On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Colorado Springs
PPRBD requires permits for most home improvement projects including decks, hot tubs, pools, basement finishes, additions, siding, porches, accessory structures over 200 sq ft, electrical work, water heaters, furnaces, roofing, and walls over 4 feet.
One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet
Fences not over 7 feet high
Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting surcharge
Flatwork, walks, driveways not more than 30 inches above grade
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops
Swings and playground equipment
Window awnings meeting code size and occupancy limits
Nonfixed fixtures, cases, counters under 5 feet 9 inches
Portable heating, ventilation, cooking, or drying appliances
Minor plumbing fixture removal/reinstallation without piping changes
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting surcharge
- Exempt Flatwork, walks, driveways not more than 30 inches above grade
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops
- Exempt Swings and playground equipment
- Exempt Window awnings meeting code size and occupancy limits
- Exempt Nonfixed fixtures, cases, counters under 5 feet 9 inches
- Exempt Portable heating, ventilation, cooking, or drying appliances
- Exempt Minor plumbing fixture removal/reinstallation without piping changes
Note: Pittsburgh publishes permit-specific requirements; confirm with PLI if your work is exempt.
Required documents
- Permit application
- Electronic plan submittals in PDF for projects requiring plan review
- Project-specific handouts and forms as applicable
- Accela portal documents for separate city review
- Building code
- 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code built on 2021 IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IPC, IECC, IEBC, ISPSC, and 2023 NEC; Appendix D contains adoption ordinance.
- Permit validity
- Under RBC105.8, administratively closed if no valid inspection within 6 months; one extension up to 180 days may be granted; void if no inspection within 1 year or work abandoned for 1 year.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may pull permits only for a primary residence they own and occupy; not for rental property.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must be licensed or registered with PPRBD; electrical, plumbing, and elevator contractors must register with PPRBD even if state-licensed.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm whether the project requires a permit and whether plan review is required.
- 02 Check for Colorado Springs land use or development review requirements if applicable.
- 03 Create a free PPRBD homeowner or contractor web account if submitting online.
- 04 Submit an eligible electronic plan through PPRBD ePlan review or apply in person/phone.
- 05 If incomplete, PPRBD requests corrections; if complete, the plan enters departmental review.
- 06 Pay permit and plan review fees; Citywide Development Impact fees are due at building permit.
- 07 After approvals and payment, PPRBD issues the permit; schedule inspections as work progresses.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective Current
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$50.00 under PPRBD valuation table
02
Plan check fee
28% of building permit fee; $100/hour for additional review after second disapproval
03
Permit fee formula
Primarily valuation-based under PPRBD Table A; flat fees for residential reroof, stucco, siding, basement finish, and trade permits; additional city development fees apply for planning, engineering, fire, utilities, and Citywide Development Impact fees.
04
Reinspection fee
$50 first, $100 second, $200 third plus 2-day delay; $100/hour for outside business hours (2-hour minimum)
05
Penalty (no permit)
Work without permit: 2 times the permit fee in addition to permit fee
PPRBD web accounts allow online payment via Speedpay/ACI Worldwide; permits can be purchased online, by phone, or in person; Colorado Springs city planning fees paid through electronic application process.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective Current) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- PPRBD web account (online)
- 719-327-2880 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Same-day inspections requested weekdays from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM
- Inspection hours
- Estimated arrival after 9:00 AM
Automated call available about 60 minutes before inspector arrival
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Colorado Springs permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Colorado Springs, CO? ▸
PPRBD requires permits for most home improvement projects including decks, hot tubs, pools, basement finishes, additions, siding, porches, accessory structures over 200 sq ft, electrical work, water heaters, furnaces, roofing, and walls over 4 feet.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Colorado Springs, CO? ▸
Building permit fees in Colorado Springs, CO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $50.00 under PPRBD valuation table. Fees are calculated as: Primarily valuation-based under PPRBD Table A; flat fees for residential reroof, stucco, siding, basement finish, and trade permits; additional city development fees apply for planning, engineering, fire, utilities, and Citywide Development Impact fees.. Plan check fee: 28% of building permit fee; $100/hour for additional review after second disapproval.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Colorado Springs, CO? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Colorado Springs, CO, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the project requires a permit and whether plan review is required. 2. Check for Colorado Springs land use or development review requirements if applicable. 3. Create a free PPRBD homeowner or contractor web account if submitting online. 4. Submit an eligible electronic plan through PPRBD ePlan review or apply in person/phone. 5. If incomplete, PPRBD requests corrections; if complete, the plan enters departmental review. 6. Pay permit and plan review fees; Citywide Development Impact fees are due at building permit. 7. After approvals and payment, PPRBD issues the permit; schedule inspections as work progresses.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Colorado Springs, CO? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Colorado Springs, CO. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting surcharge; Flatwork, walks, driveways not more than 30 inches above grade; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops; Swings and playground equipment; Window awnings meeting code size and occupancy limits; Nonfixed fixtures, cases, counters under 5 feet 9 inches; Portable heating, ventilation, cooking, or drying appliances; Minor plumbing fixture removal/reinstallation without piping changes. Note: Pittsburgh publishes permit-specific requirements; confirm with PLI if your work is exempt. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Colorado Springs, CO? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Colorado Springs, CO via: PPRBD web account, 719-327-2880. Same-day inspections requested weekdays from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM.
last verified April 2026
source Pikes Peak Regional Building Department for building permits and inspections; City of Colorado Springs Planning Department for land use and development review ↗
entry id permits/colorado/el-paso/colorado-springs
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Pikes Peak Regional Building Department for building permits and inspections; City of Colorado Springs Planning Department for land use and development review before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.