All water heaters need to be permitted, this includes new and replacements. Homeowners please read this addendum provided by the State of Colorado, Department of Regulatory Agencies regarding Homeowner Residential Plumbing Work. 

Most new construction projects, alterations, additions, or repairs of existing buildings require building permits and inspections to verify compliance with building codes and zoning regulations. Alterations, garage conversions, changes of use, structural repairs, drywall, and fire or flood repairs require permits.

Permits are also required for:

• Furnaces 
• A/Cs
• Water Heaters
• Heat-Pumps
• Boilers
• Windows and Doors
• Decks
• Cell Towers/Antennas
• Gas Lines
• Hot Tubs
• Electric Vehicle Chargers
• Ramps
• Patio Covers
• Retaining Walls
• Sheds
• Sewer Line Repairs
• Siding
• Solar Panels
• Pools
• Mobile Home Set Up

Please use this list to determine what documents are required in order to process your permit application. 

All projects below require:

• the General Permit Application and 
• the Homeowner Statement (if the homeowner is performing any part of the project).

Addition

• Basement Finish / Home Remodel Questionnaire
• Plans
• Site Plan
• Engineer Stamped Report

Basement Finish/Remodel

• Basement Finish / Home Remodel Questionnaire
• Plans
• Engineer Stamped Report for interior structural remodel

Cell Tower/Antenna

• Plans
• Site Plan
• Engineer Stamped Report

Deck

• Deck Handout
• Plans
• Site Plan
• Engineer Stamped Report for steel or metal decks

Demolition 

• Plans
• Site Plan
• Approved State Permit

Garage

• Garage Handout
• Plans
• Site Plan
• Engineer Stamped Report (if the garage is attached to the primary structure or if it is larger than 600 square feet)

Gas Line (fire pit)

• Plans
• Gas line drawing showing line from meter to fire pit or grill

HVAC

• For A/C replacements, part of the project valuation is needed in the electrical valuation field as well as the licensed electrical contractor's name

Hot Tub / Shed / Ramp / Trailer Set-Up

• Plans
• Site Plan

Patio Cover

• Patio Cover Handout
• Plans
• Site Plan

Retaining Wall (more than 3 feet)

• Plans
• Site Plan
• Engineer Stamped Report

Re-roof

• Roof Slope Report

Sewer/Water Line Repair 

• Site Plan

Siding Replacement

• Number of squares required
• Stating if electrical work is needed
• Current evaluation report for the new siding

Solar PV System 

• Plans
• Site Plan
• Engineer Stamped Report

Structural Repair 

• Plans
• Engineer Stamped Report

Swimming Pool and Spa

• Plans
• Site Plan
• Engineer Stamped Report

Water Heater

• Gas Pipe Plan needed if a tanked water heater is being replaced by a tankless one

Windows and Doors

• Window, Door & Skylight Installation / Replacement Handout

Also review:

• New Single Family Submittal Requirements
• Tenant Finish Permit Submittal Requirements
• New Commercial Building Submittal Requirements
  
  

For typical residential projects, the site plan should show where the proposed construction will be located on the property, including lot dimensions and all existing structures and the floor plan should show the use of the spaces, any framing proposed, and dimensions.

For commercial projects, one digital set of plans shall be submitted. 

All permit application documents should be emailed to buildingpermits@broomfield.org.

Over the Counter

A Building Plans Analyst is available Tuesdays from 9am to 12pm and Thursdays from 1pm to 4pm for homeowners who need assistance with building permits.  Some permits for homeowners may be available for same-day review and issuance.

Via Email

Please submit permit applications and plans to buildingpermits@broomfield.org for processing 

Current Plan Review times

• Residential window, door, A/C and furnace replacements (like-for-like only) - 1 to 3 business days 
• Re-Roofs - one  week
• Water Heaters, Furnaces & A/C replacements - 1-2 weeks
• Solar PV Systems - 1 - 2  weeks
• Basement Finish  - 1 to 2 weeks
• Windows with Modifications - 1 to 2 weeks
• Exterior Residential - decks, covered patios, pergolas, gazebo, etc. - 2 - 3 weeks
• Residential Additions and Remodels - 4 - 5 weeks for first comments
• Signs - 3 - 4 weeks
• Tenant Finish - 5 - 6 weeks for first comments
• New House - 7 - 8 weeks for first comments  
• New Commercial Building –  6 - 7 weeks for first comments

• Estimated times above are goals, but are not guaranteed.

Permit fees are based on the total value or cost of the project. The applicant provides this information on the permit forms at the time of the application submission. Use tax is also charged on the value of the materials, assumed to be one-half of the total cost. 

Please review our Fees Page for more information.

Email your questions to buildingpermits@broomfield.org and one of our Plan Analysts will reach out to you

or

Call 303-438-6370 (option 5) and ask to talk to a Plans Analyst.

 They can answer a variety of questions on most phases of any project or they will research your question and reach out to you.

Our inspectors receive their assignments in the morning and determine the most efficient route for the day prior to leaving the office around 8:30 a.m. Your inspection could be any time between 8.30am and 4pm. 

If you need a more exact time frame that day, you may check the Daily Inspection List, look for your address, and you can see the order of inspections for each inspector. The list is a live document that gets updated as the day goes by and all completed inspections disappear. 

