Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit?
Probably.
Most construction and development work performed within the Town of Breckenridge requires a permit. This includes all new construction, demolitions, enlargements, remodels, renovations, reconstruction, additions, alterations, and relocations. Other projects requiring a permit include the erection, installation, enlargement, alteration, repair, removal, conversion, or replacement of any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system.
Cosmetic improvements, such as interior painting, installation of carpet, and minor repairs or maintenance, do not require a permit. Some minor projects that still require a permit within the Town of Breckenridge include hot tub installations, exterior painting, fences, roofing and concrete slabs.
If you are not sure if a permit is required or not, please feel free to contact the Building Division (970) 453-3180 or Planning Division (970) 453-3160.

How long does it take to get a permit?
Obtaining a Development Permit can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several months, depending on the size and complexity of the project.  Building permits generally take two weeks for plan review once complete plans and applications are received.  This would include having all necessary signatures and original wet stamped plans, if required, for the project.  Electrical and plumbing permits may take only a few minutes of your time. Sign permits usually take just a few days to review and approve. Permits for single-family homes usually take about 30 - 45 days from start to finish, and permits for large commercial or residential projects, subdivisions and Master Plans may take several months (and several meetings) before they are approved. Please contact the Building or Planning Division for an estimate of the duration of your particular permit process.

How Much Will My Permit Cost?
Fees for permits vary depending on the scope of the project. Building Permit fees are generally based on the valuation of the project and the size of the project (in square feet). Development Permit fees are based on the application classification. Listed below are the fees charged for various types of permits.  To calculate fees, see our Amendment Package for Building Fees. 

Building Permits
Fees are based on building valuations, which shall include total value of work, including materials and labor, for which the permit is being issued, such as electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing equipment and permanent systems. If, in the opinion of the building official, the valuation is underestimated on the application, the applicant may need to show detailed estimates to meet the approval of the building official. Final building permit valuation shall be set by the building official. Please call the office at (970) 453-3180 for an estimated fee based on your building valuation.

Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Permits
Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical permits and associated plan review fees are based on the Town of Breckenridge Building Department Fee Schedule. Electrical Permit fees are based on square footage for new single-family homes. All other fees are based on valuation per the State Electrical Board Fee schedule, plus 15% per the Town of Breckenridge Ordinance #19, Series 2008. Plumbing and Mechanical Fees are based on valuation per the Town of Breckenridge Ordinance #19, Series 2008, and the Town of Breckenridge Building Department fee schedule.

Development Permits
Class A: $4,510, plus $75 per SFE*
Class B (Major): $2,270, plus $75 per SFE*
Class B (Minor): $645, plus $75 per SFE* (for major remodel of a residential structure in Historic District or Conservation District)
Class B (Minor): $1,290, plus $75 per SFE* (all others)
Class C (Major): $1,290
Class C (Minor): $645
Class D: $45

Subdivision Permits
Class A Subdivision: $4,510, plus $75 per lot or tract
Class B Subdivision: $2,270, plus $75 per lot or tract
Class C Subdivision: $1,290 (Staff Review)

Concurrent Subdivision/Master Plan
Please contact a Planner to calculate your fees.

Annexation
Annexations (vacant land): $9,270, plus $75 per acre
Annexations (subject to election): $20,600, plus $75 per acre
*SFE = Single Family Equivalent. Contact the Planning Division (970) 453-3160 for more details about SFEs as they relate to your development proposal. Contact the Building Department (970) 453-3180 for more information about building permit fees.

Other 
Work Sessions: $500 (50% may be credited to permit fee application)
Subdivision Corrections: $200

What building code does Breckenridge use?
As of April 9, 2008, Breckenridge is using the 2006 International Building Code, the 2006 International Residential Code (and Appendix Chapters G & K), the 2006 International Mechanical Code (and Appendix A), the 2006 International Plumbing Code (and Appendices C, E, F, G), the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code, the 2008 National Electrical Code, the 2006 ICC Electrical Code-Administrative Provisions, the 2006 International Fuel Gas Code (and Appendices A & B), the 1997 Uniform Code for Building Conservation (and Appendix Chapter 3), and the 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings. Contact the Building Division at (970) 453-3180 if you have further questions.

