creek contractor's license
Required documents
- RequiredPlumbing Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Building Department
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Permit Fee | Set per the City of Cripple Creek Building Fee Schedule, adopted/amended by City Council resolution | Numeric fee table not located on a City or SAFEbuilt page as of this review; contact the Building Department directly |
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment installation or replacement in Cripple Creek. Governed by the 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and 2015 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) as locally adopted.
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Governed by the 2018 IMC and 2015 IFGC as adopted by Cripple Creek Municipal Code Ch. 18, Art. 6 and Art. 7
- Contractor must hold a current City of Cripple Creek contractor's license plus any required Colorado state trade licensure
Required documents
- RequiredMechanical Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Building Department
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Permit Fee | Set per the City of Cripple Creek Building Fee Schedule, adopted/amended by City Council resolution | Numeric fee table not located on a City or SAFEbuilt page as of this review; contact the Building Department directly |
Reroof Permit
Required for reroofing work in Cripple Creek. Any roof material/covering change other than like-for-like materials requires a roof evaluation from a licensed Colorado engineer; roofs within a designated Historic District are additionally subject to the Historic Preservation Commission's roofing material/color design guidelines.
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Roof evaluation from a licensed Colorado engineer required whenever roofing materials or coverings are changed to something other than like materials (IBC Sec. 1608.1, local amendment)
- Within a designated Historic District, roofing color must be muted (grey, dark brown, dark green, or dark red per the Development Code's historic design guidelines); variegated/multi-tone shingle colors common in some asphalt shingles are considered inappropriate and may be denied a Certificate of Appropriateness
- Minimum design roof snow load is 40 lbs/sq ft live load, with site-specific case studies required in map-designated 'CS' (case study) areas
Required documents
- RequiredRoofing Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Building Department
- OptionalRoof Evaluation ReportBy a licensed Colorado engineer, required for any change of roofing material/covering other than like-for-like replacement
- OptionalCertificate of Appropriateness (if within a Historic District)Required for roofing material/color changes visible on a structure within a designated Historic District
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Set per the City of Cripple Creek Building Fee Schedule, adopted/amended by City Council resolution | Numeric fee table not located on a City or SAFEbuilt page as of this review; contact the Building Department directly |
Rooftop Solar / Photovoltaic Permit
Required for solar photovoltaic and solar thermal installations in Cripple Creek. Within the B and BB (historic business) zone districts, the Development Code imposes specific placement rules to protect the visual character of the Historic District; outside those districts, standard electrical/building permit review applies under the locally adopted NEC and IBC.
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Within the B and BB Zone Districts, solar device placement must follow a preference order: (1) integrated photovoltaic device, (2) detached in a side or rear yard away from the right-of-way, (3) on non-historic structures/additions, (4) on an accessory structure, (5) on the primary structure but not highly visible from a public right-of-way
- Integrated devices and accessory equipment must match the color of the mounting surface; non-integrated roof-mounted devices on the primary structure must be parallel to the roofline and flush against the roof surface
- Devices placed on the primary structure may not alter defining historic character features
- Electrical work governed by the most current NEC edition as adopted by the State of Colorado
- Electrical contractor must hold current Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA) licensure, verified by the City per its standard random job-site review policy
Required documents
- RequiredElectrical / Building Permit Application — Solar scopeSubmitted to the Building Department
- OptionalCertificate of Appropriateness (if within the B or BB Historic zone districts)Required given the Development Code's explicit solar-device placement rules for these historic business districts
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit Fee | Set by City Council resolution | Numeric fee table not located on a City or SAFEbuilt page as of this review; contact the Building Department directly |
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit
Required for construction of an Accessory Dwelling Unit in Cripple Creek. ADUs are an explicitly permitted accessory use under the City's 2025 Development Code (Section 1.5.12, amended by Ordinance 2025-06), consistent with Colorado's statewide ADU-legalization push (HB24-1152).
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Maximum of one ADU per primary structure
- ADU square footage capped at 750 sq ft or 50% of the primary structure's square footage, whichever is larger
- Front and side setbacks must match the primary structure; rear setback is 5 feet (with or without a rear lane per the Development Code table)
- Detached ADU requires a minimum of 1 story above a basement story; maximum height may not exceed the primary structure's height (measured from finished grade to the highest roof point)
- An off-street parking space is generally required per ADU, subject to exceptions tied to on-street parking availability and pre-January-1-2024 zoning district requirements per Development Code Table 1.7(3)(f)
- Standard building/electrical/plumbing/mechanical permit review applies per the applicable adopted codes (2018 IRC/IBC etc.)
