Town of Palisade, COLORADO Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Mesa County's Building Department page expressly says it performs permitting and inspections for Palisade. Palisade separately regulates land use through its Land Development Code and planning clearance process, so applicants generally need town planning approval before the county building permit can issue.

Department

Mesa County Building Department for building permits; Town of Palisade Community Development and Planning for local planning clearance

Address

Mesa County Building Department, 200 South Spruce Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501; Town of Palisade, 175 East 3rd Street, Palisade, CO 81526

Phone

Mesa County 970-244-1631; Town of Palisade 970-464-5602

Email

mccomdev@mesacounty.us

Website

https://www.mesacounty.us/departments-and-services/community-development/building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the project triggers Palisade planning clearance under Section 4.08 of the Town Land Development Code.
2. Submit for Palisade planning clearance concurrently with the building permit when a building permit is required; Palisade's code states no building permit or certificate of occupancy may issue until required site plan or planning approvals are granted.
3. Create or use a Mesa County Customer Portal account and submit the building permit application with town planning clearance and the county checklist documents.
4. Respond to county and review-agency comments, then pay fees when approved.
5. Obtain permit issuance from Mesa County and schedule inspections through the county portal, phone, or text.

Typical processing time: No public standard review-time estimate found.

Source: Mesa County Building Department for building permits; Town of Palisade Community Development and Planning for local planning clearance

General Requirements

Palisade LDC Section 4.08 says it is unlawful to undertake land-disturbing activity until the Community Development Director issues a planning clearance permit. Where a building permit is required the planning clearance application must be made concurrently.

Required Documents

• Palisade planning clearance
• Any required site plan materials under the town LDC
• Mesa County permit application
• Checklist materials
• Plans
• Assessor form and floor plan where required
• Sewer or septic clearance
• Fire clearance where applicable

Permit validity

Palisade site plan and conditional use approvals generally expire after three years unless pursued as described in the LDC. Mesa County building permits become null and void if the project is not commenced and progress verified by an inspector every 180 days.

Building code

Building permit code administration is through Mesa County's adopted 2024 code package. Palisade separately adopts and administers its own Land Development Code for zoning and planning review.

Owner-builder

Mesa County inspection notice allows a residential homeowner to perform electrical and plumbing work; otherwise those trades must be performed by persons licensed by the State of Colorado.

Contractor requirements

Mesa County says contractor licensing is only required in Grand Junction city limits, not countywide. State plumbing and electrical licensing still applies. Palisade's fee schedule separately states building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permit fees are per Mesa County Building Department.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Town planning clearance basic $10.00; Mesa County building permit minimum $50.00

Plan check fee

Building plan review follows Mesa County's fee schedule; Palisade fee schedule does not publish a separate town plan-check percentage for Mesa County-issued building permits.

Permit fee formula

Palisade planning clearances are flat fees; building permits are valuation-based under the Mesa County building fee schedule.

Reinspection fee

Mesa County building reinspection fees apply

Payment note

Expect separate town planning-clearance fees and Mesa County building permit fees when both approvals are required.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Temporary uses under the Palisade LDC do not require planning clearance
• Fences under 7 feet
• Retaining walls under 4 feet
• Finish work
• Small accessory structures within published thresholds
• Certain reroof overlays
• Low-profile decks

Important: Building permit exemptions follow the Mesa County administered building code and county exemption list for Palisade projects.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Mesa County Customer Portal (online)
• 970-256-1564 (phone)
• 844-987-4628 (text)

Scheduling deadline

Same-day or next-business-day scheduling if received by 7:00 a.m.; later requests within the next two business days.

Typical inspection sequence: County building and trade inspection sequence generally runs footing or foundation, framing, rough trade inspections, insulation, specialty inspections as needed, and final.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Building permit code administration is through Mesa County's adopted 2024 code package. Palisade separately adopts and administers its own Land Development Code for zoning and planning review.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Town of Palisade
• Land Development Code
• Mesa County Building Department
• Customer Portal
• License lookup guide: Colorado Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Colorado Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Colorado hub: Colorado Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Mesa County