You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-07-07.
Windsor building permits
VerifiedWindsor, Colorado — as published 2026-07-07.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
VerifiedRequired for new single-family homes and similar new residential construction in Windsor. Reviewed under the 2024 I-Codes (effective January 1, 2026) by SAFEbuilt under contract to the Town; the Town of Windsor is the issuing authority. New projects require a new Master Plan reviewed under the 2024 I-Codes — pre-2024-I-Code master plans cannot be revised or reused.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Plans must comply with the 2024 I-Codes (IBC/IRC/IECC/IFC/IMC/IPC/IFGC/IEBC/ISPSC as adopted), effective for all new building plans and master plans as of January 1, 2026
- A new Master Plan reviewed and approved under the 2024 I-Codes is required for all new residential construction; existing (legacy) master plans are not accepted for new projects
- No separate Town of Windsor contractor license is required, but electrical and plumbing contractors must hold current Colorado state (DORA) licenses
- Building Permit Fee = SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based fee (not separately published by the Town) + Windsor Administration Fee (25% of the SAFEbuilt fee) + Use Tax (3.65% of half the project's valuation)
- Windsor-Severance Fire Rescue (WSFR) impact fees, for permits received on or after June 26, 2026, are collected directly by WSFR and due within 30 days of permit issuance
- Permit expires if work has not begun within 180 days of issuance, or is halted for 180 days
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (submitted per SAFEbuilt/Town submittal checklist)Submitted to the Town's Community Development office (200 N. 11th Street) or by mail; SAFEbuilt performs plan review under contract
- RequiredMaster Plan (2024 I-Code compliant)Required for new residential construction; must be reviewed/approved under the current 2024 I-Codes
- RequiredSite Plan / Plot PlanShowing lot dimensions, setbacks, and existing/proposed structures
- RequiredEngineered Foundation PlansStamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Equal to SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based fee | SAFEbuilt calculates this fee directly per project valuation; the underlying valuation-tiered table is not published on a Town of Windsor page. Contact the Permit Technician (970-674-2436) or SAFEbuilt for a project-specific estimate. Town Fee Schedule, Updated 02.01.2026, Exhibit A |
| Windsor Administration Fee | 25% of the SAFEbuilt fee | Res 2016-91, Ord 2002-1106, Res 2014-51 |
| Use Tax | 3.65% of half the project's valuation | — |
| Water Tap / Meter Impact Fees | Varies by meter size, e.g. 3/4-inch Meter $341.00, 1-inch Meter $339.00, 1-inch Transponder $696.00 | Contact the Planning Department for an accurate project-specific estimate; full meter/transponder/yoke fee table in the Town Fee Schedule |
Residential Addition / Remodel Permit
VerifiedRequired for additions, basement finishes, wall additions/removals, and structural remodels to existing homes in Windsor. Basement finishes must be submitted on a separate, standalone permit and may not be bundled into a master plan.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for: adding or removing walls; new structures; moving or installing plumbing or electrical; finishing a basement — required 'even if you are doing all the work yourself' per the Town's own FAQ
- Basement finishes cannot be included with a master plan and must be submitted as a separate permit
- Reviewed under the 2024 I-Codes as adopted, effective January 1, 2026
- No separate Town contractor license required; electrical/plumbing contractors need current Colorado state (DORA) licenses
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationSubmitted to Community Development / Permit Technician
- RequiredFloor Plan / Construction DrawingsShowing scope of addition or remodel and connection to existing structure
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Equal to SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based fee (not separately published) | Town Fee Schedule, Updated 02.01.2026 |
| Windsor Administration Fee | 25% of the SAFEbuilt fee | — |
| Use Tax | 3.65% of half the project's valuation | — |
Electrical Permit
VerifiedRequired for installing or moving electrical systems in Windsor. Governed by the 2023 NEC, effective for applications submitted on or after January 1, 2024. No separate Town of Windsor contractor license is required; electrical contractors must hold a current Colorado Electrical Board (DORA) license.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for 'moving or installing plumbing or electric' per the Town's FAQ, even for owner-performed work
- Governed by the 2023 NEC, effective for permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2024 (per the Town's own '2023 NEC Adoption Letter')
- No Town of Windsor contractor license is required — the Building Permits page states verbatim 'There is NO contractor license required for contractors'
- Electrical contractors must hold a current Colorado Electrical Board (DORA) license and submit license documentation to the Town
Required documents
- RequiredElectrical Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Town's Permit Technician; SAFEbuilt performs inspections
- RequiredColorado Electrical Board (DORA) LicenseCurrent state license documentation submitted to the Town