- Certificate of Appropriateness required if the ADU is located within a designated Historic District
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application — ADU scopeSubmitted to the Building Department
- RequiredSite PlanShowing ADU placement, setbacks, and parking per Development Code Section 1.5.12
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Set per the City of Cripple Creek Building Fee Schedule, adopted/amended by City Council resolution | Numeric fee table not located on a City or SAFEbuilt page as of this review; contact the Building Department directly |
Demolition Permit
Required for demolition of any structure in Cripple Creek. Demolition of a structure, site, or object within a designated Historic District requires the Historic Preservation Commission's recommendation and issuance of a valid Certificate of Appropriateness before demolition may proceed; unauthorized demolition within a Historic District carries specific penalties under the Historic Preservation Ordinance and the City's Revised Demolition Ordinance.
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission required before demolition of any structure, site, or object within a designated Historic District — no demolition may occur until the Commission has provided its recommendation and a valid Certificate of Appropriateness has been issued
- Demolition without a Certificate of Appropriateness within a Historic District, where required, is a penalized violation: the Council will not issue any business and/or gaming license, nor grant any zoning variance or approve any building plans, in response to a willful violation or gross negligence under the Historic Preservation Ordinance
- Asbestos assessment required per the City's published Asbestos Renovation and Demolition Requirements document prior to demolition
Required documents
- RequiredDemolition Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Building Department
- OptionalCertificate of Appropriateness (if within a Historic District)Mandatory before any demolition within a designated Historic District
- RequiredAsbestos Renovation and Demolition AssessmentPer the City's published Asbestos Renovation and Demolition Requirements document
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition Permit Fee | Set per the City of Cripple Creek Building Fee Schedule, adopted/amended by City Council resolution | Numeric fee table not located on a City or SAFEbuilt page as of this review; contact the Building Department directly |
Commercial Tenant Improvement Permit
Required for interior build-out or alteration of commercial space in Cripple Creek. Reviewed under the 2018 IBC as locally adopted; commercial properties within the Bennett Avenue Historic District (much of the City's B and BB zone districts) are additionally subject to Historic Preservation Commission review for any exterior-visible changes.
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Plans reviewed under the 2018 IBC as locally adopted and amended by Cripple Creek Municipal Code Ch. 18
- Certificate of Appropriateness required for any exterior-visible alteration to a commercial structure within a designated Historic District (interior-only tenant improvements with no exterior change generally fall outside Historic Preservation Commission review, per the Ordinance's 'Ordinary Maintenance'/interior-scope distinctions)
- Contractor must hold a current City of Cripple Creek contractor's license plus any required Colorado state trade license
Required documents
- RequiredCommercial Building Permit Application — Tenant Improvement scopeSubmitted to the Building Department
- OptionalCertificate of Appropriateness (if exterior changes within a Historic District)Required for exterior-visible alterations to commercial structures within a designated Historic District
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Set per the City of Cripple Creek Building Fee Schedule, adopted/amended by City Council resolution | Numeric fee table not located on a City or SAFEbuilt page as of this review; contact the Building Department directly |
Deck / Covered Patio Permit
Required for construction of a deck, covered patio, or similar attached/detached structure in Cripple Creek. Reviewed under the 2018 IRC/IBC as locally adopted; subject to the same foundation survey, snow-load, and (within a Historic District) Certificate of Appropriateness requirements as other exterior construction.
Reviewed 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Plans reviewed under the 2018 IRC/IBC as locally adopted and amended
- Improvement Location Certificate (ILC)/Setback & Elevation Certificate required if the deck/patio involves a new foundation footing subject to the local survey-requirements amendment
- Minimum design roof snow load of 40 lbs/sq ft applies to covered patios/structures with a roof
- Certificate of Appropriateness required if the structure is within a designated Historic District and visible from a public right-of-way
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application — Deck/Patio scopeSubmitted to the Building Department
- RequiredSite PlanShowing setbacks and structure placement
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Set per the City of Cripple Creek Building Fee Schedule, adopted/amended by City Council resolution | Numeric fee table not located on a City or SAFEbuilt page as of this review; contact the Building Department directly |
Sources & verification
Key facts 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 Cripple Creek building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.