The rates in effect at the time of application applies. Building permits are issued as a general permit. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing sub-contractor permits, and fees are required when associated with a general permit unless stated otherwise.
Building Permit Fee Section 4‑20‑4(c)(d)(e)
This fee is based on the value of the work covered by the permit. It shall be determined by either the City of Boulder Valuation Table (see pages 2-3) or the estimated value of the work covered by the permit provided by the applicant at time of application. The higher of the two valuations shall be used to calculate the building permit fees and the estimated pre-payment of construction use tax. The square foot construction costs in the City of Boulder Valuation Table are based on the August 2024 cost data as published by the International Code Council and will be updated on an annual basis. Construction materials are defined as materials that become an inseparable and integral part of a completed structure or project.
Fee is due at the time of permit issuance and is doubled on permits for work started or completed without an approved permit.
Valuation | Fees |
---|
$500.00 or less | $25.00 |
---|
$500.01 through $2,000.00 | $25.00 for the first $500.00 plus $3.25 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $2,000.00 |
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$2,000.01 through $25,000.00 | $74.00 for the first $2,000.00 plus $14.95 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $25,000.00 |
---|
$25,000.01 through $50,000.00 | $418.00 for the first $25,000.00 plus $10.75 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $50,000.00 |
---|
$50,000.01 through $100,000.00 | $686.00 for the first $50,000.00 plus $7.45 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $100,000.00 |
---|
$100,000.01 through $500,000.00 | $1,059.00 for the first $100,000.00 plus $5.95 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $500,000.00 |
---|
$500,000.01 through $1,000,000.00 | $3,447.00 for the first $500,000.00 plus $5.05 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $1,000,000.00 |
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$1,000,000.01 or more | $5,979.00 for the first $1,000,000.00 plus $3.85 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof |
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City of Boulder Valuation Table (per square foot)
Scope | Non-Residential | Residential |
---|
Addition | 100% | 100% |
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Alteration | 50% | 50% |
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Core and Shell | 75% | 75% |
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New | 100% | 100% |
---|
Repair | 50% | 50% |
---|
Tenant Finish | 50% | 50% |
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Basement Finish | N/A | 50% |
---|
Unfinished Basement | N/A | $31.50 per square foot |
---|
Group | Building Use | Type of Construction |
---|
Code | Type | I-A | I-B | II-A | II-B | III-A | III-B | IV | V-A | V-B |
---|
A-1 | Assembly | Theater | $306.63 | $294.75 | $285.24 | $272.92 | $253.47 | $245.34 | $262.66 | $234.35 | $224.35 |
---|
A-2 | Nightclub | $264.07 | $256.33 | $248.28 | $238.82 | $223.69 | $217.61 | $230.62 | $203.42 | $195.71 |
---|
Restaurant | $263.07 | $255.33 | $246.28 | $237.82 | $221.69 | $216.61 | $229.62 | $201.42 | $194.71 |
A-3 | Amusement/Recreational – Indoor | $261.35 | $249.47 | $238.96 | $227.64 | $207.19 | $200.06 | $217.38 | $188.07 | $179.07 |
---|
Library, Museum, Community Hall | $261.35 | $249.47 | $238.96 | $227.64 | $207.19 | $200.06 | $217.38 | $188.07 | $179.07 |
Religious | $311.21 | $299.32 | $289.82 | $277.50 | $258.18 | $250.05 | $267.24 | $239.06 | $229.06 |
A-4 | Arena | $305.63 | $293.75 | $283.24 | $271.92 | $251.47 | $244.34 | $261.66 | $232.35 | $223.35 |
---|
A-5 | Amusement/Recreational – Outdoor | $305.63 | $293.75 | $283.24 | $271.92 | $251.47 | $244.34 | $261.66 | $232.35 | $223.35 |
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B | Business | Financial Institution, Government Uses, Medical & Dental Clinics, Office (Administrative, Professional, Technical), Personal Service, Research & Development | $292.48 | $282.09 | $271.97 | $260.46 | $237.85 | $229.40 | $250.46 | $212.56 | $202.84 |