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Fee | Equal to SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based fee (not separately published for standalone electrical work) | Town Fee Schedule, Updated 02.01.2026 — no standalone flat electrical fee table found published |
| Windsor Administration Fee | 25% of the SAFEbuilt fee | — |
Plumbing Permit
VerifiedRequired for installing or moving plumbing systems, and for lawn sprinkler system installation (potable or non-potable water hookup), in Windsor. Plumbing contractors must hold a current Colorado Plumbing Board (DORA) license; no separate Town contractor license is required.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for 'moving or installing plumbing' per the Town's FAQ, even for owner-performed work
- A building permit is explicitly required to install a sprinkler system, whether hooking up to Town of Windsor potable water or a non-potable system in a subdivision, per the Town's own FAQ
- No Town of Windsor contractor license required; plumbing contractors must hold a current Colorado Plumbing Board (DORA) license
Required documents
- RequiredPlumbing Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Town's Permit Technician; SAFEbuilt performs inspections
- RequiredColorado Plumbing Board (DORA) LicenseCurrent state license documentation
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Fee | Equal to SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based fee (not separately published for standalone plumbing work) | Town Fee Schedule, Updated 02.01.2026 |
| Windsor Administration Fee | 25% of the SAFEbuilt fee | — |
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
VerifiedRequired for mechanical system work (furnaces, HVAC equipment) as part of new construction, additions, or remodels in Windsor, reviewed under the 2024 I-Codes (IMC/IFGC as adopted). No standalone consumer-facing HVAC-swap FAQ entry was found distinct from the general remodel/electrical/plumbing permit triggers.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Mechanical work performed as part of new construction, additions, or remodels requires a building permit, per the general 'adding or removing walls...moving or installing plumbing or electric' FAQ trigger
- Reviewed under the 2024 I-Codes (International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code as adopted), effective January 1, 2026
- No Town of Windsor contractor license required for mechanical contractors
Required documents
- RequiredMechanical Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Town's Permit Technician; SAFEbuilt performs plan review and inspections
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Fee | Equal to SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based fee (not separately published for standalone mechanical work) | Town Fee Schedule, Updated 02.01.2026 |
| Windsor Administration Fee | 25% of the SAFEbuilt fee | — |
Roofing Permit (Reroof)
VerifiedRequired to re-roof a house in Windsor, so the Town can conduct required inspections confirming the work meets the adopted building code. Governed by the 2024 I-Codes' roofing provisions as adopted.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required to re-roof a house, per the Town's own FAQ (verbatim: 'The Town requires a building permit in order to conduct the required inspections and make sure that the construction meets the building code adopted by the Town of Windsor')
- Reviewed under the 2024 I-Codes as adopted, effective January 1, 2026
- Specific roofing code questions may be directed to SAFEbuilt (970-686-7511) per the Town's FAQ page
Required documents
- RequiredRoofing Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Town's Permit Technician; SAFEbuilt performs inspections
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Fee | Equal to SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based fee (not separately published for standalone roofing work) | Town Fee Schedule, Updated 02.01.2026 — no standalone flat roofing fee table found published |
| Windsor Administration Fee | 25% of the SAFEbuilt fee | — |
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit
VerifiedRequired for construction of an ADU in Windsor, a two-step process: first a Planning Department land-use application/approval (Municipal Code Sec. 14-2-100 zoning eligibility, Sec. 16-3-40 ADU regulations), then a standard building permit once the ADU land-use application is approved and recorded.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- ADUs are permitted as an accessory use in conjunction with all single-family detached dwellings in all zoning districts that permit single-family dwelling units
- ADU living space must be between 500 and 950 square feet, and the ADU's living space may not be larger than the living space of the principal dwelling
- A single-family dwelling must already exist as the principal dwelling on the lot, or be constructed in conjunction with the ADU; a Certificate of Occupancy will only be granted to the ADU after it has been granted to the principal dwelling
- An existing off-street parking space (driveway, garage, tandem parking, other off-street space, or on-street parking) must be available for designation to the ADU
- ADU must be compatible in design with the principal dwelling; photos of the principal home plus proposed ADU elevations (front and side) are required
