County Building Permits
San Juan County, CO - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated San Juan County, Colorado. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated San Juan County. The same county building inspector also serves the Town of Silverton.
- Department
- San Juan County Building Department / Building and Planning
- Address
- 1557 Greene Street, PO Box 466, Silverton, CO 81433
- Phone
- 970-946-9031 for information and inspections
- bharris@silverton.co.us
Application Process
- Confirm the work is in unincorporated San Juan County.
- Use the county building page and forms package.
- Prepare the permit application, plot plan, and plans.
- Submit the application and plans to the county building office.
- County reviews the application and any plan set.
- Pay the permit fee.
- Permit is issued after review approval.
- Post permit and schedule inspections.
General Requirements
Improvement permits are required before any building is allowed in the county. The county states permits are required for any project more than $2000 including labor and materials, and for projects that require structural alterations.
Required Documents
- Identification of work, plot plan with address and setbacks, use of property, one or two sets of print plans and digital plans, including 4 elevations for new construction and 2 elevations for additions.
- Building code
- The county requirement sheet states the Town of Silverton uses the 2015 IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IFC, and the latest National Electric Code and Plumbing Code adopted by the State of Colorado. The county page does not separately state a newer county code cycle.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors need a letter of authority from the property owner if they are signing the permit. Plumbing and electrical permits are state permits.
Fees
- Plan check fee
- Commercial 65 percent of building permit fee; residential 50 percent of building permit fee
- Permit fee formula
- Fees are based on total valuation of the project, including labor and materials
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- The public requirements page does note that one-story detached accessory structures are dependent on use and square footage and require notification to the Building Official
- State-licensed plumbing and electrical trade work is handled through Colorado state permits, not county building permits
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Call 970-946-9031 for information or to schedule inspections (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Footers, stem walls and slabs, rough-in electrical and plumbing, framing, sheathing fasteners, insulation, sheet rock nail or screw, final electrical and plumbing, and final compliance for occupancy
Additional Resources
- Building code: The county requirement sheet states the Town of Silverton uses the 2015 IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IFC, and the latest National Electric Code and Plumbing Code adopted by the State of Colorado. The county page does not separately state a newer county code cycle.
- Zoning / land use URL
- Land Use Code
- Building forms page
- County planning packet
- License lookup guide: Colorado Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Colorado Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Colorado hub: Colorado Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the San Juan County Building Department / Building and Planning before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
San Juan County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated San Juan County, CO?
- Improvement permits are required before any building is allowed in the county. The county states permits are required for any project more than $2000 including labor and materials, and for projects that require structural alterations.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated San Juan County, CO?
- Fees are calculated as: Fees are based on total valuation of the project, including labor and materials. Plan check fee: Commercial 65 percent of building permit fee; residential 50 percent of building permit fee.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated San Juan County, CO?
- 1. Confirm the work is in unincorporated San Juan County. 2. Use the county building page and forms package. 3. Prepare the permit application, plot plan, and plans. 4. Submit the application and plans to the county building office. 5. County reviews the application and any plan set. 6. Pay the permit fee. 7. Permit is issued after review approval. 8. Post permit and schedule inspections.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated San Juan County, CO?
- The following work is generally exempt: The public requirements page does note that one-story detached accessory structures are dependent on use and square footage and require notification to the Building Official; State-licensed plumbing and electrical trade work is handled through Colorado state permits, not county building permits.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated San Juan County, CO?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Call 970-946-9031 for information or to schedule inspections.
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