Building Permits
A building permit is required for new construction of residential dwellings and commercial buildings as well as any time there is an addition, alteration, repair or conversion to the main structure or an accessory structure.
A building permit is required for:
- All new buildings
- Commercial tenant finish
- Building additions including decks, patios, patio covers, and garages
- Mobile home setup
- Basement finish
- Replacement windows
- Siding
- Reroofs (including one square (100 sq. ft.) or more of roof cover
- Installing new drywall
- Sheds over 120 sq. ft.
- Fences
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing systems
- HVAC – furnace, air conditioners, evaporative coolers, and water heaters
- Installing signage
- Demolishing a structure
If you have any questions about whether a permit is needed, contact the Building Department at 303-665-5588 ext. 3331.
Homeowner as Contractor
As a homeowner you may obtain a building permit to work on your own property without a contractor’s license. However, if you employ subcontractors for all or part of the work, they must be licensed by the City of Lafayette to perform such work. A building permit will not be issued to a homeowner for work performed by unlicensed contractors. Although homeowners may obtain permits to perform work on their primary residences, they cannot obtain a homeowners permit for rental property.
How to Apply for a Building Permit
You may obtain a building permit application from the Building Department or by downloading a PDF version. Submittal requirements will depend upon the complexity of the project but typically will include two sets of plans and two plot plans. Three sets of plans are required for Residential Additions, New Single-Family, New Multi-Family, New Accessory Dwelling, and New Commercial Buildings.
Plan sizes:
Residential Remodel Plans - no larger than 11” x 17”
Commercial Tenant Finish Plans - no larger than 24" x 36"
New Single-Family and Multi-Family - no larger than 24" x 36"
Accessory Dwelling Units - no larger than 24" x 36"
New Commercial Buildings - no larger than 24" x 36".
For more requirements see the
New Residential Building Permit Checklist
New Commercial Building Checklist.
Roofing Code Information/Checklist
Application Processing
The Building Department tries to issue your permit as soon as possible. Allow 3 to 4 working days for small projects such as HVAC, reroof, decks and basement finishes. Allow one week for commercial tenant finish plan, signs, residential additions, garages, and corner lot fences.
Allow three (3) )weeks for new residential house, duplex, multi-family buildings, and new commercial buildings.
Fee
The building permit fee, which is based on the estimated value of the work being done, is payable when the permit is issued. Make checks payable to the City of Lafayette. The City also accepts Visa and MasterCard at the time of payment--must be in person. The City does not accept credit cards over the fax or phone at this time.
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