- Type I (detached), Type II (attached/internal, locked off from the principal dwelling, considered a separate dwelling unit under the building code), and Type III (attached/internal, NOT locked off, considered part of one dwelling unit under the building code) are the three defined ADU types
- A Declaration of Restrictive Covenants must be recorded: the property owner (Declarant) must reside on the property as their primary residence (with a short-term-rental exception allowing residence in either the principal dwelling or the ADU while an STR permit is active); ADU ownership cannot be transferred separately from the principal dwelling, nor may the property be subdivided; the ADU is restricted to its approved size
- Two (2) sets of architectural/floor plans, engineered foundation plans (wet-stamped by a Colorado-licensed engineer for new detached structures), electrical plans, mechanical plans, fire separation assemblies (a listed 2-hour fire-rated horizontal/vertical assembly separating units per the IRC), and (if applicable) stamped fire protection plans are required
- Two (2) copies of Manual J and Manual D compliance calculations, plus IECC energy code compliance documentation (ResCheck or an energy rating company report), are required
- A soils report and Site Grading Certificate must be approved by the Town before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued
- Once the ADU land-use application is approved and recorded with the county, the applicant may then submit for the actual building permit
- Type I ADU site plans must be prepared and signed by a Colorado Licensed Surveyor or Engineer
Required documents
- RequiredAccessory Dwelling Unit Application PacketLand-use application, checklist, and Declaration of Restrictive Covenants, submitted to planningtechs@windsorgov.com
- RequiredSite Plan Submittal DocumentsLot boundaries, structure locations, setbacks, utilities, easements, land use table, architectural elevations, drainage/grading, foundation plans
- RequiredSAFEbuilt Accessory Dwelling Unit Submittal ChecklistBuilding-permit-specific submittal requirements (plot plans, architectural/electrical/mechanical plans, Manual J/D, IECC compliance) provided by SAFEbuilt for the subsequent building permit stage
- RequiredRecorded DeedCurrent copy of the recorded deed for the property
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADU Application Fee | Per the Town of Windsor Fee Schedule (Code Section 14-2-100) | Fee amount not legible in the Town's own Fee Schedule PDF extraction for this specific line item (Planning Fees section, '14-2-100 Accessory Dwelling Unit'); contact the Planning Department directly for the current dollar figure. Genuinely could not extract a clean number despite direct PDF review — flagged rather than guessed. |
| Building Permit Fee (for the subsequent building permit stage) | Equal to SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based fee | Standard Building Permit Fee + 25% Windsor Administration Fee + 3.65%-of-half-valuation Use Tax apply once the ADU proceeds to the building permit stage |
Fence / Wall Permit and Regulations
VerifiedFences meeting Windsor's standard fencing regulations generally do NOT require a building permit, per the Town's own FAQ, but all fences/walls/architectural screening devices must still conform to the zoning district's height, setback, and offset rules set out in the Town's Fence Regulations handout.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Generally, no permit is required for a fence, 'as long as the fence meets the standard fencing regulations,' per the Town's FAQ
- For non-industrially-zoned properties: maximum height 6 feet generally (unless specifically authorized otherwise); solid fences/walls/hedgerows/barriers over 4 feet are prohibited in the front yard; screening devices may extend 4-feet-tall from each front building corner into the front yard for up to 8 feet, beyond which the 4-foot cap continues to apply; chain-link fencing is prohibited in front yards
- Electrified fences (with a shock-capable charge) are prohibited town-wide
- All fences must conform to the visibility-triangle requirements of Municipal Code Sec. 16-10-10 at street intersections (no substantial impediment to visibility between 3 and 8 feet high within the defined 40-foot triangular area)
- Limited-industrially-zoned properties: 6-foot front-yard cap, up to 8-foot side/rear (conditional-use approval required beyond that), vinyl-clad chain-link required, limited barbed/smooth-wire strand allowances
- Heavy-industrially-zoned properties: 6-foot front-yard cap, up to 10-foot side/rear (conditional-use approval required beyond that), vinyl-clad chain-link required along rights-of-way/front yards
Required documents
- OptionalSite Plan (if permit determination requires one)Showing fence/wall location relative to property lines and the visibility triangle at any street intersection
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| No fee generally applicable | N/A | Most fences meeting the standard regulations require no permit and therefore no fee; contact the Permit Technician (970-674-2436) if a specific fence/wall design falls outside the standard regulations and requires review |
Shed / Accessory Structure Permit
VerifiedA permit is required for a shed or other accessory structure in Windsor only if it exceeds 120 square feet in area or is taller than 10 feet at the peak; placement is also restricted relative to the principal building.
