Building permits ensure that alterations are done right and do not inadvertently endanger occupants or the general public. Once you have a zoning use permit, you will need building permits to convert an existing building — particularly buildings that have never been permitted for residential uses — into livable space. See "change of occupancy" below for more information.
Building permits are not required to install battery-powered smoke detectors or for most minor projects that are cosmetic in nature such as painting, laying floor tile, or changing faucets or fixtures. Building permits are required for any remodeling work, such as building a loft, putting in new walls, adding or removing stairs, changing electrical wiring, creating new exterior openings, or anything affecting the integrity of the building’s structure.
Not sure if your project will need a building permit? Check Section 130.3 "Exempted Work" of the Denver Building & Fire Code.
What building permits you need ultimately depends on the nature of the existing building, its current use and your desired new use. In some cases, you may need to have a structural engineer assess the condition of the building.
Change of Occupancy
All buildings are classified by an occupancy category found in the building code. Buildings must be provided with structural and life-safety elements for that particular use, purpose or level of activity. When the occupancy of a space changes (e.g., goes from warehouse/storage to residential), the building design must be reevaluated for the new use(s) and will likely require upgrades to fire safety, electrical and/or plumbing systems.
In order to begin construction for a change of occupancy, you must submit building plans and obtain a building permit. When your construction work is complete, a city inspector will inspect the work, and the city will issue a new certificate of occupancy that allows your desired uses.
Even if you plan on no remodeling work, you will need to obtain both zoning and building permits to change the occupancy of something like a warehouse to a multi-unit dwelling or live/work dwelling. This means submitting as-built plans of the building including a site plan, floor plan(s) and the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Work may be required upon review of the building and its existing systems.
Applying for Building Permits
Building permit applications require information about a structure, such as its floor plans, structural system, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, of sufficient clarity to show in detail that the building, structure, or utility conforms to the provisions in the Denver Building Code. Community Planning and Development has created guides to help prepare applicants for the information that will be requested during the review process.
A building permit application must include an electronic plan submittal showing what you intend to build and how it will be constructed and occupied. Plans must be drawn to scale, and must be digitally signed and sealed by the Colorado registered design professional (architect or engineer) who prepared the drawings, unless the project is for a single-family home or duplex.
If, as part of your business, you plan to use welding equipment or other tools with an unusually high electrical load, or specialized, propane gas-fired equipment or other hazardous/toxic materials, please provide this information on the building plans you submit.
Who can apply for building permits? In Denver, only a contractor with a valid license for the type of work on the application can pick up commercial construction permits, and only a licensed contractor or the owner-occupier of a detached, single-family home can pick up residential construction permits. A building owner or owner's agent is allowed to get a permit to establish a new Certificate of Occupancy when no construction work is to be done.
Depending on the scope of work, you will likely need licensed contractors to obtain permits for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work in addition to the main building permit.
Fees
Building permit fees are charged based on the estimated "valuation" of your project — valuation is the cost of materials, labor, overhead, and profit.