Administrative overview · FIPS 08111
San Juan 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
San Juan County Building Division (shared building official with the Town of Silverton)
For a project in or near San Juan 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
Building inspections/information: (970) 946-9031; Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Bevan Harris: (970) 880-0387 direct; Town office (970) 387-5522; fax (970) 387-9920.
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
San Juan County Courthouse, 1557 Greene Street, Silverton, CO 81433; mailing P.O. Box 466, Silverton, CO 81433.
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM; County offices close 12:00 PM-1:00 PM for lunch. Building inspection availability is scheduled by phone.
Review expectation
N/A; no standard plan-review or issuance timeline was published. New houses and major additions have a two-year permit expiration, with extensions potentially available for additional fees.
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 San Juan County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
San Juan County Building Division (shared building official with the Town of Silverton) 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 Building inspections/information: (970) 946-9031; Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Bevan Harris: (970) 880-0387 direct; Town office (970) 387-5522; fax (970) 387-9920..
How long might review take?
N/A; no standard plan-review or issuance timeline was published. New houses and major additions have a two-year permit expiration, with extensions potentially available for additional fees.
How are inspections scheduled?
Call (970) 946-9031 or the inspector at (970) 880-0387 with the permit number, legal description, job address, inspection type, permit name, and approximate requested time. A minimum of 24 hours advance notice is required. Required stages include footings, stem walls/slabs, rough trades and framing, sheathing, insulation, drywall fastening, final trade inspections, and final occupancy compliance inspection.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
The official Building Department Requirements identify the 2015 IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, and IFC for the Town of Silverton/San Juan County building program, together with the latest National Electrical Code and Plumbing Code adopted by Colorado. Local requirements include 42-inch footing depth, 110-pound snow load (120 pounds above 10,000 feet), 110 MPH wind load, Seismic Design Category C, and specified insulation/roofing requirements; applicants must confirm later amendments with the Building Department. Improvement permits are required before building for projects over $2,000 including labor and materials or projects involving structural alterations. One-story detached accessory structures may be exempt depending on use and square footage, but the Building Official must be notified. No broad cosmetic-work exemption list was published; State electrical and commercial plumbing permits remain separately required where applicable.