County Building Permits
Washington County, CO - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, Colorado. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated portion of Washington County for buildings, structures, and changes in land use
- Department
- Washington County Planning and Zoning, Washington County Land Use Office
- Address
- Second Floor Courthouse, 150 Ash Avenue, Akron, CO 80720
- Phone
- (970) 345-2701 ext. 234
Application Process
Source: Washington County Planning and Zoning, Washington County Land Use Office
General Requirements
residences, all categories including mobile/manufactured homes, outbuildings, grain bins, garages, room additions, decks with attached roofs, screened porches, and special use development permits for certain livestock operations
Required Documents
- building permit application, legal description, access road/highway, class of work, construction materials, building type, lot size, sewer and water source, and plot plan or equivalent site information
- Building code
- The county permit form states that Washington County does not have a building code ordinance and that the applicant is responsible for ensuring uniform building codes and current state standards are followed
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $100 building permit fee for most buildings; $100 county permit fee for mobile/manufactured homes
- Permit fee formula
- General permit fee form shows use tax as 1.5 percent of 48 percent of total building value
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- The county materials reviewed did not publish a clear exempt-work list
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: apply, county processing, inspection by county building inspector, then occupancy or insignia steps for manufactured housing
Additional Resources
- Building code: The county permit form states that Washington County does not have a building code ordinance and that the applicant is responsible for ensuring uniform building codes and current state standards are followed
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Home
- Building permit form
- Mobile/manufactured home permit
- 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 Washington County Planning and Zoning, Washington County Land Use Office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washington County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, CO?
- residences, all categories including mobile/manufactured homes, outbuildings, grain bins, garages, room additions, decks with attached roofs, screened porches, and special use development permits for certain livestock operations
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Washington County, CO?
- The minimum permit fee is $100 building permit fee for most buildings; $100 county permit fee for mobile/manufactured homes. Fees are calculated as: General permit fee form shows use tax as 1.5 percent of 48 percent of total building value.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Washington County, CO?
- The following work is generally exempt: The county materials reviewed did not publish a clear exempt-work list.
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