As a homeowner you would like to finish your basement, add or replace a deck, add an extension, replace the old inefficient water heater, install air conditioning, etc. The process might seem complicated or confusing, but we are here to make it as easy as possible for you.
Our Start a Project is a great place to begin.
The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department is responsible for the issuing and management of building permits for all areas under our jurisdiction. These areas include unincorporated El Paso County; the cities of Colorado Springs, Fountain and Manitou Springs; the towns of Green Mountain Falls, Monument and Palmer Lake; and in Teller County, the City of Woodland Park. We do not service the townships of Ramah or Calhan, nor any other areas of Teller County.
Many permit requests and issuing can be accomplished online by visiting our Project page and following the simple instructions provided.
Your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with the codes adopted by the community, the value of your investment could be reduced or can create a hazard for yourself or your family. Also, property insurers may not cover the work done without permits and\or inspections.
Construction, installation and replacement of, but not limited to, the following:
If you are in doubt or have any questions, please Contact Us prior to starting any project to verify the need for a permit. Discussing your plans with a code official before you begin your project can save time and money as you move forward.
As a general rule, cosmetic improvements do not require a permit. Examples can include a house interior and exterior painting, replacing kitchen cabinets and most appliances, installation of carpeting or other floor materials, concrete flat work, fences less than 7 feet in height (6 ft. or greater in Colorado Springs requires zoning approval), detached accessory structures less than 200 square feet (125 sq. ft. or greater in Colorado Springs requires zoning approval) and minor plumbing and heating repairs. Depending on where you live, some of these items may still require a review and\or permit from the zoning and floodplain authorities.
If you are in doubt or have any questions, please Contact Us prior to starting any project to verify the need for a permit.
Yes. As a homeowner you may obtain a permit only if you are performing the work on your primary residence, which you own and reside in. You cannot perform work on a rental property you own nor a home you do not reside in. If you obtain a permit and are completing the work yourself you are expected to know the pertinent codes and are responsible for the work passing all required inspections. It is illegal for a homeowner to obtain a permit for a contractor hired to do the work for you.
If you are looking for a licensed contractor, you can Search our Directory.
As a homeowner, who hires a contractor for work that requires a permit, know that the contractor must be licensed and registered with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. To find out if the contractor you are looking to hire is indeed licensed and registered with the PPRBD, you can Search our Directory. A contractor cannot obtain a permit unless the contractor's license is in good standing.
If the work requires a permit and is reported to the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, or observed by an inspector in the area, as non-permitted work, a STOP WORK ORDER will be issued and will remain in effect until the proper permit is obtained.
If a permit is not obtained for the work, a Certificate of Alleged Non-compliance will be issued against the property and filed with the El Paso or Teller County Clerk and Recorder placing a lien against the property. Work completed without a permit may be caught by a home inspector prior to a real estate closing. This can impede or cancel the sale, and the current record owner will be financially responsible for paying any additional fees required to obtain the proper permits and complete the required inspections to verify code compliance. If the work is determined to not be in compliance with code requirements, it is the responsibility of the record owner to address and remedy the identified issues.
Inspection results are available on the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department websites on the Permit Status Page. Inspection results can be searched either by permit number or address. Inspection results are typically entered the same day the inspection is performed.
When an entity requests a homeowner’s permit for a one- or two-family dwelling and any structures accessory thereto, in addition to the requirements of RBC §201.3, the homeowner needs to make certain it provides enough information and documentation from the entity’s authorized agent to PPRBD to document that:
Types of entities: corporation, nonprofit corporation, limited liability company, general partnership, limited partnership, registered limited liability partnership, registered limited liability limited partnership, limited partnership association, government or governmental subdivision or agency, trust (Section 38-30-108.5, C.R.S.), and others.
With regard to the following type of entities, the following documentation may be submitted:
Trust(s):
Registered Partnerships:
All Other Entities: