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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Lakewood
Other than very minor cosmetic work, all construction requires a building permit. Lakewood publishes a separate exemptions list.
One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet commercial or 200 square feet residential
Movable cases, cabinets, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
Retaining walls not over 30 inches high unless supporting surcharge or impounding flammable liquids
Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with qualifying proportions
Private walks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement/story below and not part of an accessible route
Painting, paper, and similar finish work
Prefabricated non-heated pools less than 24 inches deep without circulation system
Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets subject to fire approval
Swings and playground equipment accessory to 1- and 2-family and townhome uses
Window awnings on qualifying residential occupancies projecting not more than 54 inches
Shutters, windows, gutters, doors, and other minor cosmetic additions not affecting structure
Roof covering repairs less than 100 square feet unless removal of mechanical or electrical equipment is required
Detached residential decks up to 200 square feet meeting the city handout conditions
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet commercial or 200 square feet residential
- Exempt Movable cases, cabinets, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 30 inches high unless supporting surcharge or impounding flammable liquids
- Exempt Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with qualifying proportions
- Exempt Private walks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement/story below and not part of an accessible route
- Exempt Painting, paper, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated non-heated pools less than 24 inches deep without circulation system
- Exempt Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets subject to fire approval
- Exempt Swings and playground equipment accessory to 1- and 2-family and townhome uses
- Exempt Window awnings on qualifying residential occupancies projecting not more than 54 inches
- Exempt Shutters, windows, gutters, doors, and other minor cosmetic additions not affecting structure
- Exempt Roof covering repairs less than 100 square feet unless removal of mechanical or electrical equipment is required
- Exempt Detached residential decks up to 200 square feet meeting the city handout conditions
Note: Confirm exemption applicability with the city before proceeding with minor work.
Required documents
- Completed application
- Valuation including labor and materials
- Plans showing existing and proposed work
- Project-specific supporting documents
- Asbestos survey/report for most renovation projects disturbing more than 32 square feet of interior finish
- West Metro Fire or Jeffco Public Health stamping for commercial plans if applicable
- Building code
- 2021 code cycle including 2021 IPC. City permit pages point users to the city adopted building codes page; 2023 ordinance pages show adoption of 2021 code-cycle provisions. Confirm the full current code set on the city code page when preparing an application.
- Permit validity
- Current public-facing permit page does not clearly state the active expiration rule; verify on the city adopted code page or at permit issuance. Reopen expired permit fee is listed.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-occupant of a single-family detached home may pull the permit for work they perform. Townhome or duplex owners may do so only in some circumstances. LLCs, trusts, and corporations are not issued homeowner permits.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors and subcontractors must be registered with the City of Lakewood; contractor registration and renewal are handled through eTRAKiT.
Source: City of Lakewood Public Works Department, Permit Counter / Building and Construction Permits ↗
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm whether the work is permit-exempt using the city exemptions handout and permit types page.
- 02 Create a homeowner or contractor eTRAKiT account.
- 03 Submit the permit application through eTRAKiT with valuation, plans, and required supporting documents.
- 04 If contractor work is included, ensure all contractors and subcontractors are registered and attached before issuance.
- 05 Pay plan review fees when assessed; permit fees and estimated use tax are collected at issuance.
- 06 After permit issuance, schedule required inspections through eTRAKiT.
- 07 Complete final inspection and obtain certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion when applicable.
Source: City of Lakewood Public Works Department, Permit Counter / Building and Construction Permits ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Lakewood building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$26 valuation-based minimum; several flat-fee permits also published, including $80 fences and $110 reroof permits for single-family/duplex residential units
02
Plan check fee
65% of permit fee for permits requiring plan review; master plan repeat-use fee listed at $325 per subsequent use
03
Permit fee formula
Primarily valuation-based; flat-fee categories exist for selected permit types; estimated use tax is collected at 3% of 50% of project valuation
04
Reinspection fee
$80 per hour minimum one hour
05
Penalty (no permit)
Additional plan review $65 per hour minimum four hours; reopen expired permit $60; permit fee may be doubled for emergency work not followed by next-business-day permit application
Fees are paid through eTRAKiT; city advises callers to verify fee amounts because fee schedules change periodically.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- eTRAKiT portal (online)
- 303-987-7768 (automated scheduling) (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests by 7 a.m. are typically performed the same day; inspections may be scheduled up to 6 days in advance; requests may be placed 24 hours a day.
- Inspection hours
- Requests by 7 a.m. are typically performed same day
- Time windows
- Requests by 7 a.m. are typically performed same day; inspections may be scheduled up to 6 days in advance
Typical sequence: Typical sequence includes footing, foundation, underground trade inspections, rough trade inspections, framing, insulation/air barrier, drywall or specialty stages, final systems inspections, and final building inspection.
Source: City of Lakewood Public Works Department, Permit Counter / Building and Construction Permits ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Lakewood permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Lakewood, CO? ▸
Other than very minor cosmetic work, all construction requires a building permit. Lakewood publishes a separate exemptions list.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Lakewood, CO? ▸
Building permit fees in Lakewood, CO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $26 valuation-based minimum; several flat-fee permits also published, including $80 fences and $110 reroof permits for single-family/duplex residential units. Fees are calculated as: Primarily valuation-based; flat-fee categories exist for selected permit types; estimated use tax is collected at 3% of 50% of project valuation. Plan check fee: 65% of permit fee for permits requiring plan review; master plan repeat-use fee listed at $325 per subsequent use.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Lakewood, CO? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Lakewood, CO, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the work is permit-exempt using the city exemptions handout and permit types page. 2. Create a homeowner or contractor eTRAKiT account. 3. Submit the permit application through eTRAKiT with valuation, plans, and required supporting documents. 4. If contractor work is included, ensure all contractors and subcontractors are registered and attached before issuance. 5. Pay plan review fees when assessed; permit fees and estimated use tax are collected at issuance. 6. After permit issuance, schedule required inspections through eTRAKiT. 7. Complete final inspection and obtain certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion when applicable.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Lakewood, CO? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Lakewood, CO. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet commercial or 200 square feet residential; Movable cases, cabinets, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high; Retaining walls not over 30 inches high unless supporting surcharge or impounding flammable liquids; Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with qualifying proportions; Private walks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement/story below and not part of an accessible route; Painting, paper, and similar finish work; Prefabricated non-heated pools less than 24 inches deep without circulation system; Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets subject to fire approval; Swings and playground equipment accessory to 1- and 2-family and townhome uses; Window awnings on qualifying residential occupancies projecting not more than 54 inches; Shutters, windows, gutters, doors, and other minor cosmetic additions not affecting structure; Roof covering repairs less than 100 square feet unless removal of mechanical or electrical equipment is required; Detached residential decks up to 200 square feet meeting the city handout conditions. Note: Confirm exemption applicability with the city before proceeding with minor work. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Lakewood, CO? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Lakewood, CO via: eTRAKiT portal, 303-987-7768 (automated scheduling). Requests by 7 a.m. are typically performed the same day; inspections may be scheduled up to 6 days in advance; requests may be placed 24 hours a day..
last verified April 2026
source City of Lakewood Public Works Department, Permit Counter / Building and Construction Permits ↗
entry id permits/colorado/jefferson/lakewood
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Lakewood Public Works Department, Permit Counter / Building and Construction Permits before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.