Alternatively, you may call  303-438-6370, option 5 between 8.00 - 8:30 a.m to get in touch with your assigned inspector, confirm their time of arrival or cancel that inspection. Please note: Any cancellations after 8.30 result in a $150.00 late cancellation fee.

Yes, inspections for all new single family homes, townhomes, apartments, and all interior alterations or additions will include verification of both carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms are also required for installation of water heaters, furnaces or air conditioning. Smoke detectors that are required in your bedrooms, outside your bedrooms within 15 feet, and on each level of your home. Please review our Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms handout.

All Monthly Building Division Reports are available online. 

Construction, Demolition and Deconstruction materials make up approximately 25% of the total solid waste generated in the State of Colorado. Broomfield’s Zero Waste Plan identified CD&D waste diversion as a priority policy to advance. We are sharing with you the list of the best practices and facilities which provide alternatives to using the landfill.

Best Practices

Best practices for recycling, salvaging, and reusing CD&D materials focus on reducing waste, conserving resources, and supporting sustainable practices. Here are some strategies:

Source Reduction

The most effective way to manage CD&D materials is by preventing waste before it’s generated. Techniques include designing buildings with fewer materials, preserving existing structures, using adaptable and disassemblable designs, and optimizing building sizes. Purchasing agreements that minimize excess materials and packaging also help reduce waste.

Deconstruction for Reuse

Deconstruction involves carefully dismantling buildings to salvage valuable materials for reuse. This approach maximizes material recovery, conserves natural resources, and provides local economic benefits by creating job opportunities. Deconstruction can divert significant amounts of debris from landfills, preserving resources through reuse.

Materials That Can Be Reused:

Many CD&D materials can be salvaged for future use, including:

• Doors, hardware, appliances, and fixtures
• Wood
• Gypsum
• Concrete, brick, and masonry
• Excess insulation
• Paint
• Packaging materials

Recycling CD&D Materials

Many materials, such as asphalt, concrete, wood, and metals, can be recycled into new products like aggregates, engineered wood products like furniture, mulch, and compost. Researching local recycling options and partnering with certified recyclers ensures that materials are processed and managed correctly, to avoid mismanagement. Facilities that offer alternatives to the landfill are included below.

Rebuying CD&D Materials

Purchasing used and recycled materials for new construction helps boost the local economy, reduce costs, and preserve architectural character. Rebuying ensures that materials from deconstruction and recycling programs continue to be reused in new projects, contributing to a healthy economy and extending the life cycle of resources.

By integrating these practices—source reduction, deconstruction, material reuse, recycling, and rebuying: construction projects can reduce environmental impact, support local economies, and promote sustainable construction practices.

Please review the list of all Construction & Demolition Recycling Resources.

A homeowner getting a permit for performing construction work on their own home (primary residence) does not require a contractor's license, but will need to sign an Homeowner Statement indicating compliance with the State law prior to issuance of the permit. 

If a homeowner hires a contractor for any type of construction on a home, the contractor shall be licensed by the City and County of Broomfield. 

All contractors who perform work for pay or other compensation are required to be licensed as a contractor in the City and County of Broomfield.    

Homeowner-occupants may do all the work on their own home if they are confident in their abilities. However, the homeowner-occupant needs to sign a Homeowner Statement indicating compliance with the State law prior to issuance of the permit.

If you are a homeowner you will call our automated line 303-438-6376 to schedule inspections. The information needed to schedule your inspection will be on the inspection record card (available online under "Printables"). This will have the permit number (numerics only) and the 3-digit inspection code that is needed to schedule your inspection. The automated line allows you to schedule up to four days out, next day inspections are not guaranteed so please plan accordingly.  

If you are a contractor you can use our Online Portal to schedule your inspections. Please call 303.438.6370 to set up an account.

If the work is started without a permit, a special investigation fee may be charged before the permit can be issued. If the entire project is completed, such as a deck or basement finish, the homeowner remains responsible for obtaining the proper permits and inspections. In some cases, this may mean removal of wall coverings to check concealed work. Homeowners should also contact their insurance company to verify that the new work will still be covered if no permit has been obtained. Often a completed project is not caught until a prospective buyer or private home inspector checks with the building department or a disaster occurs.

The building division is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. Payments are accepted between 9:00am and 4:00pm.  

All structures (houses, garages, sheds, decks, pools, spas, patio covers, gazebos, etc.) are required to be located a certain distance away from all property lines of your lot. This distance varies with both the type of structure and the zoning of your neighborhood. Straight zoning (usually older neighborhoods) has regulations adopted by ordinance in the Municipal Code (Title 17, Zoning). Newer subdivisions have PUD (planned unit development) zoning, which has regulations unique to each subdivision or filing adopted through the development plan process. Typically, all structures shall be at least 5 feet away from the side property lines, and could be required to be set back even greater distances. In a majority of cases, the house is constructed at the minimum front setback line, and no structure can be built closer to the street than the house. The rear yard setbacks vary considerably, depending on the subdivision and the structure. There may also be utility or drainage easements in various locations on your lot that restrict the placement of any structure. For correct setback information in all zoning districts, please call the City and County of Broomfield Planning Division at 303-438-6284.