Severance building permits

Requirements

• Plans must comply with the 2024 IRC and 2024 IECC as adopted, and meet the Town's Design Criteria: 115 mph ultimate wind speed (ice and water shield + under-floor protection required), Seismic Design Category B, 30-inch frost line, 30 PSF roof live load / 15 PSF roof dead load / 30 PSF ground snow load
• EV-ready, Solar-ready, and Electric-ready documentation required per the 2026 SAFEbuilt Residential Application Checklist: minimum 40-amp EV circuit within 3 ft of a parking space; roof plan solar-ready zone(s) with prewire routing and truss dead-load verification; electric-ready prewire note and full-load calculation for new single-family/two-family/townhome dwellings
• Manual J, D, and S compliance calculations required
• 2024 IECC energy code compliance required via ResCheck or an energy rating company report, or full prescriptive-method documentation
• Engineered structural plans and foundation plans stamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer
• Metro District/HOA approval letter required if applicable (check with subdivision ARC committee before submitting)
• Contractor must hold a current Town of Severance Contractor License (Class A or B) plus, for electrical/plumbing trades, a current Colorado State license (contemporaneously verified, no separate town fee for those trades)
• Since 2015: footing, foundation reinforcement, perimeter drain (Colorado-licensed engineer inspection), and U-fer ground engineer letters plus a signed Town Setback Certification form must be submitted to SAFEbuilt before the underground plumbing inspection and before framing begins
• Applications submitted online via the Community Core portal only

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted via the Town of Severance Community Core portal
• RequiredSite/Plot PlanProperty address, north arrow/scale, lot dimensions, all projections, distances to property lines and existing structures, registered design professional's seal
• RequiredArchitectural/Floor Plans, Engineered Structural Plans, Electrical Plans, Mechanical PlansMaster set with all elevations/options; electrical plans must address Electric/Solar/EV-ready per current checklist
• RequiredManual J, D, and S Compliance Calculations
• Required2024 IECC Energy Code Compliance (ResCheck or equivalent)
• OptionalMetro District/HOA Approval LetterRequired if the property is within a Metro District or HOA with ARC review
• RequiredSetback Certification Letter and FormSigned and stamped by a Colorado-licensed surveyor; required before underground plumbing inspection/framing and again at Certificate of Occupancy

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A permit is required for additions, basement finishes (partial or full), kitchen remodels, structural modifications (including wall removal/addition), siding/stucco/brick work, and accessory structures exceeding 120 sq ft or a 10-ft peak height
• Site plan showing the project's relationship to setbacks, easements, utilities, and other structures/property lines required
• A survey from a registered land surveyor required if the project is in a protected area; an as-built survey required if proposed within 12 inches of a required minimum setback
• Combustion equipment (furnaces, water heaters, etc.) may need to comply with the State of Colorado Electric Ready Code
• No standalone Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) permit type exists in Severance; ADU construction is processed through this addition/accessory-structure pathway once the ADU is confirmed as a zoning-allowed use under Chapter 16 (Land Use Code) of the Municipal Code. CONFIRMED 2026-07-23 via the Town's codified Municipal Code: Ordinance No. 2026-01 (adopted 3/10/26, published 3/19/26, effective 30 days later per Sec. 6.03(6) of the Town's Home Rule Charter, i.e. ~4/18/26 — currently in force) amended Chapter 16 Tables 16.3.220 (Suburban Perimeter), 16.3.320 (Town Core), and 16.3.420 (Development Node) 'to bring the Town's Code into compliance with ... HB24-1152.' All three tables list 'Accessory dwelling unit' as a permitted use-by-right (n/a minimum lot size/density) with dimensional standards: front setback 'Behind front of principal dwelling', side setback 7.5 ft, corner side setback 15 ft, rear setback reduced by this ordinance from 15 ft to 5 ft, maximum height 2 stories — confirming ADUs are a real, currently-effective zoning-allowed use in all three districts, not merely a 2025-dated draft document reference.
• Contractor must hold a current Town of Severance Contractor License; homeowners performing their own work at a single residence are exempt from the contractor-license requirement (but not from permitting)

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted via Community Core
• RequiredSite PlanProperty survey showing setbacks, easements, utilities, distances to property lines and other structures
• RequiredConstruction Details / Floor Plan

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Governed by the 2023 NEC as adopted by the Town
• Electricians must hold a current Colorado State Electrical license and Master Electrician license, plus a State-issued ID, contemporaneously verified per the Town's Procedure for Contemporaneous Reviews of Electrical & Plumbing Licenses (referencing dpo.colorado.gov/EandP/ContemporaneousReview)
• No separate Town electrical trade exam or local licensing fee — the Contractor License Application lists Electrical under Class C Trades as 'Verified through the State, no fee'
• Electric-ready, Solar-ready, and EV-ready provisions require load calculations, one-line diagrams, and fault-current analysis to be shown on electrical plans for new residential and commercial construction