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E | Educational | Schools/Educational | $279.20 | $269.50 | $260.98 | $250.17 | $233.48 | $221.55 | $241.57 | $204.55 | $198.00 |
---|
F-1 | Factory & Industrial (moderate hazard) | Manufacturing-Moderate Hazard, Service Industrial Moderate Hazard | $162.52 | $154.68 | $144.93 | $139.48 | $124.19 | $118.17 | $132.99 | $102.98 | $95.90 |
---|
F-2 | Factory & Industrial (low hazard) | Manufacturing-Low Hazard, Service Industrial-Low Hazard, Public Works/Utilities, Telecommunications | $161.52 | $153.68 | $144.93 | $138.48 | $124.19 | $117.17 | $131.99 | $102.98 | $94.90 |
---|
H-1 | High Hazard | High Hazard (explosive) | $151.65 | $143.81 | $135.05 | $128.61 | $114.61 | $107.60 | $122.11 | $93.40 | N.P. |
---|
H-2 | High Hazard (highly flammable) | $151.65 | $143.81 | $135.05 | $128.61 | $114.61 | $107.60 | $122.11 | $93.40 | $85.33 |
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H-3 | High Hazard (flammable) | $151.65 | $143.81 | $135.05 | $128.61 | $114.61 | $107.60 | $122.11 | $93.40 | $85.33 |
---|
H-4 | High Hazard (corrosive and/or toxic) | $151.65 | $143.81 | $135.05 | $128.61 | $114.61 | $107.60 | $122.11 | $93.40 | $85.33 |
---|
H-5 | High Hazard (semiconductor type materials) | $292.48 | $282.09 | $271.97 | $260.46 | $237.85 | $229.40 | $250.46 | $212.56 | $202.84 |
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Group | Building Use | Type of Construction |
---|
| | I-A | I-B | II-A | II-B | III-A | III-B | IV | V-A | V-B |
I-1 | Institutional | Assisted Living | $264.93 | $255.57 | $246.84 | $238.11 | $217.64 | $211.63 | $238.15 | $195.82 | $189.67 |
I-2 | Hospital | $459.84 | $449.45 | $439.33 | $427.82 | $403.26 | $0.00 | $417.81 | $377.98 | N.P. |
I-3 | Nursing Home | $319.21 | $306.86 | $296.74 | $285.23 | $264.10 | $0.00 | $275.22 | $238.82 | N.P. |
Prison | $341.48 | $331.09 | $320.97 | $309.46 | $288.34 | $278.89 | $299.46 | $263.05 | $251.33 |
I-4 | Day Care | $264.93 | $255.57 | $246.84 | $238.11 | $217.64 | $211.63 | $238.15 | $195.82 | $189.67 |
M | Mercantile | Commercial/Retail, Wholesale | $197.08 | $189.34 | $177.79 | $171.82 | $156.33 | $151.25 | $163.63 | $136.06 | $129.35 |
R-1 | Residential | Boarding House | $267.42 | $258.06 | $249.33 | $240.60 | $220.62 | $214.60 | $240.64 | $198.79 | $192.64 |
R-2 | Motel/Hotel/Bed & Breakfast, Multifamily Dwellings | $223.61 | $214.25 | $205.52 | $196.79 | $177.77 | $171.76 | $196.82 | $155.95 | $149.80 |
R-3 | Accessory Dwelling Unit, Mobile Home, Modular Home, Single Family Attached Dwelling, Single Family Detached Dwelling, Studio, Townhomes | $211.77 | $205.84 | $200.99 | $197.13 | $190.36 | $183.32 | $193.75 | $177.67 | $167.37 |
R-4 | Residential Care | $264.93 | $255.57 | $246.84 | $238.11 | $217.64 | $211.63 | $238.15 | $195.82 | $189.67 |
S-1 | Storage (moderate hazard) | Service Station/Vehicular Repair, Warehousing- Moderate Hazard | $150.65 | $142.81 | $133.05 | $127.61 | $112.61 | $106.60 | $121.11 | $91.40 | $84.33 |
S-2 | Storage (low hazard) | Parking Garage, WarehousingLow Hazard | $149.65 | $141.81 | $133.05 | $126.61 | $112.61 | $105.60 | $120.11 | $91.40 | $83.33 |
U | Utility (misc.) | Carport-Attached, CarportDetached, Deck, Patio Cover, Porch | N.P. | N.P. | N.P. | N.P. | N.P. | N.P. | N.P. | $34.05 | $32.43 |
Garage-Attached, GarageDetached, Shed, Shop | N.P. | N.P. | N.P. | N.P. | N.P. | N.P. | N.P. | $68.09 | $64.85 |
Spa, Swimming Pool | $31.50 | $31.50 | $31.50 | $31.50 | $31.50 | $31.50 | $31.50 | $31.50 | $31.50 |
N.P. = not permitted
Energy Code Fee Section 4‑20‑4(f)8
This fee is for the review of new construction and additions to assure that the design complies with the International Energy Conservation Code. Fee is due at the time of permit issuance and is the rate in effect at the time of application.
Permit | Fee |
---|
Residential | $83.90 |
Commercial | $104.05 |
Plan Check Fee Section 4‑20‑4(f)7
This fee applies to building and sitework permits to assure that the design complies with all city codes. Fee is due at the time of application and is non‑refundable. The rate in effect at the time of application applies.
