Residential - New Home Construction Permit Requirements
In order to obtain a building permit for a residential structure, the following must be submitted to the Douglas County Building Division:
Permit Application: Complete all applicable areas of the application, except the lower right corner, including square footages (1st floor, 2nd floor, basement and garage), number of bedrooms, and bathrooms. Since Douglas County Building requires that contractors be licensed, these areas need to be completed at the time of submittal.
Site Plan: Submit two sets showing the dimensions from the structure to the property lines. Location of any body of water within 100 feet of the structure must be shown. The drawings must be to scale and show the location of the driveway, septic system or sewer lines, utility easements and the USGS elevation at top of foundation.
Drainage, Erosion and Sediment Control (DESC): Submit completed DESC Permit form along with a DESC Plan indicating all drainage information as required.
Construction Plans: Submit one set of drawings on white or blue paper in blue or black ink, showing labeled floor plans (including basement plans), location of all windows and doors, floor framing plans and roof framing plans. At least one cross section, from the foundation to the roof, has to be included along with all four elevations.
Engineered Foundation Plans: One set of foundation plans with each page stamped and signed by a State of Colorado registered engineer.
Proof of Sewer and Water: Proof of water and sewer availability must be submitted with the application. If you are within a metro district, you will need a letter of availability or a tap fee receipt. Where septic permits will be required, a copy of the application and septic permit need to be included with your submittal. Septic permits may be obtained from the Tri-County Health Department 303.663.7650. Well permits may be obtained at the Colorado Division of Water Resources 303.866.3581. If you are located within the Front Range, or the Pike/Rampart Range areas, proof of adequate water supply will be required before a building permit can be issued. This can range from demonstrating ownership of the water rights to a 4-hour well test. If the flow is less than one gallon per minute, a cistern shall be required.
Proof of Ownership: A recorded warranty deed under the applicant’s name is required at the time of submittal.
Soil Report: A copy of the soil report, stamped and signed by a Colorado Engineer, for the property has to be included. In areas that may contain a geological hazard, additional engineering by a State Licensed Geological Engineer will be required.
Driveway Permit: A driveway permit, when required, can be applied for at the same time as the building permit and must include a site plan.
Architectural Control Committee: If you are building in a subdivision, there maybe an active Architectural Control Committee for that area. An approval letter should be submitted at this time. As a courtesy, we will contact the Architectural Control Committee if a letter is not included with the application. This building permit will be held for ten working days if there is no approval. Lack of Architectural Control Committee approval will not cause a delay in reviewing your plans or issuing the permit.
Any incomplete information will cause a delay in reviewing the plans or issuing a building permit. If you have any questions about submitting an application, please contact one of the plan examiners in our office. Individual permits for electrical, plumbing and mechanical are not required since the general permit covers them. However, construction meters require a separate permit.
Additional Resources
Custom Home FAQs [link to Building Division FAQs]
Building Fee Schedule [40KB]
Building Permit Application [17KB]
Driveway Permit Application [60KB]
DESC Permit Application [58KB]
New Residential Inspection List [HTML Page ]
Custom Home Fees [Estimation Worksheet ]
Stock Home Fees [Estimation Worksheet]