Building Permit Types

Notice: Change in Procedures for Walk-in Customers Beginning Monday, Dec. 2

Beginning Monday, Dec. 2, customers submitting building permit applications and resubmittals in-person will be required to be signed in to see a project specialist by 3 p.m. Customers who are not signed in by that time will be asked to return the following day. This is a pilot program that will run through January 2020, at which time staff will evaluate the impacts of this change.

Single trade permits applications may be submitted online. Please visit the Customer Self-Service Portal to create an account.

Applications and Forms Database

Scroll down to see what documents you must submit for each type of building permit, then search for the documents below.

Types of Building Permits

A list of permit types and the forms you need to submit for review is provided below. This is not a comprehensive list of everything you may need to submit for review. Submission requirements vary depending on the scope of the project. All or some of the following documentation may be required for your project.

Building Permits – Commercial/Multi-Family

Required for all commercial development, including new building, additions and remodels of existing space.

Multi-Family and Non-Residential Building Permit Application
Multi-Family and Non-Residential Building Permit Checklist

You may also need:

Stormwater and Flood Management Fee and Plant Investment Fee (PIF) Calculation Form (for properties that increase the amount of impervious area on the property)
Plumbing Fixture Count Form
Commercial and Multi-Family Building Permit Checklist
Industrial / Commercial Environmental Information
Housing & Development Excise Tax form
Energy Code Compliance (visit energy code web page for more information)
Development Excise Tax form
Site plan
Solar analysis
Floor plans
Copies of rated assemblies
Roof plans
Elevations
Structural drawings
Foundation plans / Section
Allocations
Copies of any approved Tec Doc drawings (grading and drainage plans; easement dedications, etc.).

Building Permits – Residential

Required for all residential development, except permit resubmittals.

Residential Building Permit Application with Checklist

You may also need:

Site plan
Solar analysis
Floor plans
Elevations
Structural drawings
Foundation plans
Sections
Plumbing Fixture Count Form
Energy Code Compliance (visit energy code web page for more information)
If you’re in the LR-E zone, a LR-E FAR sheet
Allocation for new residential or demolition/rebuild of residential
Stormwater and Flood Management Fee and Plant Investment Fee (PIF) Calculation Form (for properties that increase the amount of impervious area on the property)

Inclusionary Zoning Review
All residential development, regardless of size, is subject to inclusionary zoning, which requires that 20 percent of the total number of housing units be made permanently affordable to low income households. Inclusionary zoning is administered by the City of Boulder Housing Division, Housing and Human Services Department.

Building Permits Resubmittal

Required for resubmittal of a permit application that has been submitted previously but was denied.

Building Permit Resubmittal Form
A written statement specifically explaining changes/corrections made and detailing how you've addressed the problems listed in the deficiency letter you received from City of Boulder Planning and Development Services
Two sets of any revised drawings with changes "clouded" (clouds drawn around changed areas)
New copies of any submittal documents that were deficient

Demolition Permits

Required for demolition of buildings or parts of buildings.

Demolition Permit Application
Historic Preservation Demolition Review Application (for non-designated buildings over 50 years old)
Sustainable Deconstruction Plan (for projects involving removal of more than 50% of exterior walls)

There are four different types of demolition permits. They all use the same application form; however, the additional materials you submit will vary depending on the type of demolition you are doing. See the application form and/or a project specialist in the P&DS Center for more information.

Revocable Permits and Right-of-Way Lease

Required for construction or maintenance of any building, structure, fence, barrier, post, landscaping or other encroachment within, under, above, or upon any public right-of-way or public easement. This is also required for patios, awnings and signs in the downtown pedestrian area.

Revocable Permits & Right-of-Way Lease Application (includes other requirements information)

Electrical Permits

Required for all electrical work.

Electrical Permit Application
OR
One-line diagrams and load calculations if service size is 400 amps or more

Elevator Permits

The City of Boulder Planning and Development Services does not provide inspections or licensing for elevators.

Fence or Retaining Wall Permits

Required for all fence/retaining wall work.

Fence or Retaining Wall Permit Application
A scaled site plan clearly showing streets and alleys, property lines, location of fences (existing and proposed), driveways (on this and adjacent properties), sidewalks, water meter pit and north arrow.

Floodplain Development Permits

Required for all work in a designated floodplain. Learn how to find out if your property is in a floodplain.

Floodplain Development Permit Application
Floodplain Maps - To generate a floodplain map of your property, go to the eMapLink (Interactive Maps) application.
Floodplain Information Request

Fire Systems Permits

Required for all fire system work.