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding/Electrical Permit ApplicationSubmitted via Community Core
• RequiredColorado State Electrical License and Master Electrician LicenseVerified contemporaneously by the Town/SAFEbuilt against DORA's State Electrical Board records

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Governed by the 2018 IPC (commercial, per the codified Municipal Code Sec. 18-4-10) / 2024 IRC plumbing provisions (residential) as adopted — note the Town's SAFEbuilt Design Criteria summary PDF labels commercial plumbing '2024 IPC,' but the codified ordinance itself (Ord. No. 2025-27 § 6) states 2018
• Plumbers must hold a current Colorado State Plumbing license and Master Plumber license, plus a State-issued ID, contemporaneously verified per the Town's Contemporaneous Review procedure
• No separate Town plumbing trade exam or local licensing fee — listed on the Contractor License Application as 'Verified through the State, no fee'
• Plumbing modifications (water heater installation/replacement, gas piping, gas log installation) require a permit per the What Needs a Permit guide

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding/Plumbing Permit ApplicationSubmitted via Community Core
• RequiredColorado State Plumbing License and Master Plumber LicenseVerified contemporaneously by the Town/SAFEbuilt against DORA's State Plumbing Board records

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Governed by the 2018 IMC (per the codified Municipal Code Sec. 18-3-10, Ord. No. 2025-27 § 4) and the 2024 IFGC (Sec. 18-6-10, Ord. No. 2025-27 § 5) as adopted — note the Town's SAFEbuilt Design Criteria summary PDF labels commercial mechanical '2024 IMC,' but the codified ordinance itself states 2018
• Air conditioner and furnace installation/replacement, boiler installation/replacement, and gas piping/gas log work all require a permit per the What Needs a Permit guide
• Combustion equipment may need to comply with the State of Colorado Electric Ready Code
• Mechanical plans (duct sizes/locations, equipment location) required as part of residential and commercial submittal packages

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding/Mechanical Permit ApplicationSubmitted via Community Core
• RequiredMechanical PlansDuct sizes and locations, equipment locations, termination sizes/locations

Fee schedule

Requirements

• One permit is required per building on the property for re-roofing
• No more than two (2) layers of roofing are allowed upon completion of installation
• Roof sheathing must provide a rigid surface for complete tear-offs; warped/cracked/delaminated boards must be repaired or replaced
• New minimum 15# asphalt-saturated felt underlayment required on a dry deck for complete tear-offs, with lap requirements varying by roof slope (one layer for 4:12+ slopes; 19-inch laps for 2:12-4:12 slopes)
• Fasteners must penetrate through the total roofing thickness and a minimum of 3/4 inch into the decking material
• Existing roof jacks/vents in poor condition, badly rusted, or deteriorated must be replaced
• Homeowners may perform their own re-roof work
• Shingle repair/replacement not exceeding 100 sq ft of coverage per building is exempt from permitting

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted via Community Core

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Permit application valuation must be based on total cost to the customer (contract price), including materials and labor, regardless of whether provided by the contractor or property owner
• Plan review required for each building on a property; separate permits may be required per address
• Structural engineer's stamped letter required, addressing added roof dead load and additional wind load from the panels; letter must state design to minimum 30 psf ground snow load, 115 mph Vult wind speed, wind exposure C, and Seismic Design Category B
• Ground-mounted systems require a separate engineer-stamped letter for system support and wind load, using the same design criteria
• Four-line electrical diagram required showing modules, circuits, wire sizes/insulation, conduit, junction boxes, inverter, combiner panel, disconnect, meter, fuses/breakers, and grounding
• Roof-mount systems must use worst-case ambient temperature of 56-60 degrees C for conductor ampacity temperature-rating adjustments
• Zoning compliance is the applicant's responsibility to verify directly with the jurisdiction
• The color red may not be used on submitted plans by the preparer — reserved for plans examiner comments

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding/Electrical Permit ApplicationSubmitted via Community Core; describe work completely with contract-price valuation
• RequiredStructural Engineer Stamped LetterAddressing roof dead load and wind load per the Town's 115 mph / 30 psf / Seismic B design criteria
• RequiredFour-Line Electrical Diagram and Equipment Cut Sheets

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A person, firm, or corporation cannot erect, construct, alter, repair, move, or demolish any building or structure without first obtaining a building permit, per the What Needs a Permit guide
• All building permits, including demolition, are applied for online via Community Core

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted via Community Core, describing the demolition scope

