Apply for a Building Permit

Permit Requirements and Fees

A permit is required when you construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or when you erect, install, enlarge, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, or when you construct, place, or modify a sign.

Building permits are required for the following projects:

• Fences over 42 inches tall
• Retaining walls over 24 inches from the bottom of the footing (engineering requirement)
• Lawn sprinklers
• Pools, hot tubs, and spas
• Roofing/reroofing
• Siding and stucco
• Room additions
• Attached and detached garages
• Accessory buildings larger than 200 square feet
• Evaporative coolers (swamp coolers)
• Air conditioning units
• Patio enclosures
• Gas lines
• Furnace installation or replacement
• Water heater installation or replacement
• Boiler installation or replacement
• Gas logs and gas lines
• Fireplaces (wood, pellet, or gas)
• Basement finishes
• Remodeling
• Plumbing modifications
• Structural modifications
• Electric to gas conversions
• Installation of additional windows or doors
• An increase or decrease in window or door size
• Decks over 30 inches above ground level
• Any deck with attached roofs
• Patio covers, awnings, and carports
• Storage sheds larger than 200 square feet

Adams County building permits not required for the following projects:

• Decks not more than 30 inches above ground level
• Storage sheds 200 square feet or less
• Gazebos 200 square feet or less
• General landscaping
• Concrete porches (without roofs)
• Painting
• Fences less than 42 inches tall
• Minor roofing repair (1 square or less)
• Minor fence picket repair
• Retaining walls 24 inches or less from the bottom of the footing
• Flooring wallpaper
• Replacing plumbing fixtures
• Replacing cabinets and countertops
• Replacing windows and doors (same size)
• Adding insulation

If you do not see your specific project listed above, please contact the Building Section at 720.523.6825 for more information regarding your project. Informational handouts are available in the Building Section Office.

Building permit fees are based on the valuation of the project. The valuation is the total cost of the materials and labor. Some projects are calculated using a cost/square foot equation.

If you need to request the cancellation of a building permit and a refund of fees, please use the form below.

Cancellation & Refund Request Form

Contractors

All contractors doing work in unincorporated Adams County are required to be registered as a contractor before pulling a permit.

General Contractors: Adams County offers four classifications of general contractor licenses:

• Class A: Erect, add to, alter, or repair any building or structure, in all occupancy groups.
• Class B: Erect, add to, alter, or repair any building or structure not over two (2) stories in
• height, in group B, M, and R occupancies.
• Class C: Erect, add to, alter, or repair any building or structure of a non-structural nature, in group M and R occupancies.
• Class D: Any specialty contractor, including but not limited to, plumbing, electrical, siding, fences, glass, and glazing, insulation, and heating.

Contractors must provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance to the county prior to permitting. Contractors disturbing the infrastructure within the county right-of-way must also provide to the county a Bond Certificate.

Watch Video: What You Need A Permit For