On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Palisade
Palisade LDC Section 4.08 says it is unlawful to undertake land-disturbing activity until the Community Development Director issues a planning clearance permit. Where a building permit is required the planning clearance application must be made concurrently.
Temporary uses under the Palisade LDC do not require planning clearance
Fences under 7 feet
Retaining walls under 4 feet
Finish work
Small accessory structures within published thresholds
Certain reroof overlays
Low-profile decks
- Exempt Temporary uses under the Palisade LDC do not require planning clearance
- Exempt Fences under 7 feet
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet
- Exempt Finish work
- Exempt Small accessory structures within published thresholds
- Exempt Certain reroof overlays
- Exempt Low-profile decks
Note: Building permit exemptions follow the Mesa County administered building code and county exemption list for Palisade projects.
Required documents
- Palisade planning clearance
- Any required site plan materials under the town LDC
- Mesa County permit application
- Checklist materials
- Plans
- Assessor form and floor plan where required
- Sewer or septic clearance
- Fire clearance where applicable
- Building code
- Building permit code administration is through Mesa County's adopted 2024 code package. Palisade separately adopts and administers its own Land Development Code for zoning and planning review.
- Permit validity
- Palisade site plan and conditional use approvals generally expire after three years unless pursued as described in the LDC. Mesa County building permits become null and void if the project is not commenced and progress verified by an inspector every 180 days.
- Owner-builder
- Mesa County inspection notice allows a residential homeowner to perform electrical and plumbing work; otherwise those trades must be performed by persons licensed by the State of Colorado.
- Contractor requirements
- Mesa County says contractor licensing is only required in Grand Junction city limits, not countywide. State plumbing and electrical licensing still applies. Palisade's fee schedule separately states building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permit fees are per Mesa County Building Department.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Determine whether the project triggers Palisade planning clearance under Section 4.08 of the Town Land Development Code.
- 02 Submit for Palisade planning clearance concurrently with the building permit when a building permit is required; Palisade's code states no building permit or certificate of occupancy may issue until required site plan or planning approvals are granted.
- 03 Create or use a Mesa County Customer Portal account and submit the building permit application with town planning clearance and the county checklist documents.
- 04 Respond to county and review-agency comments, then pay fees when approved.
- 05 Obtain permit issuance from Mesa County and schedule inspections through the county portal, phone, or text.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Town planning clearance basic $10.00; Mesa County building permit minimum $50.00
02
Plan check fee
Building plan review follows Mesa County's fee schedule; Palisade fee schedule does not publish a separate town plan-check percentage for Mesa County-issued building permits.
03
Permit fee formula
Palisade planning clearances are flat fees; building permits are valuation-based under the Mesa County building fee schedule.
04
Reinspection fee
Mesa County building reinspection fees apply
Expect separate town planning-clearance fees and Mesa County building permit fees when both approvals are required.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Mesa County Customer Portal (online)
- 970-256-1564 (phone)
- 844-987-4628 (text)
- Scheduling deadline
- Same-day or next-business-day scheduling if received by 7:00 a.m.; later requests within the next two business days.
Typical sequence: County building and trade inspection sequence generally runs footing or foundation, framing, rough trade inspections, insulation, specialty inspections as needed, and final.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Palisade permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Palisade, CO? ▸
Palisade LDC Section 4.08 says it is unlawful to undertake land-disturbing activity until the Community Development Director issues a planning clearance permit. Where a building permit is required the planning clearance application must be made concurrently.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Palisade, CO? ▸
Building permit fees in Palisade, CO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Town planning clearance basic $10.00; Mesa County building permit minimum $50.00. Fees are calculated as: Palisade planning clearances are flat fees; building permits are valuation-based under the Mesa County building fee schedule.. Plan check fee: Building plan review follows Mesa County's fee schedule; Palisade fee schedule does not publish a separate town plan-check percentage for Mesa County-issued building permits..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Palisade, CO? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Palisade, CO, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project triggers Palisade planning clearance under Section 4.08 of the Town Land Development Code. 2. Submit for Palisade planning clearance concurrently with the building permit when a building permit is required; Palisade's code states no building permit or certificate of occupancy may issue until required site plan or planning approvals are granted. 3. Create or use a Mesa County Customer Portal account and submit the building permit application with town planning clearance and the county checklist documents. 4. Respond to county and review-agency comments, then pay fees when approved. 5. Obtain permit issuance from Mesa County and schedule inspections through the county portal, phone, or text.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Palisade, CO? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Palisade, CO. The following work is generally exempt: Temporary uses under the Palisade LDC do not require planning clearance; Fences under 7 feet; Retaining walls under 4 feet; Finish work; Small accessory structures within published thresholds; Certain reroof overlays; Low-profile decks. Note: Building permit exemptions follow the Mesa County administered building code and county exemption list for Palisade projects. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Palisade, CO? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Palisade, CO via: Mesa County Customer Portal, 970-256-1564, 844-987-4628. Same-day or next-business-day scheduling if received by 7:00 a.m.; later requests within the next two business days..
last verified April 2026
source Mesa County Building Department for building permits; Town of Palisade Community Development and Planning for local planning clearance ↗
entry id permits/colorado/mesa/palisade
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Mesa County Building Department for building permits; Town of Palisade Community Development and Planning for local planning clearance before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.