jaspector
City building permits

City of Manitou Springs

How to apply for a building permit in City of Manitou Springs, Colorado. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Min. permit fee
$35 Manitou minimum; $50 PPRBD
Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Manitou Springs Planning Department for Property Improvement Permits and use tax; Pikes Peak Regional Building Department for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits

Street address
City Planning: 606 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829; PPRBD: 2880 International Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Coverage
Manitou Springs uses a two-layer system. City requires Property Improvement Permit and use tax process for almost all improvements; issues use tax ID needed to pull PPRBD building permit. For structural/electrical/plumbing/mechanical work, PPRBD handles building permit and inspections.
Online portal
CivicPlus Planning Forms
CivicPlus Planning Forms
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Manitou Springs

Manitou Springs states almost all improvements require Property Improvement Permit. Construction involving structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work also requires PPRBD permit.

City states almost all improvements require Property Improvement Permit
For regional building permit layer, PPRBD exempt-work categories apply
  • Exempt City states almost all improvements require Property Improvement Permit
  • Exempt For regional building permit layer, PPRBD exempt-work categories apply

Note: Applicants should not assume exemption from Manitou city permit or historic review without Planning confirmation.

Required documents
  • Completed Property Improvement Permit application
  • PDF plans and construction material information when applicable
  • Historic district location and zoning designation documents
  • Site plan materials
  • PPRBD permit and plan materials for building permit component
Building code
Manitou Springs participates in 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code through PPRBD. City applies Land Use and Development Code and historic district review. Appendix F contains adoption ordinance.
Permit validity
City pages don't clearly publish standard expiration for Property Improvement Permit. PPRBD's 6-month administrative closure and 1-year voiding rules apply to building permit layer.
Owner-builder
PPRBD homeowner rules apply to building permit layer; limited to owner-occupied primary residences.
Contractor requirements
PPRBD contractor licensing applies for building permit layer. City emphasizes contacting Planning before work; no separate city contractor license requirement clearly published.

Source: City of Manitou Springs Planning Department for Property Improvement Permits and use tax; Pikes Peak Regional Building Department for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits ↗

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Review city FAQ and determine whether Property Improvement Permit is required.
  2. 02
    Check zoning and historic district status using city's zoning map and historic sub-district map.
  3. 03
    Submit Property Improvement Permit application online, by email, or in person with PDF plans.
  4. 04
    Planning Department reviews and contacts applicant for payment.
  5. 05
    City issues Property Improvement Permit and use tax ID number after payment received.
  6. 06
    Use ID number to pull required PPRBD building permit for structural/electrical/plumbing/mechanical work.
  7. 07
    Submit PPRBD permit or ePlan materials, obtain issuance, and complete inspections.

Source: City of Manitou Springs Planning Department for Property Improvement Permits and use tax; Pikes Peak Regional Building Department for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective July 1, 2020 for use tax; current for other fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$35 Manitou minimum; $50 PPRBD
02
Plan check fee
Manitou fee schedule includes city-side review fees; PPRBD plan examination is 28% of building permit fee
03
Permit fee formula
Manitou fee schedule charges by permit type and valuation brackets. City use tax 3.8% of material cost (not labor). PPRBD separately charges valuation-based or flat building permit fees.
04
Reinspection fee
$50 first, $100 second, $200 third plus 2-day delay
05
Penalty (no permit)
Work without permit: 2 times the permit fee

City issues permit and use tax ID only after payment received. Accepts cash, check, or credit/debit card; cash and check in person only; card payments in person or by phone.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 1, 2020 for use tax; current for other fees) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
Scheduling deadline
Same-day requests weekdays from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM
Inspection hours
Estimated arrival after 9:00 AM

Typical sequence: For PPRBD permit work, includes footing, foundation, framing, rough trade, insulation, and final. Manitou city permit is front-loaded as prerequisite and use tax clearance step before PPRBD permit.

Source: City of Manitou Springs Planning Department for Property Improvement Permits and use tax; Pikes Peak Regional Building Department for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Manitou Springs permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Manitou Springs, CO?
Manitou Springs states almost all improvements require Property Improvement Permit. Construction involving structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work also requires PPRBD permit.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Manitou Springs, CO?
Building permit fees in Manitou Springs, CO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $35 Manitou minimum; $50 PPRBD. Fees are calculated as: Manitou fee schedule charges by permit type and valuation brackets. City use tax 3.8% of material cost (not labor). PPRBD separately charges valuation-based or flat building permit fees.. Plan check fee: Manitou fee schedule includes city-side review fees; PPRBD plan examination is 28% of building permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Manitou Springs, CO?
To apply for a building permit in Manitou Springs, CO, follow these steps: 1. Review city FAQ and determine whether Property Improvement Permit is required. 2. Check zoning and historic district status using city's zoning map and historic sub-district map. 3. Submit Property Improvement Permit application online, by email, or in person with PDF plans. 4. Planning Department reviews and contacts applicant for payment. 5. City issues Property Improvement Permit and use tax ID number after payment received. 6. Use ID number to pull required PPRBD building permit for structural/electrical/plumbing/mechanical work. 7. Submit PPRBD permit or ePlan materials, obtain issuance, and complete inspections.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Manitou Springs, CO?
Not all construction work requires a permit in Manitou Springs, CO. The following work is generally exempt: City states almost all improvements require Property Improvement Permit; For regional building permit layer, PPRBD exempt-work categories apply. Note: Applicants should not assume exemption from Manitou city permit or historic review without Planning confirmation. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Manitou Springs, CO?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Manitou Springs, CO via: PPRBD web account, 719-327-2880. Same-day requests weekdays from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM.

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Manitou Springs Planning Department for Property Improvement Permits and use tax; Pikes Peak Regional Building Department for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

§   Adjacent

Other jurisdictions in El Paso County.

Same county, different permit office. Click for that jurisdiction's full guide.

All El Paso County jurisdictions →