Residential and Commercial Alterations

Notice of policy change

Beginning on Monday, October 9th, alterations/remodels to multiple units in a multifamily building can be combined into a single permit. Applicants may choose to apply for one permit per unit, or one permit per building. See table below for more information.

Residential and Commercial Alterations#

Yes, most work requires a building permit, but some work is exempt.

Work Exempt from Permit

Can I do the work myself?
- Homeowners may perform work on their primary residence only, if it is a single family detached home.
- Owners of commercial buildings and single-family attached homes may perform work on their buildings if the total amount of work is less than $2,000 and does not include any structural, mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work.
Can I hire someone?
- All contractors and subcontractors hired to perform work must be licensed with the City of Fort Collins for the type work being done. This is verified prior to permit issuance. To confirm that your contractor/subcontractor are licensed and up to date contact: contractor_licensing@fcgov.com

Contractor Licensing

	Description	Contact
Development Review	A development review process may be required *prior to submitting for a building permit* for: New buildings Additions Change of use to land Change of use to buildings	Website: www.fcgov.com/developmentreview Email: drcoord@fcgov.com Phone: 970-221-6689
Poudre Fire Authority (PFA)	PFA is a multi -jurisdictional Fire Department. Separate and additional online submittals are required for most *commercial and multi-family* projects. 1. A submittal will be required for fire code review for all new construction and most commercial tenant finish projects. 2. A separate and additional submittal will be required for any fire systems installations or alterations i.e. sprinkler, fire alarm, hood and duct, etc. 3. When required, City of Fort Collins Building permits will not be issued without PFA issued permits and/or approvals and sign-off.	Website: www.poudre-fire.org/online-services/contractors-plan-reviews-and-permits Phone: 970-416-2892
Larimer County Health Department	Larimer County Health Department is a multi-jurisdictional Health Department. Separate and additional submittals are required for: Food or drink service, preparation, handling, or processing (Bars, Breweries, Distilleries, Restaurants, Commercial Commissary Kitchens, Food Manufacturing/Packaging, Grocery Stores) Daycare Schools Healthcare Facilities Public recreational facilities (Pools) Institutions (Nursing home, Assisted Living, Rehab Centers, Hospitals) Individual sewage disposal systems (septic and potable water wells). When required, City of Fort Collins Building permits will not be issued without LCHD approval.	Website: www.larimer.org/health Email: EH@larimer.org Phone: 970-498-6775
Zoning	Change of use or exterior modifications (including: facade, parking, landscaping, signage, or other changes visible to the public) may require a permit	Website: www.fcgov.com/zoning Email: zoning@fcgov.com Phone: 970-416-2745
Floodplain	Is your building located in a flood plain? Buildings and alterations to buildings located in with a floodplain have specific requirements and limitations.	Website: www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps-documents Email: floodplains@fcgov.com Phone: 970-416-2632
Historic Preservation	Is your building historically designated? Or, need a commercial/multi-family permit for a building over 50 years old? Exterior alterations (including siding and windows) on historically-designated property and commercial/multi-family permits require review by Historic Preservation Services. Check out the incentives available for projects in Fort Collins. Not sure if replacing materials is cheaper than repairing what you have? Check out the cost calculator tool.	Website: www.fcgov.com/historicpreservation Email: preservation@fcgov.com Phone: 970-224-6078

Get info guides and checklists, permit applications, and resources specific to your project type:

Project Info:

Resources:

Plans should be submitted in PDF format only. Each PDF needs to be named correctly.

I've successfully submitted my permit, what happens next? The design, plans and documents submitted will be reviewed.

*****No work can begin until the applicant has received a copy of the building permit and approved plans. (Reviewers add red-lines and conditional comments to the plans that you will need for construction).********

Why Review? Review at the design phase reduces costly re-construction and failed inspections.

Who Reviews? The project is reviewed by many City Departments for compliance with building codes, land use code, zoning, historic, flood plain, and other project specific requirements.

I received an e-mail that a "Resubmittal is Requested," does that mean I have to submit for a new permit?

No, this just means that a reviewer may need additional information, or revised plans/documents. (The permit has not been denied, but corrected documents may need to be re-submitted under the same permit).

How do I resubmit my plans/documents?

