Permit and Inspection Information

Colorado.gov

Plumbing Permits Online
Homeowners and contractors can now obtain plumbing permits,
pay for them using a credit card, and request inspections via the Internet.

Online Permits System

Permits || Inspections || Information Guides

Inspection Schedule* Now Available On Line

After you have requested an inspection, the inspector will normally schedule this inspection within three days of receipt of your request.
Once an inspection has been scheduled* by the inspector, you can access that information from your online account by viewing the permit to see if it has been placed on the schedule* for that day.
This information will be posted throughout the morning on the day of the scheduled* inspection, usually by 10 a.m. each day. This information will only be available the day of the scheduled* inspection.
Ensure that the inspection site is accessible to the inspector from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Contact your inspector with any updates as to driving directions, phone numbers, or access codes not found on the permit. Faxing this information the day of the inspection is ill-advised since your inspector will likely be away from the office by the time you send this notification.
To avoid re-inspection fees
- Ensure the address number is visibly posted at the driveway entrance of the jobsite.
- Ensure that the job is ready for the inspection before you call to request an inspection.
- Ensure that the job is accessible to the inspector (gates and doors are unlocked; homeowner or other contact is on site if facility is occupied, make occupant aware that inspector will be visiting.
The inspection notification is not a guarantee that the inspection will take place on the date noted, it is a notification that the inspection is scheduled* for that day.
No additional information regarding the inspection schedule is available through the website or Board office.

*Due to unforeseen delays, your inspector might not be able to complete his/her entire itinerary on any given day

Permit Information

A valid Colorado State Plumbing permit must be applied for and issued through this office prior to commencing work. All permits are valid for one year from their date of issuance unless specifically requesting a longer period.

A separate permit is required for EACH individual, detached structure on the same property.
Separate structures must be clearly indicated by name, letter or number if more than one exists on the same property Example: garage, studio, barn; building A, B, C; Building 1, 2, 3; etc.

A plumbing contractor or homeowner installing his/her own plumbing is required to obtain permits prior to commencing work. The respective master plumber or homeowner signature is required on all permit applications submitted to this office for processing. A plumbing contractor may not do work on a permit issued to a "homeowner."

A homeowner may install plumbing at their residence if the following is true: the work is personally performed by the homeowner and the property is not for sale, resale, is not rental property which is occupied or is to be occupied by tenants for lodging, either transient or permanent; and is not generally open to the public. Basic homeowner guidelines and guidelines for modular housing are available.

A homeowner and plumbing contractor may obtain plumbing permits online. Alternatively, you may download and print a permit form. This form is not designed to be submitted electronically; however, the form may be printed and submitted by mail with your payment.

The fee schedule is on the back of the permit form. The effective date is at the top of the form.

Inspection request: The permit number must be provided to the inspector when requesting an inspection, and in order to obtain the permit information. The most efficient way to request an inspection is through our on-line permit account.

Each inspector is responsible for setting their inspection schedule for their respective area(s). This schedule is recorded and available by calling your inspector's line. Inspections should be requested no later than 3:00 pm the day prior to your needing an inspection.

Additional permit fee: This is required when: (1) The applicants requests an additional inspection (2) the number of plumbing items indicated on the original permit does not coincide with what is installed at the residence, or (3) material costs and labor exceeds the original figure estimated for a commercial job. Contact your plumbing inspector or the Denver office before submitting the fee.

Reinspection fee: If an inspection is rejected at the time it is reviewed by the inspector, you may be required to pay a reinspection fee before another inspection will be made (this fee will be noted on the rejection notice left at the job site). According to the plumbing statute section 12-58-110 (1) (c), C.R.S. corrections should be made in a timely manner.

A re-inspection fee may be assessed by the inspector for the following reasons:

The inspection is not ready and an extra trip is required for the inspector (a job with five or more code violations can be considered not ready by the inspector).
Corrections have not been made to all code violations cited from previous inspection.
No access to the job site (locked gate or door, snow not plowed, no escort into an occupied structure (inspectors will not enter an occupied residence without escort), hazardous construction site - including loose dogs, etc.).
Address not posted visibly from the street or road.
Improper directions to jobsite.

Trim permit: If the permit expires after the rough-in inspection has been completed and approved by the plumbing inspector, and before the final inspection is approved, a trim permit must be obtained and the required fee paid.

