Building Permits in Boulder

Boulder's Planning & Development Services administers building permits and inspections through the City's Customer Self-Service Portal.

Current adopted codes

Boulder adopted the 2024 ICC code suite with local amendments, effective August 1, 2025. The City also uses the 2024 City of Boulder Energy Conservation Code. Boulder states that the 2026 NEC became effective August 1, 2026 following Colorado's state adoption, so older electrical-code references should not be carried forward.

Permits, inspections and fees

All permits require inspection, and inspections are requested through the Customer Self-Service Portal. Required inspections depend on the approved scope; the City does not guarantee special requested inspection times.

Boulder's 2026 fee schedule is detailed and project-specific. The initial plan-check rate is 25% of the building permit fee for single-family residential and 65% for multifamily residential and nonresidential applications. These percentages are Boulder-specific published fees, not generic assumptions. Most remaining building-permit fees are due at issuance.

Permit exemptions and professional-design requirements depend on scope and applicable code/state licensing rules; no universal seal statement is made.

Official sources

• Boulder building permits and inspections: https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/building-permits-and-inspections
• Boulder building codes: https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/building-codes-and-regulations
• Boulder 2026 fee schedule: https://bouldercolorado.gov/planning-and-development-services-2026-schedule-fees
• Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations: https://dpo.colorado.gov/

Disclaimer: Verify current amendments, fee calculations and project-specific requirements with Boulder Planning & Development Services before filing.