General Permit Information

The Consequences of Unpermitted Work

A Permit is Required

A building permit is required for:

All commercial construction
New construction
Any addition or alteration in, or to, an existing building or structure

General Electrical Information

For more information on the City of Longmont's

NOTE: this includes all construction, enlargement, alterations, repairs (such as re-roofs), moving, demolition as well as changes to the electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing systems.

Examples:

NEW BUILDINGS: dwellings, garages, carports, all commercial construction.

ADDITIONS: buildings,swimming pools, patios, sunrooms, decks, accessory buildings greater than 120 square feet in area (accessary buildings 120 square feet or less in area must still meet setback requirements).

ALTERATIONS: re-roofing, drywalling, insulating, windows, converting a garage or sunroom to living space, basement finishing, re-siding, retaining walls over 48 inches, fences, etc.
ANY REPAIRS INVOLVING STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
APPLIANCES: fireplace or gas log installation, air conditioners and swamp coolers, hot tubs, water heaters etc.
If you have questions about whether or not a permit is required, contact the Building Inspection Division, Development Services Center, 385 Kimbark St, (303) 651-8332.

Unpermitted Work

The issuance of permits and subsequent inspections of the work performed ensures that all construction in the city is safe and in compliance with the City of Longmont Zoning and Building Codes. The primary purpose of these codes is to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the citizens of Longmont.

CAUTION:

If you do work, or have any work done without obtaining a permit, you could be incurring liability in the event of a fire or accident related to the work. In some circumstances, your insurance could be invalidated.
If you wish to sell your home, potential buyers can check the permit history of your property and demand that unpermitted work be rectified. This is a complex potentially expensive process.

A permit is needed for relocation of the electrical receptacles, gas line and sink. Cabinet installation would not require a permit. All of this work could be covered by one permit and may require only one visit by the inspector.

Homeowner as Contractor

As a homeowner you can act as your own contractor and do the work without a contractor's license on your own property. However, if you subcontract a project, electrical wiring for example, then the subcontractor must be licensed to work in Longmont. You may as a homeowner be issued a permit for subcontracted work; however, you are also responsible for inspections and sign-offs on the permit card.

Permits are reviewed and issued at the Building Inspection Division Office located at 385 Kimbark Street. The office is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday - Friday, except holidays. Smaller projects may be reviewed and permits issued the same day. If the project requires a more extensive review, you will be called when the plans are approved and the building permit is ready to be issued.

If you have questions about whether or not a permit is required, contact the Building Inspection Division, 385 Kimbark St., (303) 651-8332.

Regardless of the complexity of the application, the building permit fee, which is based on the estimated value of the work being done, is payable when the permit is issued. Please make your check payable to the City of Longmont.