El Paso County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

PPRBD serves El Paso County for building permits in unincorporated areas. County separately administers land use, development applications through EDARP, code enforcement, and county-level permitting (floodplain, right-of-way, other county approvals).

Department

Pikes Peak Regional Building Department for building permits and inspections; El Paso County Planning and Community Development for county land use, code enforcement, and development applications

Address

PPRBD: 2880 International Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80910; County Planning: 2880 International Circle, Suite 110, Colorado Springs, CO 80910

Phone

PPRBD: 719-327-2880; Permits: 719-327-2883; County Planning: 719-520-6300

Email

PPRBD: https://www.pprbd.org/Information/Email?To=planreviewtriage , County: plnweb@elpasoco.com

Website

https://www.pprbd.org/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether project is in unincorporated El Paso County and whether county development approvals needed.
2. Use El Paso County Planning and EDARP for county development applications, early meetings, complaints, and land development review.
3. Submit building permit applications and plans to PPRBD; plan-reviewed projects move through electronic plan process.
4. Complete county permits for floodplain, land disturbance, right-of-way, access, onsite wastewater, or other county-controlled issues.
5. Pay PPRBD permit fees and county fees for county review or permits.
6. Once permit issued, keep legal permit and approved plans on site and schedule inspections through PPRBD.
7. Obtain final inspections and county-side signoff before occupancy.

Typical processing time: No general countywide building permit timeline found on county public-facing pages.

Source: Pikes Peak Regional Building Department for building permits and inspections; El Paso County Planning and Community Development for county land use, code enforcement, and development applications

General Requirements

PPRBD requires permits before starting most building, structural, electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work. County approvals also required for grading, floodplain, access, land use, or other site development in unincorporated areas.

Required Documents

• PPRBD permit forms and project plans as required by scope
• County application materials for separate county permits or development approvals
• EDARP documents for development applications

Permit validity

Under PPRBC RBC105.8, administratively closed if no inspection within 6 months; one extension to 180 days if requested before expiration; void if no inspection within 1 year or work abandoned for 1 year.

Building code

El Paso County participates in 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code. Appendix C contains county-specific modifications for unincorporated areas.

Owner-builder

PPRBD permits available only for applicant's primary residence owned and occupied by applicant.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must be licensed or registered with PPRBD. Plumbing, electrical, escalator, and elevator contractors licensed by Colorado but must register with PPRBD.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50

Plan check fee

PPRBD plan examination 28% of building permit fee; $100/hour for additional review after second disapproval

Permit fee formula

PPRBD uses Table A valuation-based building permit fees plus flat fees for certain residential and trade permits. Separate county fees may apply for development and right-of-way.

Reinspection fee

$50 first, $100 second, $200 third plus 2-day delay; $100/hour outside normal hours (2-hour minimum)

Penalty (no permit)

Work without permit: 2 times the permit fee

Payment note

PPRBD web accounts support online payments and stored payment methods. County-side payment procedures vary by permit type; not consolidated into one page.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Current).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting surcharge
• Flatwork, walks, driveways within regional exemption threshold
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops
• Swings and playground equipment
• Portable heating, ventilation, cooking, or drying appliances
• Minor plumbing fixture removal/reinstallation without piping rearrangement
• Certain agricultural buildings and certain non-public non-residential buildings in A-35 district when approved

Inspections

How to Schedule

• PPRBD web account (online)
• 719-327-2880 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Same-day requests made weekdays from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM

Inspection hours

Estimated arrival after 9:00 AM

Typical inspection sequence: Project-specific sequences usually include footing, foundation, framing, insulation, rough plumbing, rough mechanical, rough electrical, lath, and final inspections. Outside agencies may add zoning, fire, engineering, health, or utilities inspections.

Automated notification available before inspector arrival

Additional Resources

• Building code: El Paso County participates in 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code. Appendix C contains county-specific modifications for unincorporated areas.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• EDARP Portal
• County ROW Permits
• Code Enforcement
• County GIS and Parcel Resources
• PPRBD Permits Page
• PPRBD Fee Schedule
• License lookup guide: Colorado Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Colorado Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Colorado hub: Colorado Contractor License & Permit Hub