City of Boulder applications, forms, and guides for building, construction, and zoning.
Planning and Development Resources
Customer Self-Service (CSS) Portal
Go to our land management, permitting and licensing customer self-service portal.
Planning and Development Services Fees and Taxes
Building Permit Guides
Expand each category for calculators, guides, and guidelines for building and energy code requirements.
- Permit Application Process Guide
- Residential Building Permit Criteria Guide
- Residential Accessory Structure Criteria Guide
- Residential Additions and Alterations Criteria Guide
- Residential Alterations Criteria Guide
- Residential New Construction Criteria Guide
- Residential Deck Requirements Criteria Guide
- Residential Pool and Spa Criteria Guide
- Residential Repairs Guide
- Fence and Retaining Wall Permit Guide
- Permit Application Process Guide
- Detailed Multi-family, Commercial, Non-Residential or Mixed-Use Guide
- Multi-Family and Non-Residential Accessory Structure Guide
- Multi-family, Commercial, or Mixed-Use Addition and Remodel/Alteration Guide
- Multi-family, Commercial, or Mixed-Use Remodel/Alteration Guide
- Multi-family, Commercial, or Mixed-Use New or Core and Shell Construction Guide
- Multi-family, Commercial, or Mixed-Use Repairs Guide
- Multi-family, Commercial, or Mixed-Use Tenant Finish Guide
- Multi-family, Commercial, or Mixed-Use Pool or Spa Guide
- Fence and Retaining Wall Permit Guide
In order to ensure that rights-of-way continue to serve their intended purposes, the city regulates most work in these areas through contractor licensing and construction permitting. Visit the Right-of-Way Permits webpage for more information.
The city regulates waste reuse and recycling for all full structure deconstruction and new construction projects.
Applicable permits need approved plans and reports to back up their work. Deconstruction means carefully taking apart a building (instead of knocking it down through demolition) so materials can be reused or recycled.
The Colorado Chapter of the International Code Council (CCICC) has many Building Guides which can be used to assist in construction projects.
The City of Boulder Energy Conservation Code (CoBECC) sets minimum energy performance standards for newly constructed and renovated buildings. Visit Boulder Energy Code for more information.
- 2024 City of Boulder Energy Conservation Code
- CoBECC Worksheets, Guides and Resources
- 2024 CoBECC FAQ's
Energy use by swimming pools, spas, and other exterior equipment requiring a building permit such as snow and ice melt systems, and similar outdoor features, must be offset by on-site renewable energy generation equivalent to the energy used.
Use this guide to help you establish the maximum percentage of lot surface that may be covered by principal and accessory buildings.
The purpose of a floor area ratio standard is to address the proportionality of building size to lot size and allow variation in building form within the established building envelope.
For projects ranging from small accessory structures and additions to new construction, it is important to understand the value of accurate survey information.
General roofing information, requirements, and guidelines for residential & commercial structures.
Use this guide to meet visual and aesthetic design requirements for Small Cell infrastructure in the public Right-of-Way (ROW).
Building Permit Supplemental Forms
Expand each category for supplemental forms for building and energy code requirements.
Erosion Control Permit: Required for construction projects that disturb one acre or more of land, are part of a larger common plan of development exceeding one acre or are reasonably expected to exceed one acre based on city review.
Grading Permit: Required for projects with greater than 50 cubic yards of cut/fill.
The City of Boulder regulates development based upon FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps of the 1% Annual Chance Storm (aka the 100-year floodplain).
- the Lot Area Declaration Form must be completed by a licensed surveyor, architect or engineer
- upload this form to your application in the Customer Self Service (CSS) portal
- Oversize Moving Permit Form
- apply through the Customer Self Service (CSS) portal
The written consent of the property owner(s) subject to the development request must be provided. The owner(s) of the property must sign this form or the permit application will not be accepted. An owner’s representative signature is not permissible.
- Temporary Event Application Form
- apply online through the Customer Self Service (CSS) portal
Administrative Review application for events with temporary sales or outdoor entertainment.
The city has adopted regulations for development within streams, wetlands, and water bodies to help preserve and protect these natural resources. Visit the The city has adopted regulations for development within streams, wetlands, and water bodies to help preserve and protect these natural resources. Visit the Wetland Permits webpage for more information.
- Wetland Permit Application Form
- apply online through the Customer Self Service (CSS) portal
Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA)
Zoning adjustment appeals from developers, architects and builders whose building permit applications have been denied. BOZA may modify the application of specific zoning requirements and hear appeals to decisions made by the zoning administrator.
Historic Preservation
Applications and forms for landmarks and historical alterations and demolitions.
Application for demolition of a non-designated building over 50 years old.
Frequently asked questions for demolition of a non-designated building over 50 years old.
Application for designation of an individual Landmark.
Landmark Alteration Certificate (LAC) application for changes to properties that are individually landmarked or located in a historic district.
Inspections
Inspection FAQ's and resources.
Frequently Asked Questions for Architecture Inspections.
Special inspection requirements for residential construction in Steep-Slope areas.