On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for San Miguel County
county code says no person may erect, construct, reconstruct, excavate for a foundation, alter, or change use of a building or structure without a building permit or exemption from the Building Department.
Published county text states building permits are not required in the West End Zone District for building work, except for certain uses identified in later code text such as large and medium scale solar energy systems, data centers, and mining-related structures not otherwise regulated by the state.
County FAQ also notes development permits are not required in the West End Zone District, though other permits may still apply.
- Exempt Published county text states building permits are not required in the West End Zone District for building work, except for certain uses identified in later code text such as large and medium scale solar energy systems, data centers, and mining-related structures not otherwise regulated by the state.
- Exempt County FAQ also notes development permits are not required in the West End Zone District, though other permits may still apply.
Required documents
- county application instructions reference complete development permit application materials, SmartGov submittal, owner authorization if someone else signs, and project-specific planning, OWTS, and road and bridge documents where applicable.
- Building code
- 2018 International Codes, adopted by Resolution 2023-01, with county amendments; county also publishes 2018 IWUIC ignition resistant material requirements.
- Owner-builder
- the county requires owner authorization if the applicant is not the owner of the property.
- Contractor requirements
- state electrical and plumbing permits are required separately by Colorado for electrical, plumbing, and gas piping work. County notes that other agencies may require their own inspections.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: county says to allow up to 8 weeks for permit and review process to be completed.
- 01 Determine whether the project is in unincorporated county or inside a town. County staff notes the first contact is often Planning, but project sequencing can vary.
- 02 Create a SmartGov account and start the appropriate permit type in the public portal.
- 03 Submit the permit packet and any required supporting documents.
- 04 County staff reviews the submittal for completeness.
- 05 County begins plan review once the packet is complete.
- 06 County issues plan notes if revisions or additional information are needed.
- 07 After code compliance review is complete, the county prepares the permit for issuance and the applicant is contacted to pick up and pay for it.
- 08 After issuance, inspections are scheduled in SmartGov or by county instructions.
Typical processing time: county says to allow up to 8 weeks for permit and review process to be completed.
§ 04
Fee schedule
San Miguel County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$26.32
02
Plan check fee
65 percent of the building permit fee
03
Permit fee formula
valuation based fee schedule. Examples published by county include:
04
Reinspection fee
reinspection fee is $90.00 per hour, two-hour minimum; inspections without a specific fee are $90.00 per hour; additional plan review due to changes is $150.00 per hour
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- SmartGov and county instructions; the county also publishes an inspection request form and phone-based scheduling requir (online)
- Inspection hours
- inspections are performed Monday through Thursday; call by 5:00 p.m. the day before the inspection
Typical sequence: provide requester name and phone, permit number, owner legal name, address, requested day/date, AM or PM, type of inspection, and whether full or partial inspection is requested
cancel ASAP if needed; provide gate codes, plan location, and onsite contact information; coordinate other agency inspections separately, including state electrical and plumbing inspectors, road and bridge, health, and fire
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated San Miguel County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated San Miguel County, CO? ▸
county code says no person may erect, construct, reconstruct, excavate for a foundation, alter, or change use of a building or structure without a building permit or exemption from the Building Department.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated San Miguel County, CO? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated San Miguel County, CO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $26.32. Fees are calculated as: valuation based fee schedule. Examples published by county include:. Plan check fee: 65 percent of the building permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated San Miguel County, CO? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated San Miguel County, CO, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project is in unincorporated county or inside a town. County staff notes the first contact is often Planning, but project sequencing can vary. 2. Create a SmartGov account and start the appropriate permit type in the public portal. 3. Submit the permit packet and any required supporting documents. 4. County staff reviews the submittal for completeness. 5. County begins plan review once the packet is complete. 6. County issues plan notes if revisions or additional information are needed. 7. After code compliance review is complete, the county prepares the permit for issuance and the applicant is contacted to pick up and pay for it. 8. After issuance, inspections are scheduled in SmartGov or by county instructions.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated San Miguel County, CO? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated San Miguel County, CO typically run county says to allow up to 8 weeks for permit and review process to be completed.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated San Miguel County, CO? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated San Miguel County, CO. The following work is generally exempt: Published county text states building permits are not required in the West End Zone District for building work, except for certain uses identified in later code text such as large and medium scale solar energy systems, data centers, and mining-related structures not otherwise regulated by the state.; County FAQ also notes development permits are not required in the West End Zone District, though other permits may still apply.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated San Miguel County, CO? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated San Miguel County, CO via: SmartGov and county instructions; the county also publishes an inspection request form and phone-based scheduling requir.
last verified April 2026
source San Miguel County Building Department ↗
entry id permits/colorado/san-miguel/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with San Miguel County Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.