Residential Trade Quick Permit applications for new buildings and additions now require an issued Residential Construction Permit to proceed. This applies to single-family, duplex, and IRC townhomes.
Why is this change being made?
To improve process efficiency and ensure better energy performance in homes.
Before this update, trade permits for residential work – like electrical, plumbing, or mechanical – were handled separately from the overall building permit. Each was issued and inspected on its own, making it harder to see how all the different systems in a home work together and contribute to energy performance.
Because the Denver Energy Code applies to multiple trades and must be verified at different stages by different inspectors, trade permits are now connected to the main Residential Construction Permit.
This change makes it easier for trades contractors to access the approved construction documents and overall project information. It also ensures inspections are better coordinated across trades.
What projects does this change apply to?
This change applies to the following permit types, uses, and class of work:
- Permit types: Boiler and AC, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing quick permits
- Uses: Single-family, duplex, and IRC townhome
- Class of Work: New buildings and additions
There are no changes to the quick permit application process for all other permit types, uses, or class of work.
What is my Class of Work for a quick permit application?
“Class of Work” refers to the entire project, not just the work completed under the trade permit.
You are required to have an issued Residential Construction Permit to complete a quick permit application for single-family, duplex, and IRC townhomes for:
- New Building: Select when the entire building is new construction (DO NOT select for new equipment in an existing building).
- Addition: Select for projects with an extension or increase in floor area, number of stories, or height of the building or structure (e.g. adding a second story or expanding the existing building footprint).
You are not required to have an issued Residential Construction Permit to complete a quick permit application for single-family, duplex, and IRC townhomes for:
- Alteration/Tenant Finish: Select for renovation projects in existing buildings or adding equipment that serves an existing building.
- Repair/Replace: Select if the only project scope is equipment replacement or repair.
How can I find the Residential Construction Permit number for my project?
The Residential Construction (RESCON) permit number uses the format YYYY-RESCON-XXXXXXX. If you are a general contractor, the Residential Construction permit number is included in the automated email sent once all the reviews on the associated Building Log have been approved. You can also find the permit number in e-permits by searching for the Building Log associated with your project and selecting “Related Records” from the Record Info drop down menu. If you are a trade contractor, ask your general contractor for the Residential Construction permit number. When applying for a quick permit covered by this update, entering the project address will allow you to select from a list of current Residential Construction Permits at the property. Step-by-step instructions for this update can be found in this tutorial video.
How will my permit change?
Issued permits for the covered project types will include a new section, Energy. This section is copied from the Residential Construction permit and notes the Denver Energy Code Compliance Path, if the project is an All-Electric Property, and any selected additional efficiency credits that are required for this project. Requirements related to the permit scope must be met before the permit is finaled.
Will this change increase permitting times?
Quick permits covered by this update are still issued without the need for a plan review, so this change will not increase plan review times. You can view our average plan review times on our website.
How long will it take to get my permit?
Quick permits covered by this update are still issued without the need for a plan review. If the Residential Construction permit for the project has already been issued, the quick permit application can be completed, and the permit will be issued immediately. If the Residential Construction permit has not yet been issued, the general contractor will need to add their license to the Residential Construction permit and pay for the permit before the separate trade permit quick permit application can be completed. The quick permit application will be available as soon as the payment is processed on the Residential Construction permit and can likely still be issued that same day. Contact your general contractor to verify if the Residential Construction permit for your project has been issued.
Will this change increase permitting costs?
This change has no impact on permitting costs. The costs for quick permits will remain the same.
What if my project deviates from the approved plans?
Once a permit has been approved and issued, the project must be built to those approved plans. If changes are needed to the approved plans during construction, these changes must be submitted for review and a modified permit will be required. The changed documents and drawings submitted for review after initial permits were issued are called modified drawings. Modified drawings are submitted as a new permit application in e-permits. Choose "Building Log" when prompted to select a permit type.
Where can I get additional support for my project?
For help with e-permits or general permitting questions: