County Building Permits
Chaffee County, CO - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chaffee County, Colorado. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Chaffee County
- Department
- Chaffee County Building Safety Department / Development Services Department
- Address
- 104 Crestone Avenue, Room 120, P.O. Box 699, Salida, Colorado 81201
- Phone
- (719) 530-5630
- Website
- https://www.chaffeecounty.org/
Online Permit Portal
Platform: County-hosted web forms and linked PDF applications • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Start with the planning and zoning application page and select the applicable permit or zoning form.
- Prepare the building application package and required supporting documents.
- Submit the application and plan review materials to the county building office.
- County reviews zoning, floodplain, engineering, water/septic, and code items as applicable.
- Pay the plan review fee when the application is submitted.
- County issues the permit after review and approvals.
Source: Chaffee County Building Safety Department / Development Services Department
General Requirements
A building permit is required for work in unincorporated Chaffee County.
Required Documents
- Deed copy
- Septic application and engineering
- Well permit
- County driveway permit or state access permit
- Elevation certificate if in floodplain
- Geotechnical report as applicable
- Building code
- The application fee schedule references the 2024 International Code Council Building Valuation Data and the commercial form references the 2024 International Building Code.
- Contractor requirements
- Application asks for contractor information and signatures; plumbing and electrical licensing are controlled by the State of Colorado.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $110.00, which includes the plan review fee
- Plan check fee
- 10% of the building permit fee
- Permit fee formula
- Building permit fee = total valuation x .007; plan review fee = building permit fee x 10%; total due = permit fee + plan review fee
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Chaffee County Building Safety Department / Development Services Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: The commercial application indicates the fire district may inspect during construction and prior to occupancy, and the county building department issues permits after review.
Additional Resources
- Building code: The application fee schedule references the 2024 International Code Council Building Valuation Data and the commercial form references the 2024 International Building Code.
- Planning and zoning forms
- County building department page
- License lookup guide: Colorado Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Colorado Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Colorado hub: Colorado Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Chaffee County Building Safety Department / Development Services Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chaffee County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Chaffee County, CO?
- A building permit is required for work in unincorporated Chaffee County.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Chaffee County, CO?
- The minimum permit fee is $110.00, which includes the plan review fee. Fees are calculated as: Building permit fee = total valuation x .007; plan review fee = building permit fee x 10%; total due = permit fee + plan review fee. Plan check fee: 10% of the building permit fee.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chaffee County, CO?
- 1. Start with the planning and zoning application page and select the applicable permit or zoning form. 2. Prepare the building application package and required supporting documents. 3. Submit the application and plan review materials to the county building office. 4. County reviews zoning, floodplain, engineering, water/septic, and code items as applicable. 5. Pay the plan review fee when the application is submitted. 6. County issues the permit after review and approvals.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Unincorporated Chaffee County can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector works