Aspen, CO - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of Aspen municipal limits, including the county seat

Department

City of Aspen Community Development, Building Division

Address

Aspen City Hall, 427 Rio Grande Place, Aspen, CO 81611

Phone

970-920-5000; Building Support: 970-429-2747

Email

permitcoordinators@cityofaspen.com , builderoftheday@cityofaspen.com

Website

https://www.aspen.gov/236/Building-Permit-Process-Payment

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create a permit portal account and upload the permit packet and plans.
2. Building Support performs a completeness review, usually within 1 week.
3. The application enters agency review rounds.
4. Applicants upload responses and resubmittal documents in Salesforce.
5. After all agencies approve, the permit moves to Final Review.
6. The Building Manager completes final review, typically within 1 week.
7. The permit moves to Ready to Issue, fees are paid, and issuance documents are sent by email.
8. After issuance, inspections are scheduled through the portal.

Typical processing time: Aspen publishes current turnaround times as of December 2025.

Source: City of Aspen Community Development, Building Division

General Requirements

Aspen requires a permit for construction, alterations, repairs, additions, changes in occupancy, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work, subject to the adopted code and permit type.

Required Documents

• Permit application packet
• Plans
• Project-specific checklists
• Supporting forms and worksheets as required by project scope

Permit validity

Once issued, projects must be inspected every 180 days before they are considered expired. Applicant must pay issuance fees within 180 days from Ready to Issue or the permit expires.

Building code

Aspen building code references are on the Energy and Building Codes page and code adoption documents in the resource library. Aspen has its own municipal code and current code adoption materials in the building library.

Owner-builder

Homeowner/builders for a single-family residence or accessory building for their own use are exempt from Aspen business and contractor license requirements, but must take a 25-question test, sign an insurance affidavit, and are limited to one new-home permit every two years.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must be licensed. Historic preservation projects require an active Historic Preservation Contractor License.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Aspen fee schedule is valuation and permit-type based. The public fee code shows a minimum schedule with specialized fixed fees and valuation formulas.

Plan check fee

65 percent of total building permit fee.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are based on valuation and permit type. Plan check fees are 65 percent of the building permit fee; energy code fee is 10 percent of the building permit fee; fire plan check fee is 65 percent of sprinkler system valuation.

Reinspection fee

$257.50 per inspection.

Penalty (no permit)

Stop work order or correction notice first infraction is 2 times permit valuation fee. Aspen also notes violations may trigger enforcement fees, citation, license revocation, and other penalties.

Payment note

Building permit extension fee is $128.75 for projects up to $500,000 and $257.50 over $500,000. Certificate of occupancy fee is free. Conditional COs cost $257.50 for the first, $515.00 for the second, and $1,030.00 for the third and subsequent.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Roof patch less than one square, defined as 10 x 10 feet, does not require a permit.
• Interior finishes and fixture removal only is handled by the IFFR permit type and is used as a limited removal permit; reinstall or rebuild requires a regular permit.
• Like-for-like fenestration replacements may qualify for affidavit-based processing.

Important: Aspen also publishes a Projects Typically Exempt from Permit document in the resource library, but the public page does not expose the full list in plain text.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• permit portal (online)

Scheduling deadline

Building inspection requests submitted by 7:30 PM are scheduled for the next business day.

Inspection hours

Projects must be ready and accessible by 9:00 AM on the day of inspection. Inspectors begin routes in the morning; late-day requests may not always be accommodated.

Typical inspection sequence: Permit must be in Issued status before inspection requests can be made.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Aspen building code references are on the Energy and Building Codes page and code adoption documents in the resource library. Aspen has its own municipal code and current code adoption materials in the building library.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Building Document and Resource Library
• Building Permit Timelines
• Permit Portal Support
• Inspections
• License lookup guide: Colorado Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Colorado Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Colorado hub: Colorado Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Aspen Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Aspen, CO?

Aspen requires a permit for construction, alterations, repairs, additions, changes in occupancy, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work, subject to the adopted code and permit type.

How much does a building permit cost in Aspen, CO?

The minimum permit fee is Aspen fee schedule is valuation and permit-type based. The public fee code shows a minimum schedule with specialized fixed fees and valuation formulas.. Fees are calculated as: Building permit fees are based on valuation and permit type. Plan check fees are 65 percent of the building permit fee; energy code fee is 10 percent of the building permit fee; fire plan check fee is 65 percent of sprinkler system valuation.. Plan check fee: 65 percent of total building permit fee..

How do I apply for a building permit in Aspen, CO?

1. Create a permit portal account and upload the permit packet and plans. 2. Building Support performs a completeness review, usually within 1 week. 3. The application enters agency review rounds. 4. Applicants upload responses and resubmittal documents in Salesforce. 5. After all agencies approve, the permit moves to Final Review. 6. The Building Manager completes final review, typically within 1 week. 7. The permit moves to Ready to Issue, fees are paid, and issuance documents are sent by email. 8. After issuance, inspections are scheduled through the portal.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Aspen, CO?

Typical processing time is Aspen publishes current turnaround times as of December 2025..

What work is exempt from building permits in Aspen, CO?

The following work is generally exempt: Roof patch less than one square, defined as 10 x 10 feet, does not require a permit.; Interior finishes and fixture removal only is handled by the IFFR permit type and is used as a limited removal permit; reinstall or rebuild requires a regular permit.; Like-for-like fenestration replacements may qualify for affidavit-based processing.. Note: Aspen also publishes a Projects Typically Exempt from Permit document in the resource library, but the public page does not expose the full list in plain text.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Aspen, CO?

Inspections can be scheduled via: permit portal. Building inspection requests submitted by 7:30 PM are scheduled for the next business day..

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