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Building permit application describing project scope, square footage, total project valuation, electrical valuation, surrounding-space use, construction type, and occupancy group
• Architectural plans (stamped by a Colorado-licensed architect or engineer) required, including floor plan, wall section details, building section, fire-rating details, and code summary
• Structural plans required for any structural changes (bearing wall removal/openings, floor systems for storage, etc.)
• Electrical plans required for added circuits, service upgrades, or emergency lighting, including load calculations, one-line diagrams, and fault-current analysis
• Mechanical plans required for any HVAC equipment changes, relocation, or replacement of ductwork/refrigeration piping
• Plumbing plans required for any changes to sewer, drains, vents, water piping, roof drains, or gas piping
• Documentation showing compliance with the 2024 IECC required
• All plan sheets must bear the original seal of a Colorado-licensed architect or engineer per C.R.S., unless exempted under section 12-4-112 C.R.S.

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted via Community Core
• RequiredArchitectural, Structural, Electrical, and Mechanical/Plumbing PlansEach stamped by the appropriate Colorado-licensed design professional as applicable to project scope
• Required2024 IECC Compliance Documentation

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Site plan showing setbacks, house attachment details, guardrails, footings, and cross-section deck plan required per the Uncovered Decks & Porches guide
• Owner-builders are the responsible party of record; hiring an unlicensed contractor who secures an 'owner-builder' permit while implying the owner is providing labor/materials personally is flagged as a frequent improper practice in the Town's own guide
• Permits are valid for work to begin within six months of issuance

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted via Community Core
• RequiredSite Plan, House Attachment Detail, Guardrail Detail, Footing Detail, Cross-Section Deck PlanPer the Uncovered Decks & Porches guide's required submittal pages

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A building/electrical permit is required to install a new dedicated circuit and charging unit for an EV charging station in existing construction, processed under the Town's general Electrical Permit mechanism (2023 NEC as adopted)
• Electricians must hold a current Colorado State Electrical license and Master Electrician license, contemporaneously verified per the Town's Procedure for Contemporaneous Reviews of Electrical & Plumbing Licenses (dpo.colorado.gov/EandP/ContemporaneousReview) -- no separate Town electrical exam or local licensing fee
• New single-family, two-family, and townhome dwellings, and new commercial buildings, must already show an EV-ready minimum 40-amp dedicated circuit within 3 feet of a parking space on submitted plans per the 2026 SAFEbuilt Residential Application Checklist and the New Commercial Plan Submittal Procedure -- retrofitting a charger onto that pre-installed circuit may not require a new permit beyond the original construction permit, but adding a NEW circuit to existing construction does
• Applications submitted online via the Community Core portal only

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding/Electrical Permit ApplicationSubmitted via Community Core, same application used for other electrical alteration work
• RequiredColorado State Electrical License and Master Electrician LicenseVerified contemporaneously by the Town/SAFEbuilt against DORA's State Electrical Board records
• RequiredLoad Calculation / Circuit DiagramNew EV charging circuit breaker sizing and panel capacity

Fee schedule

Requirements

• A sign permit is required to erect, move, alter, reconstruct, or repair any permanent or temporary sign, except signs exempt under Section 16.5.420; changing/replacing the copy on an existing lawful sign does not require a new permit provided the copy change doesn't alter the sign's nature or create a violation
• A separate permit is required for each business entity's sign in a multiple-tenant building; separate building and/or electrical permits may also be required for a sign, determined case-by-case
• Applications made in writing; Town staff determines completeness, then reviews against: (1) compliance with this section; (2) conformance with adopted building/electrical Codes; (3) no interference with pedestrian/vehicular safety; (4) no detraction from an architecturally significant/historic structure; (5) no negative impact on adjacent property; (6) no detraction from pedestrian quality of the street/area; (7) no contribution to an over-proliferation of signs on the property/area
• Denial or approval-with-conditions may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment (BOA); a waiver for a larger-than-allowed sign area or a sign type not expressly permitted requires Town Council approval as a use by special review
• Exempt signs (no permit required) include: nonvisible signs; nonilluminated address signs up to 2 sq ft; non-illuminated building-identification/historical-marker signs; bulletin board signs up to 15 sq ft accessory to a church/school/nonprofit; temporary construction signs (max 8 sq ft residential / 16 sq ft other uses, one per street front, unlit, removed within 7 days of project completion or 1 year); courtesy signs up to 4 sq ft/face or 8 sq ft aggregate; holiday decorations displayed up to 60 days/year; on-premises directional signs up to 6 sq ft; door-glass signs; seasonal farm product signs; flags/crests/banners (non-commercial); garage/yard sale signs (up to twice per year per dwelling, max 3 days); memorial signs; notice boards for public/religious institutions; oil and gas operation identification signs
• Whenever a business/use is discontinued, its sign must be removed or obscured within 90 days of discontinuance
• Illegal signs in the public right-of-way may be removed by the Town and stored 30 days (recoverable only upon payment of removal/storage costs); unrecovered signs are declared abandoned with title vesting in the Town, and unpaid costs may become a tax lien
• Erecting a temporary sign requiring a permit without first obtaining one makes the person/entity ineligible for a temporary sign permit for the remainder of the calendar year

