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1. What requires a permit? (Residential Construction)

The following projects require permits for Residential Buildings:

• Converting a garage into living space
• Building a detached garage
• Finishing a basement
• Remodeling a house
• Fences (new and replacement)
• Furnaces (new and replacement)
• Wood burning stoves and pellet stoves
• Replacing or going over old drywall with new drywall
• A/C and Mini Splits
• Roofing (new and replacement)
• Sheds over 200 square feet
• Siding (new and replacement)
• Windows (new and replacement)
• Decks (new and replacement)
• Covered porches and Gazebos
• Exterior doors (new and replacement)
• Demolition
• Carports
• Swimming pools
• Prefabricated swimming pools that are over 24 inches deep

Contact

This is not a complete list of projects that require a permit. If you’re not sure your project requires a permit, please call the Building Department at (719) 276-5253.

2. Do we need a permit for electrical or plumbing?

Code requirements for electric and plumbing are maintained by the State of Colorado. View the contact information for the Colorado State Plumbing or Colorado State Electrical.

3. What you can build without a permit? (Residential Construction)

• One story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet.
• Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
• Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work.
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
• Sidewalks and driveways.
• Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches (610mm) deep.
• Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purpose and not including service systems.
• Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4.

All non-listed building projects are subject to have a building permit required. Please contact the Cañon City Building Department at (719) 276-5253 with any questions regarding permit requirements.

4. What if I'm not sure if my contractor is licensed?

We post all active licensed contractors every quarter. View the Contractor Information page for the most current list. If you do not see your contractor on the list, please call the Building Department at (719) 276-5253 and we will check if they are licensed or not.