Follow the resubmittal instructions in the email you received. New documents should be named v2 (v=version #=round of review).

How long will it take to process a resubmittal?

Resubmittals have priority and are typically assigned a two week max turn around after submitted for building code review. You may contact the building code reviewer directly for questions about their timeline.

screen shot from citizen access showing how to navigate to the workflow and view comments from different departments

Permit Status:

Use the Citizen Portal
Under the Building category, select 'Search permits' (see photo above)
Enter the address, permit number or stock plan number (i.e. B180xxxx or SP0xxxx), scroll down to click on 'Search'
Select the permit/project from the list.
Click 'Record Info' for drop down list of options (top left corner)
Select 'Workflow Tasks'
- No icon = task has not been activated/routed yet (not complete)
- Hourglass = not completed, in process, or additional items are needed from the applicant.
- Green check mark = completed task
Click the grey triangle/arrow next to each task to view holds/comments from each reviewer.

Citizen Access

Building and Zoning Review Times
This chart provides target review dates for Zoning (Land Use Code Compliance review) and Building Code review. For most permit types Zoning (Land Use Code Compliance) will activate and open up the workflow of the permit and start the review time for building and all departments. Target dates are subject to change due to workload. Times are given in calendar days.
Project Type	Zoning Review Time	Building Code Review Time
Egress Windows	0	5
Residential Remodel	7	14
Sales Office (for model homes/ developments) Commercial Remodel (Tenant Finish)	7	21

After the submittal is accepted, an email will be sent to the applicant per the building permit application for payment of the plan check fee and permit activation.

All remaining fees will be paid at time of permit issuance. See below for payment methods and transaction fees.

Payment Method	Permit Fee Range	Transaction Fee
Debit / Credit Card (no amount limit)	$0.00 $2,500	2.00% + $0.25 flat fee
Debit / Credit Card (no amount limit)	$2,500.01 and above	2.75%
eCheck ($150,000 limit)	Any amount up to $150,000	$0.50 flat fee
Check (drop checks in the blue drop box on the Northwest side of the building - 281 N. College Ave. Box is checked several times each business day)	Any amount	Free

Work can start when the applicant has received a copy of the building permit and approved plans. Reviewers add red-lines and conditional comments to the plans that you will need for construction.

How to create an account on Citizen Access

Homeowners: You will receive an e-mail with instructions to link your address to your Citizen Access account.
Contractors: How to link your City of Fort Collins License to your account

How to download the approved plans

Citizen Access Portal

The type and quantity of inspections are project specific.

Example: A new patio cover may have electrical, or may not. If a patio cover does have electrical, then a rough electric and final electric inspection would be needed for that project.

Learn about inspection types and how to schedule them here:

Inspections

What to submit#

1. Download the approved, or the most current document set from citizen access that needs to be revised.

2. Only revise document sets that are being altered/changed.

3. Retain red-line comments/mark-ups that were added by City of Fort Collins if present.

4. Replace, add, or delete sheets where needed in the set.

Replaced and added sheets cannot have working comments from the applicant/design team (new sheets must be flattened)

5. Cloud/bubble/delta and/or clearly indicated what is changing on the new pages.

6. Rename the plan set with the next version number. (view citizen access to see what the next version needs to be. If most current set is v2, then submit as v3).

Name each document correctly: Instructions
- Example: Plans - 1234 Example Street - v3
- Example: Mech Docs - 1234 Example Street - v3
- Example: Site Plan - 1234 Example Street - v3

7. Fill out the Revision Form. Save the form and name re-name it:

Letter - The Project Address – v1 (example: Letter - 1234 Example Street - v1)

9. E-mail revision form and revised documents to to buildingservices@fcgov.com

10. A $50-200 fee will be assessed by plan review based on the revision and project type.

Cloud/Bubble changes on plans#

Applicant/Owner initiated revisions are charged a review fee for changes an applicant/owner chooses to make which are not required by City/jurisdiction codes or standards including changes that differ from the approved set of plans and/or failure to build according to the approved set of plans.

Cost: The cost of an applicant/owner initiated revision is determined at by the complexity of changes from the time of building code approval. Building Plan Review (building code) will verify the level of complexity of the revision (small, medium or large) and assess a fee from the table below at the completion of the review.
Turn-around time: Standard times for building and zoning review are 14 calendar days. Please contact other departments that may be effected by the revisions.

