Lafayette, COLORADO Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within Lafayette city limits only.

Department

City of Lafayette Building Division

Address

1290 S. Public Rd., Lafayette, CO 80026

Phone

303-661-1451

Email

buildingpermits@lafayetteco.gov

Website

https://www.lafayetteco.gov/111/Building-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Review the Building Division page, code information, and MyGov instructions.
2. Create or access a MyGov account and apply for the correct permit type.
3. Upload the application, plans, and supporting documents, or submit a revision through the same workflow.
4. Respond to plan review comments and pay permit invoice and use tax when billed.
5. Print issued permit documents and keep them available on site.
6. Request inspections through the city process until final approval.

Typical processing time: Not clearly published as a general turnaround chart on the pages reviewed.

Source: City of Lafayette Building Division

General Requirements

Lafayette Building Division reviews and issues permits for regulated building work and related inspections.

Required Documents

• Application
• Plans
• Valuation
• Contractor information
• Permit-type supporting forms
• Right-of-way permit is separately required for construction dumpsters on streets

Permit validity

Not clearly summarized on the public landing pages reviewed.

Building code

2021 I-Code package and 2023 NEC effective August 1, 2023.

Owner-builder

Homeowner permit applicants must sign the city Homeowner Agreement; homeowners may act as their own general contractor if doing the general and or mechanical work themselves.

Contractor requirements

City contractor license required; application and renewal are handled by the Building Division and MyGov; state plumbing and electrical licensure still applies.

Fees

Plan check fee

Included within building permit review fee schedules

Permit fee formula

Building permit review fees are valuation-based; Lafayette also collects city use tax and Boulder County use tax on permit invoices.

Payment note

Permit invoice and construction use tax are paid through city billing and permit workflows; use tax deposit information is published separately.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective January 1, 2026).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached non-habitable accessory structures under 120 square feet
• Fences not over 4 feet high, plus posthole-dug fences up to 8 feet in listed materials
• Retaining walls under 3 feet unless supporting surcharge or impounding listed liquids
• Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons within code ratio limits
• Sidewalks and driveways not over 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a story below or part of an accessible route
• Painting, papering, flooring, tiling, countertops, and similar finish work

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Request a Building Inspection through the city portal (online)

Inspection hours

Not clearly published on the landing page reviewed

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, staged building and trade inspections, then final inspection

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 I-Code package and 2023 NEC effective August 1, 2023.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• 2023 Lafayette Colorado Building Code Final
• Construction Use Tax
• License lookup guide: Colorado Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Colorado Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Colorado hub: Colorado Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Boulder County