What You Need to Know About a Larimer County Building Permit

Remodeling or renovating projects that involve modifying the structure of a house or building requires a . Depending on where you live and what your project entails, you will have to obtain a building permit either from the local municipality or the county. In many states, even projects as simple as building a privacy fence or small shed require a permit.

While many contractors and homeowners choose not to get building permits, it's a very risky gamble that could result in hefty fines. Additionally, if the property is ever sold to someone and they find out no building permit was obtained, you can be sued for unpermitted work. DoNotPay helps you not only save time and money by getting a building permit but helps you avoid legal troubles.

What Exactly Is a Building Permit?

A building permit is a kind of authorization that must be given by a governmental or other regulatory agency before any new construction, renovation, restoration, or structural addition can be done.

According to Larimer County, you will need a building permit to:

Construct a new structure or building including homes, manufactured/modular/mobile homes, garages, and swimming pools.
Repair, alter, add onto, demolish or move any existing structure or building.
Any renovations that include room alterations, kitchen expansions, basement finishes, garage conversions, etc.
Roof repairs over 100 square feet and re-roofing.
Residential and commercial desks that are more than 30" above grade serve or serve as an essential exit.
Fences or walls higher than six feet.
Fireplace or wood stove installations.
Commercial floor plan modifications to use or occupancy.
Adding or replacing air conditioners and heat systems.
Among a long list of other things.

Projects that don't usually need a permit include:

Repainting your house
Adding kitchen cabinets
Replacing certain kitchen appliances
Repaving your driveway
Installing floor coverings
Erecting a small fence

Why Is It Important to Obtain a Building Permit in Larimer County?

Starting a construction project without a valid building permit or before obtaining all necessary inspection approvals violates the International Building Code (IBC) which has been adopted by the Larimer County Building Department. The IBC is a model building code developed by the International Code Council (ICC) and has been adopted as a base code criterion by most jurisdictions in the United States.

According to the Larimer County Building Department, "Changing the occupancy and/or use of a structure, or living in a structure without a valid building permit or Certificate of Occupancy, are also violations of the Building Codes. The problem is that even if you own the property, you can't just start renovating without permission".

Starting construction without a will result in a "Stop Work Order" being issued. Once the "Stop Work Order" has been issued, one should immediately stop all further work. On top of that, Larimer County may require you to pay a fine which is usually twice the cost of the building permit.

You will also have to uncover any work you've completed that is covered so it can be inspected. You have the option of hiring a licensed engineer to confirm the structural integrity of what can't be seen without the need to uncover the work. The additional cost of all of this is 100% the responsibility of the owner.

How to Apply for a Building Permit Easily Without a Hassle in Larimer County Using DoNotPay

Starting your home renovation project can be extremely exciting, but applying for a building permit isn't always easy. The process doesn't just involve filling out forms -- you have to prepare site surveys, interview neighbors, seek HOA approval, have blueprints on hand, and understand the regulations for your zoning district. It can all be quite overwhelming and a lot of bureaucracy just for a small fence.

This is why DoNotPay wants to help make the application process easier, so you can successfully get a building permit and start your renovation with ease. Through our new Planning Permissions product, we'll help you:

check if your project even needs a building permit in the first place
contact any HOAs you're a part of to request building permission
generate a step-by-step guide on how to start and complete your building permit application process

If you want to apply for a building permit quickly without a hassle in Larimer County but don 't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 6 easy steps:

Go to the Planning Permissions product on DoNotPay.
Choose one of the following options:
1. Check whether your project needs a building permit or if it's exempt
2. Generate a permission request letter to send to your HOA
3. Generate a guide on how to complete the building permit application
Choose the focus of your project (new ADU, pool, shed, fence, etc.) and answer a few questions about your plans, including the size of the structure and estimated cost.
Indicate whether you're hiring a contractor and include the estimated start date and timeline for the project.
Indicate whether any public sidewalk/street space will be used during construction.
And that's it! DoNotPay will help guide you through the building permit process by checking if your project needs a building permit, contacting any HOAs you're a part of to request building permission, or generating detailed instructions on how to start and complete your building permit application process.

Are you looking for help with building permits in other areas of the country? Here are other ways DoNotPay can assist you:

How to Get a Building Permit on Your Own

Larimer County's Building Division oversees professional building services including code enforcement, plan review, permits, and inspections. You can either apply for a building permit in person or online on the "Citizen Self Service Help" page.

Applying Online

Go to onlineportal.larimer.org
If you do not have an account, please click on "Register". If you have an account, please click on "Log On".
Click the down arrow next to "Apply" and select the permit that you would like to apply for.
Add the location where the work is to be done.
Select "Next".
Add the required permit details.
Select "Next".
Click on "Add Contact" and choose either "Applicant," "Owner," or "Company".
Click "Next" and fill out all "Project Info" fields that pertain to your permit.
Click "Next" and do not add any attachments. Click "Next" again.
The review screen allows you to review everything you entered. Go back to make changes or click submit.
Click on "Add to Cart" to pay the fees.
Within three business days, the Building Division will process the permit and you will receive an email stating the permit has been issued.

Applying In-Person

You can apply in person at 200 W. Oak Street, Fort Collins, CO 80521.

Why Use DoNotPay to Get a Larimer County Building Permit

There are a lot of reasons why you should choose DoNotPay;

It’s Fast	You don't have to spend hours trying to get a building permit.
It’s Easy	You don't have to struggle to fill out tedious forms or keep track of all the steps involved in getting a permit.
It’s Successful	You can rest assured knowing we'll make the best case for you.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

While getting your Larimer County building permit is vital, it isn't all that the DoNotPay app can help you with. By frequently checking DoNotPay, you'll find that getting things done in life is a whole lot easier. Speaking of which, check out these other services:

Building permit requirements differ depending on the city, county, or state in which you live, but DoNotPay's building permit product provides you with all the information you need to simplify and speed up the process, no matter where you live. us if you need further assistance!