Cost of applicant initiated revisions (post building plan review)
Revision size	Description	Cost
Small	Minor layout revisions (less than 25% of the floor area is affected)Change in window type/size Minor Structural revisions (changing a beam size, connections etc. where 25% or less of the structural design is changing) Solar revisions (wiring/connection changes, panel layout, full solar redesign (adding battery backup interface, automatic transfer switch).	$50
Medium	Significant residential layout changes (more than 25% of the floor area is affected) Change of Energy Path (for new construction or additions) Significant structural revisions (more than 25% of the structural design is changing) Changes to the Mechanical Design (for new construction or additions)	$100
Large	Significant commercial layout changes (more than 25% of the floor area is affected) Commercial Change of occupancy or different tenant Increased Commercial project square footage Change in a new building or addition size or orientation (only when initiated by the applicant).	$200

1. Check the permit status: www.fcgov.com/CitizenAccess

Search permits / Record Info / workflow tasks / click on the small '+' to expand/view individual hold comments.

2. Plan time to send in final documents (some departments have a long lead times).

Project Closeout Guide
- contact list
- lead times
Building docs:
- Name Building Documents Properly: Public Records Naming for Final Docs.

3. All inspections must be passed.

4. All departments/tasks must be signed off.

5. Most projects will receive a Letter of Completion or Certificate of Occupancy which can be downloaded from Citizen Access when the project is fully completed.

6. Uncompleted permits will expire. Expired permits become an open violation on the property.

Permit submittal requirements by project type.#

Type a project name/description into the search box to find submittal information. Search Here:#

Project Type	Requirements	Fees	Submit
Adding dwelling units to an existing house Convert a Single Family House into a Two-Family Duplex or multi-unit building	Find info HERE	Find info HERE	Find info HERE
Graywater Treatment works Graywater systems for toilet flushing.	Graywater Submittal Guide Graywater Design Criteria	Use Calculator Below	Graywater Application
Remodel (Residential) Examples: Kitchen or bathroom alterations and layout changes. Cut-ins for new windows or doors Interior layout changes. Converting a garage, attic, or accessory building to living space Converting a living space to a bedroom	Submit existing and proposed plans. Electronic submittal instructions Homeowner Affidavit Mechanical Design Form and Manual JDS+ Manual JDS (load calcs) required when a completely new or second mechanical system is proposed for primary heat (vs. supplementary heat to an existing system). (Example of a completely new system: furnace and all connected ductwork, mini-split system used for primary heat) Energy Compliance Form If area is to become heated (garage/attic conversion) A Structural Engineer's letter or details may be required for structural work including new beams, and foundation alterations. Construction Waste Management Plan for remodels over 2,500 square feet	Use Calculator Below	E-mail submittal to buildingservices@fcgov.com Building Permit Application
Remodel (Multifamily) Examples: Kitchen or bathroom alterations and layout changes. Converting a living space to a bedroom	Multifamily alteration guide Submit existing and proposed plans for any layout changes. List all units that are within scope on application. A Structural Engineer's letter or stamped plans may be required for structural work. Electronic submittal instructions Construction Waste Management Plan for remodels over 2,500 square feet	Use Calculator Below	E-mail submittal to buildingservices@fcgov.com Building Permit Application
Remodel (Commercial) Alterations Change of function, use, or occupancy. Tenant Finish Vanilla Shell/White Box/Landlord work	Submittal Guide/Checklist (commercial remodel/tenant finish) Change of Occupancy/use Accessibility Upgrades Technical Design Assistance Mini Grant Program for small businesses	Use Calculator Below	E-mail submittal to buildingservices@fcgov.com Tenant Finish/ Commercial Remodel Permit Application
Sales Office in a Model Home Garage or other room being used as a sales office for a housing development that will be converted back to a house when the development is built out.	Submit the following: Floor plan showing accessible entrance and accessible restroom facilities (port-o-let or interior accessible restroom). Heating and Cooling details Insulation details per current code (if office is in garage).	Use Calculator Below	E-mail submittal to buildingservices@fcgov.com Building Permit Application
Window and Door Fenestration Exterior doors (including sliding doors) Window replacements New openings Egress windows Skylights Storefront Overhead doors	Window and Door Fenestration Guide Emergency Escape and Rescue Window Guide A Structural Engineer's letter or details is required for all foundation alterations/cut ins, and for all commercial projects involving structural work. Homeowner Affidavit Owner authorization form	Use Calculator Below	E-mail submittal to buildingservices@fcgov.com Fenestration Permit Application
Can't find what you are looking for?	Fast Track Permits Basement Finish Demolition Electric Fireplace, Fire Pit Lawn Sprinkler, Backflow Preventer Mechanical Mobile Home Set Roofing Water Heater Exterior Permits Awning Carport Deck Egress window Flag Pole Fence Patio Cover Pergola Retaining Wall Sales Trailer Shade Sail Solar Swim Spa, Hot Tub, Swimming Pool, Pond New Construction New accessory building with habitable living space Addition Duplex (two family dwelling) Commercial Building Garage House (single family detached) New Manufactured Home Multi-family Building Pole Barn Shed Single Family Attached (Townhome)

