Routt County, CO - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Routt County

Department

Address

Routt County Courthouse Annex, 136 6th St. Suite 201, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

Phone

970-870-5566

Email

building@co.routt.co.us

Website

https://www.co.routt.co.us/118/Building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create a CityView account and select the Routt County portal.
2. Submit the permit application online with electronic plans and required attachments.
3. County distributes the submittal to Building, Planning/Zoning, Public Works, Environmental Health, Fire, GIS, and utilities as needed.
4. Plan review occurs by permit type and complexity.
5. Respond to correction comments and resubmit electronically if needed.
6. Permit is issued after all department reviews are complete and fees are paid.

Source:

General Requirements

Building code

Routt County Adopted Building Code Resolution, ICC 2021 editions.

Owner-builder

property owners may act as permit applicant only for a primary dwelling and limited residential work; they are not allowed to act as applicant for commercial buildings or secondary dwellings unless they qualify as the appropriate contractor. Condominium owners have a narrow allowance for limited interior work that does not affect structure or fire integrity.

Contractor requirements

county contractor certification or ICC certification is required for permit applicants, with state-licensed electricians and plumbers exempt from county certification rules for their trades. Colorado-licensed architects/engineers may also qualify as permit applicants with insurance and responsibility requirements.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$55 base permit fee at the lowest valuation tier

Plan check fee

sprinkler, alarm, hood, and BDA plan check fees are 72% of the permit fee, calculated on the base plus additional permit fees

Permit fee formula

valuation-based table; example published tiers include $1.00 to $2,000 at $55 base plus $0 per additional $1,000, then higher tiers scale upward by valuation

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures 120 square feet or less, if no water, sanitary, or gas connections and only electrical lights or outlets with no permanent service panel
• Fences not over 6 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high, unless supporting a surcharge
• Water tanks on grade under 5,000 gallons with height-to-width limits
• Sidewalks and driveways
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
• Swings and other playground equipment
• Window awnings under the listed projection limit
• Small decks under 200 square feet and under 30 inches above grade, subject to the listed conditions
• Minor substrate removal under the 96 square foot threshold for limited repair access, with trade permits still required when exemptions are not met

Inspections

How to Schedule

• online through the Routt County inspection portal in CityView (online)

reinspection is charged at $80 per hour in the fee schedule

Additional Resources

• Building code: Routt County Adopted Building Code Resolution, ICC 2021 editions.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• County permit/process page
• Work exempt from permits PDF
• License lookup guide: Colorado Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Colorado Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Colorado hub: Colorado Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Routt County Building Permit FAQ

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Routt County, CO?

The minimum permit fee is $55 base permit fee at the lowest valuation tier. Fees are calculated as: valuation-based table; example published tiers include $1.00 to $2,000 at $55 base plus $0 per additional $1,000, then higher tiers scale upward by valuation. Plan check fee: sprinkler, alarm, hood, and BDA plan check fees are 72% of the permit fee, calculated on the base plus additional permit fees.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Routt County, CO?

1. Create a CityView account and select the Routt County portal. 2. Submit the permit application online with electronic plans and required attachments. 3. County distributes the submittal to Building, Planning/Zoning, Public Works, Environmental Health, Fire, GIS, and utilities as needed. 4. Plan review occurs by permit type and complexity. 5. Respond to correction comments and resubmit electronically if needed. 6. Permit is issued after all department reviews are complete and fees are paid.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Routt County, CO?

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures 120 square feet or less, if no water, sanitary, or gas connections and only electrical lights or outlets with no permanent service panel; Fences not over 6 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high, unless supporting a surcharge; Water tanks on grade under 5,000 gallons with height-to-width limits; Sidewalks and driveways; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Swings and other playground equipment; Window awnings under the listed projection limit; Small decks under 200 square feet and under 30 inches above grade, subject to the listed conditions; Minor substrate removal under the 96 square foot threshold for limited repair access, with trade permits still required when exemptions are not met.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Routt County, CO?

Inspections can be scheduled via: online through the Routt County inspection portal in CityView.