Verified 2026-07-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required only if the shed/accessory structure exceeds 120 square feet OR stands taller than 10 feet at the peak, per the Town's own FAQ
- 'No accessory building, regardless of its size, shall be located any closer to the front property line than the rear corners of the principal building,' per the Town's FAQ (a placement rule that applies even to permit-exempt sheds)
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (if size/height thresholds are exceeded)Submitted to the Town's Permit Technician
- RequiredSite PlanShowing shed/accessory structure placement relative to the principal building's rear corners and the front property line
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Fee (only if size/height threshold exceeded) | Equal to SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based fee (not separately published for this scope) | Town Fee Schedule, Updated 02.01.2026 |
| Windsor Administration Fee | 25% of the SAFEbuilt fee | — |
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
VerifiedRequired for installation of rooftop residential or commercial solar photovoltaic systems within the Town of Windsor. Building permit review and inspection is contracted to SAFEbuilt, the same third party that administers all other Windsor building permits; the electrical portion is governed by the 2023 NEC. No dedicated solar/PV fee line item is published in the Town's Fee Schedule — solar is billed under the same SAFEbuilt valuation-based Building Permit Fee plus the Town's 25% Administration Fee, subject to Colorado's statewide solar permit fee cap.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Building permit required for the structural/roof-mounting portion, reviewed and inspected by SAFEbuilt under contract to the Town of Windsor
- Electrical permit required for PV wiring/interconnection, governed by the 2023 NEC (effective for applications submitted on or after January 1, 2024); no separate Town of Windsor contractor license required, but the electrician must hold a current Colorado Electrical Board (DORA) license
- Under Colorado's statewide solar permit fee cap (C.R.S. § 24-48.5-113, enacted by HB21-1284), a covered local jurisdiction's total building-permit-related fees for a residential solar PV system may not exceed $500, and $1,000 for commercial systems, regardless of project valuation
- Windsor is subject to Colorado's automated-permitting mandate for cities over 5,000 population (HB25-1096); confirm with SAFEbuilt/the Permit Technician whether an automated online solar plan-review pathway (e.g. SolarAPP+) is currently offered
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Electrical Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Town's Permit Technician; SAFEbuilt performs plan review and inspections
- RequiredColorado Electrical Board (DORA) LicenseCurrent state license documentation for the installing electrician, submitted to the Town
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide aggregate solar permit fee cap — Residential | $500 (combined Town + State Electrical Board fees) | C.R.S. § 24-48.5-113, enacted by HB21-1284 (2021), extended through Dec. 31, 2029; caps the total of all governmental permit/review fees for an active solar energy system — governs regardless of what the SAFEbuilt valuation-based fee would otherwise calculate |
| Statewide aggregate solar permit fee cap — Commercial | $1,000 (combined Town + State Electrical Board fees) | C.R.S. § 24-48.5-113, enacted by HB21-1284 (2021) |
| Building Permit Fee (SAFEbuilt valuation-based) | Equal to SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based fee — no dedicated solar/PV line item published locally; subject to the statewide cap above | Town of Windsor Fee Schedule (Updated 02.01.2026), Building Permit Fees section: 'Building Permit Fee — SAFEbuilt' with no dollar figure published locally |
| Windsor Administration Fee | 25% of the SAFEbuilt fee | Town of Windsor Fee Schedule (Updated 02.01.2026), Res 1992-18 |
| Use Tax | 3.65% of half the project's valuation | Town of Windsor Fee Schedule (Updated 02.01.2026), Ord 2002-1106 / Res 2014-51 |
EV Charger Installation Permit
