On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Larimer County
The county states building permits are required for structures and alterations in unincorporated Larimer County except for listed exempt work. The county also separately identifies miscellaneous permits for reroof, HVAC, fireplace, gas line, plumbing, electrical, demolition of primary structures, and similar scopes.
Residential accessory buildings or agricultural buildings not exceeding 200 square feet in area
Fences less than 7 feet high
Retaining walls no more than 4 feet above grade and not supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids
Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and ratio limits are met
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement or story below
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
Playground equipment accessory to detached one-family and two-family dwellings
Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to detached one-family dwellings under listed county depth and capacity thresholds
- Exempt Residential accessory buildings or agricultural buildings not exceeding 200 square feet in area
- Exempt Fences less than 7 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls no more than 4 feet above grade and not supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and ratio limits are met
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement or story below
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
- Exempt Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
- Exempt Playground equipment accessory to detached one-family and two-family dwellings
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to detached one-family dwellings under listed county depth and capacity thresholds
Required documents
- County permit application
- Plans
- Homeowner certification when acting as own general contractor
- Project-specific forms and reports
- Building code
- Public county handouts reference the county building code system; the exact currently adopted code edition should be confirmed from the county code adoption page or permit staff for the submission date.
- Permit validity
- The county FAQ and permit pages reviewed did not clearly restate a simple expiration rule; verify directly with the Building Division at issuance.
- Owner-builder
- The county requires a Homeowner Certification and Responsibilities form when a homeowner is acting as their own general contractor.
- Contractor requirements
- Larimer County licenses contractors locally. The county publishes separate licensing requirements and fees by trade and notes state licensure requirements for electricians and plumbers.
Source: Larimer County Community Development, Building Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: The main county permit pages reviewed do not publish one universal permit turnaround.
- 01 Determine whether the work requires a building permit using the county Building Permit Requirements guidance.
- 02 Identify whether the permit can be submitted online or must be submitted in hard copy. Online intake currently limited to miscellaneous, utility, solar, and electrical permit types.
- 03 Complete the correct county permit application form and gather required plans, forms, and homeowner certification if acting as your own general contractor.
- 04 Submit the application through the online portal when eligible, or submit hard-copy materials for residential or commercial permits as directed by the county.
- 05 Respond to county review comments and provide any outside approvals required for wildfire, health, septic, floodplain, or planning issues.
- 06 Pay permit fees and any contractor licensing or related fees before issuance.
- 07 Schedule inspections through the online portal, complete the inspection sequence, and finish final approvals or certificate of occupancy requirements.
Typical processing time: The main county permit pages reviewed do not publish one universal permit turnaround.
Source: Larimer County Community Development, Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Larimer County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Contractor application fees include $75 for several license classes; simple minimum building permit fee not clearly published on main pages.
02
Plan check fee
Included within county fee schedule; main permit pages do not summarize one universal percentage.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed by permit class. Miscellaneous permits use flat permit types, while building permits use county fee schedules and valuation or project-based calculations.
04
Reinspection fee
Contractor licensing page notes 2.99 percent convenience charge on certain credit card transactions; separate reinspection or enforcement charges should be confirmed from county fee schedule.
County pages indicate cash, check, and credit card payment for some licensing transactions; credit card convenience charges may apply.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Online portal inspection tools (online)
- Inspection hours
- County routes inspection scheduling through online portal; main public pages do not publish one brief inspection window summary.
Typical sequence: Typical county sequence includes footing, foundation, rough trade and framing inspections, insulation and energy inspections, finals, and certificate of occupancy items as applicable.
Source: Larimer County Community Development, Building Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Larimer County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Larimer County, CO? ▸
The county states building permits are required for structures and alterations in unincorporated Larimer County except for listed exempt work. The county also separately identifies miscellaneous permits for reroof, HVAC, fireplace, gas line, plumbing, electrical, demolition of primary structures, and similar scopes.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Larimer County, CO? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Larimer County, CO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Contractor application fees include $75 for several license classes; simple minimum building permit fee not clearly published on main pages.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed by permit class. Miscellaneous permits use flat permit types, while building permits use county fee schedules and valuation or project-based calculations.. Plan check fee: Included within county fee schedule; main permit pages do not summarize one universal percentage..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Larimer County, CO? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Larimer County, CO, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the work requires a building permit using the county Building Permit Requirements guidance. 2. Identify whether the permit can be submitted online or must be submitted in hard copy. Online intake currently limited to miscellaneous, utility, solar, and electrical permit types. 3. Complete the correct county permit application form and gather required plans, forms, and homeowner certification if acting as your own general contractor. 4. Submit the application through the online portal when eligible, or submit hard-copy materials for residential or commercial permits as directed by the county. 5. Respond to county review comments and provide any outside approvals required for wildfire, health, septic, floodplain, or planning issues. 6. Pay permit fees and any contractor licensing or related fees before issuance. 7. Schedule inspections through the online portal, complete the inspection sequence, and finish final approvals or certificate of occupancy requirements.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Larimer County, CO? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Larimer County, CO typically run The main county permit pages reviewed do not publish one universal permit turnaround.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Larimer County, CO? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Larimer County, CO. The following work is generally exempt: Residential accessory buildings or agricultural buildings not exceeding 200 square feet in area; Fences less than 7 feet high; Retaining walls no more than 4 feet above grade and not supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids; Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and ratio limits are met; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement or story below; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high; Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery; Playground equipment accessory to detached one-family and two-family dwellings; Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to detached one-family dwellings under listed county depth and capacity thresholds. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Larimer County, CO? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Larimer County, CO via: Online portal inspection tools.
last verified April 2026
source Larimer County Community Development, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/colorado/larimer/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Larimer County Community Development, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.