Notice of expiration: All permits are valid for one year from their date of issuance unless specifically requesting a longer period at the time your permit is originally applied for. This office makes every attempt to notify the permit applicant prior to expiration that the permit is close to expiring and what options are available (see "Trim Permit" above). If your permit expires after the rough inspections are complete, you may purchase a trim permit for a reduced, set fee (see “Trim Permit” above). If your permit expires and you are not eligible for a trim permit, you will be required to obtain a new permit based on the original valuation of your plumbing work.

Permit extension: Permits may be extended one time for a period of six months if the final inspection will not be completed by the expiration date of the permit. In order to receive an extension on your permit, you must notify the Denver office prior to the expiration date and supply your name and the permit number. You may notify the office by phone at (303) 894-2300, by fax at (303) 894-2310, or by mail (see address below).

Refund process: There has been a significant increase in the number of requests for refunds of plumbing permits. The cost involved in processing the refunds is significant.

An option to requesting a refund: A plumbing contractor may transfer an existing permit from one job address to another job address; (however, transfers are not allowed between contractors or from contractor to homeowner). For permits that qualify for transfer, please ensure that

1) the fee is the same amount, and

2) no inspections have been made.

To transfer the existing permit to another address, please make the appropriate changes to your existing permit. Mail or fax the corrections to this office at the address, fax number, or email listed below. The changes will be made and a corrected copy of the permit will be made available to you. To avoid confusion, please discard the original permit.

A refund may be allowed for a six-month period of the permit issue date as long as no inspections have been performed. After the six month period of the issue date, a transfer may be allowed if the permit has not expired.

NOTE: No refunds are processed if any inspections have been made.

A refund request may be submitted by email, fax, or mail to the Denver Office within 6 months of the permit issue date. The request must contain:

            1. The permit number.
            2. Name of the permit applicant.
            3. Type of payment (if paid by check, include a copy of both sides of the cancelled check).
            4. Reason for refund request (Cancelled job, not in state’s jurisdiction, lack of funds, etc.).

Permit refunds purchased by check take 45 days to process.

Application for a code variance request: To request from the Board a variance to the currently adopted code on a specific plumbing installation, prior approval must be granted from the Board. For additional information you may want to print a variance request form. Please see the reference to variances in section 12-58-104.5(4) of the Plumbing Statute.

Inspection Information

The state currently employs 9 inspectors who inspect in 26 counties throughout Colorado that are not inspected by local authorities. All public schools and state buildings, regardless of their location, are inspected by state plumbing inspectors. You may wish to view a map of the state inspectors' territories.

In areas where the state currently does not inspect, you would need to contact the local jurisdiction. You may wish to view a list of the county jurisdictions that state inspectors do not inspect within. However, it is not a complete listing.

All work must be inspected prior to covering, i.e. insulation, drywall, etc. and again upon completion of the system prior to occupancy. All plumbing installations must be inspected by a Colorado State plumbing inspector for compliance with the current Colorado Plumbing Code adopted by the Examining Board of Plumbers.

Inspection Schedule* Now Available On Line

After you have requested an inspection, the inspector will normally schedule this inspection within three days of receipt of your request.
Once an inspection has been scheduled* by the inspector, you can access that information from your online account by viewing the permit to see if it has been placed on the schedule* for that day.
This information will be posted throughout the morning on the day of the scheduled* inspection, usually by 10 a.m. each day. This information will only be available the day of the scheduled* inspection.
Ensure that the inspection site is accessible to the inspector from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Contact your inspector with any updates as to driving directions, phone numbers, or access codes not found on the permit. Faxing this information the day of the inspection is ill-advised since your inspector will likely be away from the office by the time you send this notification.
To avoid re-inspection fees
- Ensure the address number is visibly posted at the driveway entrance of the jobsite.
- Ensure that the job is ready for the inspection before you call to request an inspection.
The inspection notification is not a guarantee that the inspection will take place on the date noted, it is a notification that the inspection is scheduled* for that day.
No additional information regarding the inspection schedule is available through the website or Board office.
Inspections will not be performed on weekends or official holidays.

*Due to unforeseen delays, your inspector might not be able to complete his/her entire itinerary on any given day.

Information for Homeowners

General information and installation guidelines for residential properties.
Modular housing guidelines.
Important note: Please visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for web site for information on how you may obtain verification that your water is safe for drinking (potable). This link will take you to the Laboratory Services Division page - then go to the link on that page entitled: "Water testing packaging for private well owners."
Guide for Plumbing and Gas Piping Installations