P&DS Services
Planning and Development Services offers online applications and processes for all services.
The purpose of licenses and permits is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
Our office issues licenses to individuals and companies who perform work within Boulder that requires a building permit or right-of-way permit. Boulder does not accept reciprocal licenses from other jurisdictions. ICC certifications, State of Colorado Electrical or Plumbing certification, or ISA Arborist certification must be submitted with your contractor license application for your license to be issued.
Every contractor granted a license is required to maintain a certificate of insurance showing the following information:
Renewals are processed through the Customer Self-Service Portal
Contractor License fees are available in the Contractor License application, the Contractor License Guide as well as the Planning & Development Services Schedule of Fees PDF, available at the Applications and Forms Database.
Fees are updated annually in the Boulder Revised Code in Sections 4-20-4, 4-20-13, 4-20-15, 4-20-21, and 4-20-56.
Contractor means any person who undertakes with or for another person within the city to build, construct, alter, repair, add to, move or demolish any building or structure, or any portion thereof. Contractor also includes any person licensed by the city manager to inspect residential buildings, per the Boulder Revised Code (BRC)10-3.
General Building Contractor includes any person, company or agency holding a current A, B or C building contractor license with the City of Boulder and does not include the following:
Other than a homeowner performing work on their own home, no person shall perform any work as a contractor in the city without first obtaining a city contractor’s license to perform such work
Permits will not be issued for work to be done by a person who does not have a valid, current license as required by the city for the type of work to be performed, except a homeowner performing work on their own home
No person other than a Class A or Class B licensed contractor shall perform work requiring the supervision of an architect or structural engineer
To obtain a new contractor license or renew a license, the contractor must:
Provide a current copy of a Certificate of Insurance as required by BRC 4-1-8 (except Class F, G and D-9)
Pay the annual licensing fees as required by BRC 4-20-4
Class A: entitles the licensee to contract for the construction, alteration, wrecking, or repair of any type or size of building or structure permitted in the City of Boulder.
Class B: entitles the licensee to contract for the construction, alteration, wrecking, or repair of all commercial and residential buildings or structures in the City of Boulder having the following construction types: Type V, Type IV, Type III-B and Type II-B.
Class C: entitles the licensee to contract for:
Homeowner Contractor
A homeowner who builds, constructs, alters, repairs, adds to, moves, or wrecks, any building or structure or any portion thereof, that constitutes the owner’s residence and is intended for the homeowner’s personal use. This exception is available to a homeowner who personally performs work on his or her own residence. Other work must be performed by a licensed general contractor. (B.R.C. 4-4-2) A Homeowner Contractor License application is required.
Class D: entitles the licensee to contract for labor or for labor and materials involving one or more of the following trades:
Class E: entitles the licensee to contract for the building or construction of:
Class F: entitles the licensee to construct, alter, or repair the licensee’s own building or structure, if the total value of the labor and material for each such project does not exceed $500.00 and if the project does not involve alteration of a load-bearing element or work governed by the city’s electrical, mechanical, or plumbing codes
Class G: entitles the licensee to inspect rental properties within the City of Boulder for energy efficiency prescriptive requirements as detailed in the Boulder Property Maintenance Code, B.R.C. 1981, 10-2, Appendix C. These requirements are part of the SmartRegs project adopted by City Council in the fall of 2010
New License applicants: Any person, agency or company wishing to become a City of Boulder licensed A, B or C general contractor must provide a professional criterion that demonstrates competency in, or knowledge of, the International Building Codes. Proof of professional criteria includes:
New Class A or Class B license applicants shall also provide information indicating their level of education or level of training or years of experience in the construction of non-residential buildings. Where the education or training or experience is not applicable to the A or B type work, the City Manager reserves the right to refuse the license to a particular applicant
License applicants: Any person, agency or company wishing to become a City of Boulder licensed Class D, E, F or G contractor need only submit a completed application along with the certificate of insurance and the applicable fees with the following exceptions:
The city manager may suspend or revoke a license issued under this chapter for the grounds and under the procedures prescribed by section 4-1-10, "Revocation of Licenses," B.R.C. 1981. Grounds for suspension or revocation include, without limitation, failure to maintain required insurance.