Do I need a business license to do work?
Yes. All contractors and subcontractors must have a business license if they are performing work in the Town of Breckenridge. A homeowner performing work on his own home does not need a business license, however, a building permit is still required. Contact the Town Clerk for information on obtaining a business license: (970) 453-2251.

Can I post a guarantee if not finished with work?
Yes.
Certain work that cannot be completed due to weather may be guaranteed with a cash deposit. This includes landscaping, driveway paving and exterior paint or stain. All other work must be completed before a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued. A site completion deposit may be allowed for these items if the weather (at the time of the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy) will not allow these items to be completed. Generally, site completion deposits are allowed only from Halloween until Memorial Day. The deposit amount will be based on a bid from the contractor for the estimated cost to complete the work, plus 25%. All estimates should include the cost of materials plus the cost of installation by a professional. Homeowners who will be doing the installation themselves will need a bid from a local contractor. The owner is required to deposit this money with the Town until the work is complete. If the owner fails to perform the required work adequately, the Town may use the money deposited to complete the work. If the work is completed adequately, the deposit will be returned to the owner, no interest will be paid on any site completion deposit.

What needs to be finished before I receive a Certificate of Occupancy?
Before a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued, the contractor must complete all required work on the project, including interior paint and other finish work. All subcontractor permits must also be finalized and approved, including final electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspections. In addition, the Planning Department will inspect the project for completeness. This will include all exterior paint and stain (including painting of metal vents, utility boxes and meters, and flashing), driveway paving, masonry, installation of landscaping and irrigation systems, and revegetation of disturbed soil areas. A site completion deposit may be allowed, at the option of the Town, to guarantee the completion of work that cannot be completed during the winter months (i.e. landscaping, exterior paint and driveway paving).  Generally, site completion deposits are allowed only from Halloween until Memorial Day.  Projects must be free of construction materials, trash, dumpsters, and portable toilets. Sewer cleanouts should be cut down to a few inches above grade. 

What other fees do I need to pay?
Other fees that you may need to pay include water Plant Investment Fees (PIF), water connection fees, erosion control fees, and Sanitation District tap fees. The Sanitation District tap fee is charged and collected by the Breckenridge Sanitation District. Please contact them directly for more information on their fees: (970) 453-2723. If you would like an estimate of your fees, contact the Building Division at (970) 453-3180.  For a building permit estimate, you need total square footage, square footage of garage, and a valuation for the project.  For plumbing and mechanical, you need valuation for the project.  For electrical, you need total square footage for new construction or valuation for any other project.

What Type of Plans Do I Need? 
The amount of plan material required for review depends upon the scale/complexity of the project. Generally, the more complex the project, the greater the amount of submittal material.

All proposals submitted to the Community Development Department for planning review must be accompanied by accurate plans that are drawn to scale on standard size paper. Full size plans are acceptable on 24” X 36” (arch D) or 30” X 42” (arch E) size sheets. For single family homes, surveys, site plans and landscaping plans should be at a scale of 1”=10’, but in all cases, must be in decimal increments divisible by 10. Other sheets such as floor plans and building elevations should be to a scale of 1/4” = 1’-0”.

Generally, the set of plans should include a survey (showing existing conditions including contours/topography, trees greater than 8” caliper, easements and structures), site plan (showing all proposed improvements and associated grading), landscaping plan (all trees to be removed as well as those to be installed), floor plans and building elevations (with heights and materials specified). Lighting information and a material and color sample board are also required for new construction.

Three (3) full size sets of the above plans to be submitted for single family homes, as well as one (1) set of 11”X17” sized reductions (excluding the floor plans) are required. If there is a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) governing the subdivision, we advise you to obtain their approval prior to submitting any plans to the Town. (If the HOA requires any plan changes, revised drawings and additional hearings before the Town may be required.)

Once the project has been reviewed and approved by the Town, a building permit may be applied for. Two (2) identical construction sets of full size plans must be submitted for review. All structural plans must be wet stamped and signed by a Colorado licensed Structural Engineer, or, in the case of a single family residence, a Colorado registered Architect. The plans will be checked against those approved by the Town in the planning process and the associated conditions of approval for the project. Please note that, as specified by the conditions of approval, a construction staging plan will also be required prior to issuance of a building permit.