VerifiedRequired for installation of an EV charging station (EVSE) within the Town of Windsor. Building permit review and inspection is contracted to SAFEbuilt, the same third party that administers all other Windsor building permits; the electrical portion is governed by the 2023 NEC. Unlike Westcliffe or other small Colorado towns, Windsor's population (2020 Census: 32,716) exceeds the 10,000-population municipal threshold in Colorado's HB24-1173 (Electric Vehicle Charging System Permits Act), meaning Windsor is a COVERED jurisdiction required to have adopted the state model EV-charger permitting code, its own objective published standards, or its existing process by December 31, 2025, with a 3-business-day decision-notification requirement. No dedicated EV-charger permit page, checklist, or HB24-1173 compliance statement was found published separately from the Town's general Building Permits page as of this review — this is flagged as an open item rather than assumed compliant or noncompliant. Re-verified 2026-07-20: the Town's Fee Schedule (Updated 02.01.2026, live and re-fetched directly) still shows Building Permit Fee = "SAFEbuilt" (no dollar figure published — set by SAFEbuilt's own external valuation-based schedule) plus the Town's 25% Administration Fee (Res 1992-18) and 3.65%-of-half-valuation Use Tax (Ord 2002-1106/Res 2014-51), confirmed current and unchanged from the prior review. No EV/electric vehicle/charging station line item exists anywhere in the current Fee Schedule PDF. The Colorado Energy Office's own HB24-1173 Local Government EV Charging Permitting page (checked directly) provides guidance and a model code but publishes no public jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction compliance tracker or list, so whether Windsor filed one of the three required compliance actions by the December 31, 2025 deadline (and the March 1, 2026 confirmation report) remains genuinely unconfirmable from any public source as of this review — this is a real information gap, not an unchased one.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Building permit required for the EV charger circuit and any associated panel/service work, reviewed and inspected by SAFEbuilt under contract to the Town of Windsor
- Electrical permit required for the charger wiring/interconnection, governed by the 2023 NEC (effective for applications submitted on or after January 1, 2024); no separate Town of Windsor contractor license required, but the electrician must hold a current Colorado Electrical Board (DORA) license
- A building permit is additionally required if the installation includes a new canopy, carport, or other structural mounting component, reviewed under the 2024 I-Codes (effective January 1, 2026)
- Because Windsor's population (32,716 per the 2020 Census) exceeds the 10,000-population threshold in Colorado's HB24-1173 (Electric Vehicle Charging System Permits Act), the Town is a covered jurisdiction required to have adopted, by December 31, 2025, either the state's EV-charger permitting model code, its own objective local standards and administrative review process (including an applicant checklist), or a confirmation that its existing process already meets the Act's requirements — including a 3-business-day decision-notification turnaround; no Town-published page specifically documenting which of these three paths Windsor chose was found during this review
- Permit expires if work does not begin within 180 days of issuance, or if work is halted for 180 days, per the Town's general permit-expiration rule
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Electrical Permit ApplicationSubmitted to the Town's Permit Technician; SAFEbuilt performs plan review and inspections
- RequiredColorado Electrical Board (DORA) LicenseCurrent state license documentation for the installing electrician, submitted to the Town
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (SAFEbuilt valuation-based) | Equal to SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based fee — no dedicated EV-charger line item published | Town of Windsor Fee Schedule (Updated 02.01.2026), Building Permit Fees section: 'Building Permit Fee — SAFEbuilt' with no dollar figure published locally; unlike solar, EV-charger permits are not subject to any Colorado statewide fee cap |
| Windsor Administration Fee | 25% of the SAFEbuilt fee | Town of Windsor Fee Schedule (Updated 02.01.2026), Res 1992-18 |
| Use Tax | 3.65% of half the project's valuation | Town of Windsor Fee Schedule (Updated 02.01.2026), Ord 2002-1106 / Res 2014-51 |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-06.
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Windsor building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.