Required documents

• RequiredSign Permit ApplicationWritten application to Town staff per Land Use Code Sec. 16.5.415; no standalone downloadable PDF form was found on the Town's Building Permits/Guides or Land Use Code pages as of this review
• OptionalTemporary Sign Permit ApplicationRequired for temporary signs per Sec. 16.5.425; published flat fee of $100.00 (Sec. 16.15.020) on the Town's 2026 Fee Schedule

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Fire Alarm Permit submittals must include: a valid contractor's license or equivalent certification; a completed permit application with correct address and valuation; three sets of plans at minimum 1/8" scale (a maximum of three sets will be stamped; digital plans also accepted); a PE or NICET Level III stamp on all plans; a minimum of one set of material cut sheets; voltage drop calculations; battery calculations; a symbol list; and a riser diagram
• Fire Sprinkler Permit submittals must include: a valid contractor's license or equivalent certification; a completed permit application with correct address and valuation; three sets of plans at minimum 1/8" scale (digital accepted); a PE or NICET Level III stamp on all plans; a minimum of one set of material cut sheets; hydraulic calculations; and water supply information including a flow test less than 1 year old
• Plans will not be reviewed until fees are received; plan reviews may then take up to 10 business days to complete
• Work completed without a permit is billed at double the original plan review and permit fee, per WSFR's own Plan Review & Fee Schedule page (the fee table separately caps the Delinquent Permit Fee — for work WSFR independently discovers is unpermitted — at double the original permit fee up to $1,000)
• Permits are valid for one year from issuance unless otherwise noted; an expired permit requires reapplication and an Expired Permit Fee of 65% of the original permit fee
• WSFR performs rough and final inspections of fire-protection systems for structures in Windsor, Severance, Larimer County, and Weld County; the final fire-protection-system inspection must be scheduled for the same time as the general building-permit final inspection, with all applicable contractors present, in order for the owner/occupant to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy or Letter of Completion
• Applicants should reference the 2024 IFC WSFR Amendments (in effect August 1, 2025) along with other applicable codes and standards when submitting plans

Required documents

• RequiredFire Alarm Permit ApplicationSubmitted to WSFR's Community Risk Reduction Division (online plan review application available at wsfr.us/plan-review-application)
• RequiredFire Sprinkler Permit ApplicationSubmitted to WSFR's Community Risk Reduction Division

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Site plan review is required for: (1) all development, including additions, in all zone districts except single-family or duplex residential dwelling uses; (2) establishment of a use by special review; or (3) any change of use from one primary use classification to another (e.g., residential to commercial), per Sec. 16.2.240(b)
• Submittal requirements: a complete land use application form and checklist with fees paid; a written letter of intent; property documentation/proof of ownership current within 30 calendar days of submittal; a site plan drawing (cover page, existing conditions, proposed site improvements/details, grading, utilities, landscaping, architectural elevations, lighting plan, site/building signage); engineering reports/studies as applicable (drainage, utility, soils/geotechnical, and a PE-prepared traffic study); and any other supporting materials the Town requires
• Reviewed against 9 criteria including consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and any prior subdivision/land-use approvals, easement protection, drainage/utility adequacy, and access/circulation consistency (Sec. 16.2.240(d))
• Following staff/referral-agency review and any resubmittals, the application is scheduled for Planning Commission review (which forwards a recommendation) and then Town Council, which makes the final decision
• Building permits will not be issued for development that doesn't conform to the approved site plan; a certificate of occupancy will not be issued for a building/structure built in violation of an approved site plan
• Site plan approval is effective for 2 years from the approval date (or as otherwise stated); building permits cannot be issued off a site plan approval more than 2 years old. A one-time extension of up to 1 year is available from the decision-maker upon written request and justification prior to expiration
• Separately, a nonconforming use may NOT be changed or replaced with a different nonconforming use, per Sec. 16.1.120(b) — this restriction is distinct from and narrower than the general change-of-use trigger above

Required documents

• RequiredLand Use Application Form and Checklist (Site Plan)
• RequiredWritten Letter of Intent
• RequiredProof of OwnershipMust be current as of 30 calendar days from the time of application submittal
• RequiredSite Plan DrawingCover page, existing conditions, proposed site improvements/details, grading, utilities, landscaping, architectural elevations, lighting plan, and site/building signage details
• OptionalEngineering Reports and StudiesDrainage, utility, soils/geotechnical reports, and a traffic study prepared by a registered professional engineer, as applicable

Fee schedule