Any person may work as an apprentice but shall not do any electrical wiring for the installation of electrical apparatus or equipment for light, heat, or power except under the supervision of a licensed electrician. The degree of supervision required shall be no more than one licensed electrician to supervise no more than three apprentices at the job site.
Fire Contractor means a person that undertakes or performs, with or for another, any fire installation, alteration, repair or other work in the city for which a permit issued under the city fire code from the city is required under this code.
But this term does not include subcontractors working for and under the supervision of a fire contractor licensed under this chapter or a homeowner performing work upon the owner’s residence, or a building or structure accessory thereto, which is intended for the owner’s personal use.
*NOTE: All installers of fire alarm systems shall be licensed as low-voltage wire installers by the State of Colorado. All line voltage work, when necessary on a fire alarm system, shall be completed by a State of Colorado licensed electrician.
Companies or individuals wanting to become fire contractors within the City of Boulder must submit proof of qualifications in their field of work.
All Class A fire sprinkler licenses must show proof of registration with the State of Colorado as a Fire Suppression System Contractor and the sprinkler fitter(s) working in the City of Boulder must be registered as a Sprinkler Fitter with the State of Colorado. Proof of registration is required.
Companies or individuals wanting to become licensed as a Class C Fire Alarm Contractor or Class D Special Suppression System Installer must show proof of qualifications in the form of certification from a nationally recognized organization. The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) is an example of a commonly accepted certification with a Level II or higher. Proof of manufacture training of specific brands or models may be acceptable as well. Other certifications by other entities that show a level of technical competence in the area of the work will also be considered acceptable qualifications.
Submit certifications and proof of identification to firecontractors@bouldercolorado.gov
If your business name has changed since your last renewal, a request to change the name on the license must be submitted in writing. This request should be on letterhead with the current name of the company and be accompanied by a current certificate of insurance. If you start a new business, all new license requirements must be met.
Mechanical Contractor means a person that undertakes or performs, with or for another, any mechanical installation, alteration, repair or other work in the city for which a mechanical permit from the city is required under this code. Mechanical contractor does not include subcontractors working for and under the supervision of a mechanical contractor licensed by the city or a homeowner performing work upon the owner's residence, or a building or structure accessory thereto, which is intended for the owner's personal use.
Class B: entitles the licensee to undertake or perform work covered by the mechanical code and fuel gas codes for commercial and dwelling units except for work associated with commercial kitchen hoods and ventilation systems, and installations or repairs in an “H” or “I” occupancy as defined in the city building code
New License applicants: Any person, agency, or company wishing to become a City of Boulder licensed mechanical contractor must provide a professional criterion that demonstrates competency in, or knowledge of, the International Mechanical Codes. Proof of professional criteria includes:
Complete a City of Boulder Contractor License Application.
Plumbing Contractor means any person that undertakes or performs, with or for another, any plumbing installation, alteration, repair, or other work in the city for which a plumbing permit is required from the city or fuel gas piping as described in the fuel gas code.
Plumbing contractor does not include subcontractors working for and under the supervision of a plumbing contractor licensed under this chapter or a homeowner performing work upon the owner’s residence or a building or structure accessory thereto intended for the owner’s personal use.
A plumbing contractor licensed by the city is responsible for all work performed under the contract, whether the contractor, an employee, or a subcontractor performs the work.
No developer, contractor, or subcontractor shall perform any work affecting public property, rights-of-way, grounds, any city-owned utility system, or any other utility system or in the street right-of-way or utility easement, whether or not the work is performed for the city, without first obtaining a right-of-way contractor license from the city before commencing any such work.
The applicant shall provide a bond:
For exam dates and locations, select the "International Society of Arboriculture" link. For a written arborist licensing exam, contact the City of Boulder Urban Forestry Division at 303-441-4406.