Initial Application
Permit | Rate |
---|
Single-family residential | 25% of building permit fee |
Multifamily residential | 65% of building permit fee |
Nonresidential | 65% of building permit fee |
Compatible Development
RL-2 on lots >8,000 square feet that are not within a planned development, planned residential development, planned unit development, or an approved site review; or shown on Appendix H of Title 9, Land Use Code.)Permit | Rate |
---|
Single-family residential (RR-1, RR-2, RE, RL-1, RMX-1) | 50% of building permit fee |
Detached single-family residential | 50% of building permit fee |
Electrical Permit Fee Section 4‑20‑8
Fee is due at the time of permit issuance and is doubled on permits for work started or completed without an approved permit.
Residential
Fee is based on the enclosed living area of new, remodels, and additions to one‑and two‑unit dwellings and townhomes.
Square Feet | Fee |
---|
Less than 500 sf | $36.70 |
---|
500 sf through 999 sf | $51.75 |
---|
1,000 sf through 1,499 sf | $69.60 |
---|
1,500 sf through 1,999 sf | $90.25 |
---|
2,000 sf or more | $90.25 plus $5.90 per 100 sf over 2,000 sf |
---|
Permit | Fee |
---|
Residential Service Change Only Fee | $36.70 |
Mobile Homes | $42.85 per space |
Nonresidential and Multifamily
Fee is based on the total cost of the electrical installation, including labor and electrical materials.
Total Cost | Fee |
---|
$300.00 or less | $42.85 |
---|
$300.01 through $3,000.00 | $50.90 |
---|
$3,000.01 or more | $19.60 per $1,000.00 of electrical valuation or fraction thereof |
---|
Photovoltaic System Permit Fee
Permit | Fee |
---|
Residential | $69.60 |
---|
Nonresidential and Multifamily | $139.20 |
---|
Permit | Fee |
---|
Temporary Construction Power Permit | $36.40, no tax |
Mechanical Permit Fee Section 4‑20‑13
Fee is based on the value of the mechanical materials and labor to building the structure and is due at time of permit issuance. This fee is doubled on permits for work started or completed without an approved permit.
Value of Materials and Labor | Fee |
---|
$100.00 or less | $13.60 |
---|
$100.01 through $400.00 | $16.75 |
---|
$400.01 through $800.00 | $19.90 |
---|
$800.01 and above | $19.90 for the first $800.00 plus $3.75 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof |
---|
Solar Thermal System
Permit | Fee |
---|
Residential | $69.60 |
Nonresidential and Multifamily | $139.20 |
Plumbing Code Fee Section 4‑20‑15(b)
Fee is due at the time of permit issuance. This fee is doubled on permits for work started or completed without an approved permit. Additional fees may apply. Refer to the Utility Fees section for additional information.
Residential
For new construction, the fee is based on the number of bathrooms and/or dwelling units. Please note that a roughed‑in bathroom constitutes a bathroom.
New Construction | Fee |
---|
One dwelling unit structures (1½ baths or less) | $68.85 |
---|
One dwelling unit structures (2 to 3½ baths) | $94.00 |
---|
One dwelling unit structures (4 or more baths) | $119.15 |
---|
Two dwelling unit structures | $111.75 |
---|
Three to fifteen dwelling unit structures | $42.25 per unit |
---|
Sixteen to thirty dwelling unit structures | $38.90 per unit |
---|
Structures containing more than 30 dwelling units | $34.20 per unit |
---|
Remodel and Addition | Fee |
---|
One dwelling unit | $34.20 |
---|
Two or more dwelling units | Based on plumbing valuation (see commercial) |
---|
Nonresidential
Fees shall be computed based on the total dollar value of the complete plumbing installation including materials, fixtures and all installation costs, as follows:
Commercial, Industrial and Miscellaneous | Fee |
---|
$100.00 or less | $13.60 |
---|
$100.01 through $400.00 | $16.75 |
---|
$400.01 through $800.00 | $19.90 |
---|
$800.01 or more | $19.90 for the first $800.00 plus $3.75 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof |
---|
Demolition Permit Fee Section 4‑20‑4(f)1
This fee is due at the time of permit issuance and is doubled on permits for work started or completed without an approved permit. Additional fees apply for buildings over fifty years old. Refer to the Historic Preservation Application Fees section.
Permit | Fee |
---|
Interior non-load bearing | $24.55, no tax |
All other | $173.70, no tax |
4-20-72. - Construction and Demolition Deposit Administrative Fee
An applicant for a building or demolition permit which requires a deposit under section 3601.2.3 of the City of Boulder Building code or section R328.2.3 of the City of Boulder Residential Code shall pay an administrative fee of $219.