Showing 1 to 17 of 17 entries

Permit Fees#

Use the permit fee calculator below

The calculator is based on the table below:

35% of total fee is paid at time of permit submittal.
The remaining 65% is paid at the time of permit issuance.

Value of residential/commercial alterations	Fee Scale
Valuation up to: $2,000	$105
$25,000	$105 for the first $2k, then $15.5 for each $1k after
$50,000	$461.5 for the first $25k, then $10.5 for each $1k after
$100,000	$724 for the first $50k, then $6.5 for each $1k after
$500,000	$1049 for the first $100k, then $60 for each $10k after
Greater than $500,001	$3449 for the first $500k, then $55 for each $10k after

Fee Type by department	Fee Description
City and County Sales/Use Tax	5.15% on half of the total construction valuation – view Sales Tax website at https://www.fcgov.com/salestax/tax-rates.php See sales tax calculator below
Capital Expansion Fees and Larimer County Regional Road Fees	Based on square footage of a new building or per dwelling unit for residential. https://www.fcgov.com/finance/capitalexpansion.php Community Parkland Neighborhood Parkland Fire General Governmental Services Police Transportation Capital Expansion Fees and Larimer County Regional Road Fees: Fees are based on type of development, new traffic being added to the transportation system, and last approved use for the site. Development categories are defined by the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual, not the International Building and Residential Codes. For a detailed listing of fees, please visit: https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/tcef.php
Water & Sewer Fees:	Plant Investment Fees and Water Rights -- schedules and further information available by contacting a Utility Rate and Fee Specialist: (970) 416-4252 utilityfees@fcgov.com https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/business/builders-and-developers/plant-investment- development-fees
Stormwater Fee:	Plant Investment Fee - For further information contact a Utility Rate and Fee Specialist: (970) 416-4252 utilityfees@fcgov.com https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/business/builders-and-developers/plant-investment- development-fees
Electric Underground Secondary Service Charge:	Single Family Residence Elec. Secondary Service (typical) charges may vary depending on service …$2,054.00 Temporary Pedestal Service - per Single Family Residence (unattached)…$ 330.45 Other development charges may apply. Additional information and electric development fee calculator: https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/business/builders-and-developers/plant-investment- development-fees/electric-development-fee-estimator https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/rates-fees.php Contact Light & Power Engineering at: (970) 221-6700 electricprojectengineering@fcgov.com
Poudre School District Impact Fee (per dwelling unit)	New Single Family Detached, or 2-4 attached dwelling units...$1,710.00 5 or more attached dwelling units...$855.00
Thompson School District Impact Fee (per dwelling unit)	New Single Family Detached, or 2-4 attached dwelling units...$1,382.00 5 or more attached dwelling units...$946.00
Poudre Fire Authority Permit Fees	Fire review and permit fees

Payment Method	Permit Fee Range	Transaction Fee
Debit / Credit Card (no amount limit)	$0.00 $2,500	2.00% + $0.25 flat fee
Debit / Credit Card (no amount limit)	$2,500.01 and above	2.75%
eCheck ($150,000 limit)	Any amount up to $150,000	$0.50 flat fee
Check (drop checks in the blue drop box on the Northwest side of the building - 281 N. College Ave. Box is checked several times each business day)	Any amount	Free

Building Services

Building Services

Notice of policy change