Administrative overview · FIPS 08031
Denver County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
City and County of Denver Community Planning and Development
For a project in or near Denver County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
CPD: (720) 865-2700; e-permits/building and zoning intake: (720) 865-2720
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Webb Municipal Building, 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 205, Denver, CO 80202; CPD is on the 2nd floor
Operating hours
CPD phone line and e-permits/building-zoning intake: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; contractor licensing: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., closed noon-1:00 p.m.
Review expectation
Denver publishes project-dependent targets and rolling 90-day averages. ADMIN 131A target dates include 2 business days for intake, 20 business days for a major commercial initial review, 10 business days for intermediate commercial or residential initial review, and 2 business days for express reviews; resubmittals generally range from 2-10 business days. Quick permits issued after the prerequisite residential permit is issued can be issued immediately or likely the same day.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Denver County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
City and County of Denver Community Planning and Development is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact CPD: (720) 865-2700; e-permits/building and zoning intake: (720) 865-2720.
How long might review take?
Denver publishes project-dependent targets and rolling 90-day averages. ADMIN 131A target dates include 2 business days for intake, 20 business days for a major commercial initial review, 10 business days for intermediate commercial or residential initial review, and 2 business days for express reviews; resubmittals generally range from 2-10 business days. Quick permits issued after the prerequisite residential permit is issued can be issued immediately or likely the same day.
How are inspections scheduled?
After a permit is issued, schedule inspections through Denver e-permits using the permit number or site address; the portal also provides inspector ETA and results. Most construction projects require a pre-construction meeting, and Denver states inspections are completed within 2 business days. CPD e-permits/building intake: (720) 865-2720.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
2025 Denver Building and Fire Codes, effective December 31, 2025, incorporating the 2024 I-Codes except the Energy Code, which incorporates the 2021 IECC. Projects submitted on or before December 31, 2025 may use either the 2025 or 2022 Denver Building and Fire Codes. Denver requires permits for most construction, alteration, or repair work on private property. The official Quick Permits page directs applicants to Denver Building and Fire Code Section 130.3 for exempted work; it also identifies limited trade-specific quick permits, such as certain roofing/siding, boiler and commercial A/C, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work. Structural work generally cannot use the quick-permit process, and project-specific zoning, wastewater, fire, landmark, or right-of-way approvals may still apply.