Grading Plan Review and Permit Fees Section 4‑20‑4(f)14
Fee is based on the volume of cut and fill material associated with the project and is due at the time of permit issuance. The Grading Permit Fee is doubled on permits for work started or completed without an approved permit.
Grading Plan Review Fee
Volume of material | Fee |
---|
50 cubic yards or less | No fee |
51 through 100 cubic yards | $18.65 |
101 through 1,000 cubic yards | $28.00 |
1,001 through 10,000 cubic yards | $37.30 |
10,001 through 100,000 cubic yards | $37.30 for the first 10,000 cubic yards plus $18.65 for each additional 10,000 cubic yards or fraction thereof |
100,001 through 200,000 cubic yards | $205.60 for the first 100,000 cubic yards plus $11.15 for each additional 10,000 cubic yards or fraction thereof |
200,001 cubic yards or more | $317.45 for the first 200,000 cubic yards plus $5.55 for each additional 10,000 cubic yards or fraction thereof |
Additional plan review required by changes, additions, or revisions to the approved plans is $51.30 per hour with a minimum of one-half hour.
Grading Permit Fee
Volume of Materials | Fee |
---|
50 cubic yards and less | $18.65 |
51 through 100 cubic yards | $28.00 |
101 through 1,000 cubic yards | $28.00 for the first 100 cubic yards plus $12.60 for each additional 100 cubic yards or fraction thereof |
1,001 through 10,000 cubic yards | $145.70 for the first 1,000 cubic yards plus $11.15 for each additional 1,000 cubic yards or fraction thereof |
10,001 through 100,000 cubic yards | $246.50 for the first 10,000 cubic yards plus $50.25 for each additional 10,000 cubic yards or fraction thereof |
100,001 cubic yards and greater | $700.30 for the first 100,000 cubic yards plus $28.00 for each additional 100,000 cubic yards or fraction thereof |
Sign Permit Fee Section 4‑20‑21(b)
Fee is based on the type of sign and is due at the time of application. Sales tax is due on valuation of the sign at time of application. This fee is doubled on permits for work started or completed without an approved permit.
Type of Sign | Fee |
---|
Signs not requiring plan check or electrical review and inspection | $92.00 |
Signs not requiring plan check but including electrical review and inspection | $178.00 |
Signs requiring plan check but not including electrical review and inspection | $252.00 |
Signs requiring plan check and including electrical review and inspection | $344.00 |
Fence and Retaining Wall Permit Fee Section 4‑20‑4(f)2
- $4.05 for each $100.00 of valuation
Fee is based on the total cost of the fence installation, including labor and materials. This fee is paid at the time of permit issuance, and is doubled on permits for work started or completed without an approved permit.
Fire Systems Permit Fees Section 4‑20‑52(c)
For fire suppression, sprinkler systems, and hoods, the Mechanical Permit Fee schedule applies. For fire alarm detection systems, the Building Permit Fee schedule applies per the applicant’s valuation.
Gasoline Tank Installation Fee Section 4‑20‑4(f)12
This fee is paid at time of permit issuance.
House Moving Permit Fee Section 4‑20‑4(f)13
This fee is paid at the time of permit issuance.
Mobile Home Installation Permit Fee Section 4‑20‑14(b)
This fee applies to tie‑down, blocking, and other structural installations, and is paid at time of permit issuance.
Roofing Permit Fee
The Building Permit Fee schedule applies per the applicant’s valuation.
Siding Permit Fee
The Building Permit Fee schedule applies per the applicant’s valuation.
Sitework Plan Check and Permit Fees
The Building Permit Fee and Plan Check Fee schedules apply per the applicant’s valuation.
Temporary Event Permit Fee Section 4‑20‑4(f)3
This fee is due at the time of permit issuance. An Administrative Review Application must be submitted and approved prior to permit application.
Woodstove Permit Fee
The Building Permit Fee schedule applies per the applicant’s valuation.
Other Building Permit Fees
Change of Use Fee Section 4-20-4(f)5
This fee is for the change of use analysis and is due at the time of the request. This fee may be credited to the Building Permit Fee if the permit application and issuance occur within ninety days.
Reinstatement of Permit Fee Section 4-20-4(f)(9)
This fee is fifty percent of the Building Permit Fee. In addition, the Energy Code Fee may be charged if additional review is required.
Replacement of Lost Plans/New Red Lines Fee Section 4‑20‑4(f)(11)
Plans | Fee |
---|
Residential or Tenant Finish | $116.60 plus reproduction costs and sales tax |
New Commercial | $347.60 plus reproduction costs and sales tax |
Temporary Certificate of Occupancy Fee Section 4-20-4(f)10