Arapahoe County, CO - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies only in unincorporated Arapahoe County, not inside incorporated municipal limits such as Aurora, Centennial, Littleton, Englewood, Sheridan, Greenwood Village, or Cherry Hills Village.

Department

Building Division, Public Works and Development

Address

Lima Plaza, 6924 S. Lima Street, Centennial, CO 80112

Phone

720-874-6600

Email

pwdbuildingsupport@arapahoegov.com

Website

https://files.arapahoeco.gov/your_county/county_departments/public_works_and_development/divisions/building/building_permit_application_and_fees.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Review the county's permit application and residential/commercial requirement guides.
2. Create or use an Accela Customer Access account.
3. Submit the complete permit package and upload required attachments.
4. County staff review the submittal; incomplete or poor-quality submissions extend review time.
5. Pay fees online once invoiced and approved.
6. Permit is issued in Customer Access, then inspections are scheduled online.

Typical processing time: Average first-round review after acceptance is 10-12 weeks for projects over $100,000 valuation, 6-8 weeks for projects under $100,000, and 6-8 weeks for solar permits.

Source: Building Division, Public Works and Development

General Requirements

County guidance publishes permit-specific requirements for common residential and commercial building permits, including remodels, additions, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roofing, decks, solar, and accessory structures.

Required Documents

• Application
• Site plan
• Construction documents
• Cover sheet with code/zoning data
• Geotechnical report where required
• Engineering
• Truss package
• Manufacturer instructions
• Energy/code compliance items
• Permit-type-specific attachments

Building code

County materials state code and design criteria based on the 2021 IBC and 2021 IRC became effective April 1, 2022; permit guides direct applicants to current county building codes and amendments.

Owner-builder

If any work is done directly by the homeowner instead of a licensed contractor, a signed certificate for owner-generated permits must be provided.

Contractor requirements

Arapahoe County licenses contractors locally. Colorado electrical and plumbing contractors are exempt from county licensing but must hold state licenses.

Fees

Plan check fee

Included in county fee materials, but the exact formula was not clearly extracted from the reviewed page capture.

Permit fee formula

County publishes a current building permit fee schedule; building permit pricing is valuation-based with separate categories for various permit classes.

Reinspection fee

After-hours inspection rate of $176.00 per hour with a four-hour minimum.

Payment note

Electronic check has a $1.50 transaction fee and credit card payments carry a 3 percent transaction fee; county noted a payment-vendor fee increase effective September 22, 2025.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building Division, Public Works and Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Accela Customer Access (online)
• For after-hours inspections (email)

Inspection hours

After-hours inspections can be arranged Monday-Friday from 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m., subject to inspector availability.

Additional Resources

• Building code: County materials state code and design criteria based on the 2021 IBC and 2021 IRC became effective April 1, 2022; permit guides direct applicants to current county building codes and amendments.
• Verify contractor license: Contractor Licensing
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Residential Permit Application Requirements
• Building Services - Licensing
• Zoning and Planning
• License lookup guide: Colorado Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Colorado Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Colorado hub: Colorado Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Arapahoe County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Arapahoe County, CO?

County guidance publishes permit-specific requirements for common residential and commercial building permits, including remodels, additions, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roofing, decks, solar, and accessory structures.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Arapahoe County, CO?

Fees are calculated as: County publishes a current building permit fee schedule; building permit pricing is valuation-based with separate categories for various permit classes.. Plan check fee: Included in county fee materials, but the exact formula was not clearly extracted from the reviewed page capture..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Arapahoe County, CO?

1. Review the county's permit application and residential/commercial requirement guides. 2. Create or use an Accela Customer Access account. 3. Submit the complete permit package and upload required attachments. 4. County staff review the submittal; incomplete or poor-quality submissions extend review time. 5. Pay fees online once invoiced and approved. 6. Permit is issued in Customer Access, then inspections are scheduled online.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Arapahoe County, CO?

Typical processing time is Average first-round review after acceptance is 10-12 weeks for projects over $100,000 valuation, 6-8 weeks for projects under $100,000, and 6-8 weeks for solar permits..

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Arapahoe County, CO?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Accela Customer Access, For after-hours inspections.