Denver, CO Building Permits Guide
Denver, CO building permit timeline: Plan review takes 2 to 61 days depending on project type. Contact the building department for current processing times.
Building permit review in Denver, CO typically takes between 2 and 61 days depending on project type and complexity. Here is what you need to know about permit timelines, costs, and the review process in Denver.
Denver Plan Review Timeline
Review from available sources for Denver, CO:
- Plan Intake: 2 days on average
- Submittal to Approval: 61 days. This includes time to intake, time in City possession conducting plan reviews, and time in customer possession for submitting payment or preparing required resubmittals to various departments.
The City of Denver publishes up to date averages on their site, which drill into specific disciplines. View it here.
Last verified: August 2025 | Source: Denver Building Department
Need it faster? Permit Place can expedite your Denver permits
What Building Permits Do You Need in Denver?
Denver requires permits for most construction activity. The type of permit depends on your project scope.
Commercial Permits
- New commercial construction: full plan review with the longest timeline
- Tenant improvements and interior buildouts: plan review for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical changes
- Change of use: required when converting building use (for example, retail to restaurant)
- Shell and core: separate from tenant improvement permits
Residential Permits
- New home construction: full plan review including structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
- Additions and remodels: required when modifying structure or adding square footage
- Decks, pools, fences: separate permits with typically faster review
Trade Permits
Individual trade permits are typically required for electrical, plumbing, mechanical (HVAC), and fire sprinkler work.
How the Denver Permit Review Process Works
Step 1: Application Submission
Submit your permit application through the Denver building department. Applications are reviewed for completeness before being assigned to a plan reviewer.
Step 2: Plan Review
The city reviews your submitted plans for building code compliance, structural integrity, fire safety, energy code, and ADA accessibility. Commercial projects are reviewed by multiple departments at the same time.
Step 3: Corrections and Resubmittal
If the city issues correction comments, you will need to revise your plans and resubmit. Each correction cycle adds another review period. Most commercial projects go through 2 to 3 correction cycles.
Step 4: Permit Issuance
Once all review departments approve your plans, the building permit is issued. Schedule inspections as work progresses.
Note: These timelines reflect general review periods. Large or complex projects may take longer. Request a quote from Permit Place for a project-specific estimate, or get an instant due diligence report from PermitNow.io.
Denver Building Permit Costs
Permit fees in Denver vary based on project type and valuation.
Commercial
- Tenant improvements: $500 to $5,000+
- New commercial construction: $2,000 to $25,000+ (based on valuation)
- Plan review fee: typically 50-65% of the building permit fee
Residential
- Small projects (decks, pools, fences): $50 to $300
- Home additions and remodels: $200 to $2,000+
- New home construction: $1,000 to $10,000+ (based on valuation)
For a detailed permit cost breakdown specific to your project, get a free due diligence report from PermitNow.io.
Trade Permits
- Electrical: $50 to $500
- Plumbing: $50 to $500
- Mechanical: $50 to $500
Fee ranges are estimates. Actual fees depend on project valuation and scope. Contact the Denver building department or Permit Place for exact costs.
Denver Building Department
Denver Building Department
Frequently Asked Questions About Denver Building Permits
How much is a building permit in Denver?
Denver building permit fees are based on project valuation using a sliding scale. Commercial tenant improvement permits typically cost $2,000-$8,000 in city fees, with plan review fees at 65% of the permit fee. For a typical 3,000 square foot retail build-out valued at $200,000-$400,000, expect total permit fees of $3,000-$6,000. Additional fees may apply for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire protection sub-permits. Denver also charges a Use Tax of 4.81% on building materials.
What requires a building permit in Colorado?
In Colorado, building permits are required for new construction, additions, structural alterations, electrical installations, plumbing work, mechanical system installations, re-roofing, window replacements in commercial buildings, and changes of building occupancy. Denver follows the 2021 Denver Building Code (based on 2021 IBC with local amendments). Projects in historic districts require additional Historic Preservation review. Cosmetic work like painting, carpet replacement, and furniture installation does not require permits.
What happens if I finish my basement without a permit in Colorado?
Finishing a basement without a permit in Denver can result in stop work orders, fines of $150-$999 per violation, required demolition and reconstruction to current code, and problems selling the property. Denver requires building permits for basement finishes that include framing, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work. Unpermitted basement work is one of the most common issues flagged during home inspections and can delay or kill real estate transactions.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Denver?
Denver commercial building permit review typically takes 20-45 business days for initial plan review through the Community Planning and Development (CPD) department. Simple tenant improvements may receive comments in 15-20 business days. Denver offers an Expedited Plan Review program for qualifying commercial projects that can reduce initial review to 10-15 business days for an additional fee. PermitPlace has managed permits for J. Crew, Vuori, Chipotle, and Good Vets across the Denver metro area.
Are building permits public record in Colorado?
Yes, building permits in Denver are public records. You can search permit records through Denver’s online ePermit system at denvergov.org. The system allows searches by address, permit number, or contractor name. Permit records include application dates, review status, inspection history, and contractor information. For properties outside the City and County of Denver, check with the specific county or municipality (e.g., Arapahoe, Jefferson, Adams counties).
Can I expedite a building permit in Denver?
Yes. Denver’s CPD offers Expedited Plan Review for qualifying commercial projects, reducing initial review to 10-15 business days for an additional fee. PermitPlace has managed 9+ commercial permits in Denver across retail, restaurant, and veterinary build-outs for brands like J. Crew (Cherry Creek), Vuori, Good Vets, and Chipotle. We handle application preparation, coordinate with Denver plan reviewers, and manage comment responses to minimize your total permit timeline.
Need Help with Denver Building Permits?
PermitPlace has managed 9+ commercial permits across Denver including retail build-outs for J. Crew, Vuori (Cherry Creek), and Good Vets, as well as restaurant permits for Yum! Brands (Habit Burger) and due diligence for Chipotle and Farmers Insurance. Our Denver project portfolio exceeds $43,000 in permit management fees across retail, restaurant, veterinary, and office build-outs.
How Much Could a Permit Delay Cost You in Denver?
Every week of permit delay costs a typical retail location $15,000 in lost revenue. PermitPlace averages 29-day timelines across 128 recent projects. See what faster permitting could save you.
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