Archuleta County, CO - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Archuleta County only. Municipal permits are handled by the Town of Pagosa Springs inside town limits.

Department

Archuleta County Building Department, under Development Services / Planning Department

Address

398 Lewis Street, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Phone

970-264-8300

Website

https://www.archuletacounty.gov/county-government/development-services/building-department/

Application Process

1. Identify the correct application packet on the county building permit applications page.
2. Prepare the permit application, plans, and any supporting documents required by the packet.
3. Submit the application package to the Building Department for review.
4. The residential packet includes plan submission requirements and supporting documents such as building plans, outside-agency permits, and sometimes a soil test, as determined by Planning.

Source: Archuleta County Building Department, under Development Services / Planning Department

General Requirements

County permit packet materials govern new construction, additions, remodels, detached accessory structures, utilities, and other regulated work in unincorporated areas. Exact threshold rules are in the packet and adopted code documents.

Required Documents

• County permit packet
• Plans
• Site information
• Any required outside-agency approvals

Contractor requirements

Licensed trade contractors must comply with Colorado licensing rules for plumbing and electrical work. County building materials also reference state-licensed architects or engineers for commercial plan preparation.

Fees

Plan check fee

$250.00 for commercial building plan review; additional plan review due to changes, additions, or revisions is $50.00

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are set in the permit info packet, not in the fee schedule itself.

Reinspection fee

$50.00 per trip for 3 or more visits for the same inspection

Penalty (no permit)

$100.00 per day for building without permit citation; corrective building permit after citation is 200 percent of original fee

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Archuleta County Building Department, under Development Services / Planning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: Inspections are performed in the normal code sequence for the specific permit type, with the permit packet and inspector directions controlling required order.

Additional Resources

• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Zoning map
• Land use regulations
• Floodplain development
• Residential information packet
• Permit applications
• License lookup guide: Colorado Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Colorado Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Colorado hub: Colorado Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Archuleta County Building Permit FAQ

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

County permit packet materials govern new construction, additions, remodels, detached accessory structures, utilities, and other regulated work in unincorporated areas. Exact threshold rules are in the packet and adopted code documents.

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

Fees are calculated as: Building permit fees are set in the permit info packet, not in the fee schedule itself.. Plan check fee: $250.00 for commercial building plan review; additional plan review due to changes, additions, or revisions is $50.00.

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

1. Identify the correct application packet on the county building permit applications page. 2. Prepare the permit application, plans, and any supporting documents required by the packet. 3. Submit the application package to the Building Department for review. 4. The residential packet includes plan submission requirements and supporting documents such as building plans, outside-agency permits, and sometimes a soil test, as determined by Planning.