Chaffee County, CO — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Chaffee County Building Safety Department / Development Services Department

Street address

104 Crestone Avenue, Room 120, P.O. Box 699, Salida, Colorado 81201

Phone

(719) 530-5630

bdepartment@chaffeecounty.org

Coverage

Unincorporated Chaffee County

Online portal

Planning and Zoning Application Forms

County-hosted web forms and linked PDF applications

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Chaffee County

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.

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Start with the planning and zoning application page and select the applicable permit or zoning form.
02

Prepare the building application package and required supporting documents.
03

Submit the application and plan review materials to the county building office.
04

County reviews zoning, floodplain, engineering, water/septic, and code items as applicable.
05

Pay the plan review fee when the application is submitted.
06

County issues the permit after review and approvals.

Source: Chaffee County Building Safety Department / Development Services Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Chaffee County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Typical 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.

Source: Chaffee County Building Safety Department / Development Services Department ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Chaffee County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Chaffee County, CO? ▸

A building permit is required for work in unincorporated Chaffee County.

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Chaffee County, CO? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Chaffee County, CO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chaffee County, CO? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chaffee County, CO, follow these steps: 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.

last verified April 2026 source Chaffee County Building Safety Department / Development Services Department ↗ entry id permits/colorado/chaffee/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Chaffee County Building Safety Department / Development Services Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.