Building Permits

The Parker Building Division, located at 20120 E. Mainstreet, handles all Building permits and inspections within incorporated Parker.

Click here for a building permit application.

The following information addresses some of the questions that the Building Division frequently hears. Click on one of the links below for more information.

When do I need a permit?
Why should I get a permit?
How much does a permit cost?
How long does it take to get a permit?
Will my property taxes go up if I obtain a permit on my project?
Do permits add cost and time to projects?
How do I know if my contractor obtained a permit?
When do I need inspections?
How long is a permit valid?

When do I need a permit?
The quick answer – you need a permit for practically everything. Examples are:

New Building
Examples include, but are not limited to: dwellings, detached garages and storage sheds over 120 square feet, carports, patio covers, gazebos and commercial buildings.

Additions
Examples include, but are not limited to: buildings, swimming pools, decks, retaining walls over 48 inches, and fences over six feet in height.

Alterations
Beyond cosmetic, examples include, but are not limited to: converting a garage to living space, re-roofing, dry-walling and finishing basement.

Any Repairs Involving Structural Members Installations
Examples include, but are not limited to: EPA Phase 2 approved wood burning stoves, gas lines, air conditioners, furnaces, water heaters, and hot tubs.

A permit is required for changing the use of a structure, such as a single family residence to a restaurant or shop.

For more information, refer to section 301 of the Parker Administrative Code, which you can access by clicking here. You'll need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it, which is available free of charge from the link below.

Why should I get a permit?
Besides the fact that it’s the ‘Law’, there are other very good reasons:

• It provides a third party verification that you (or the contractor you hired), did the work to minimum code requirements;
• It provides the homeowner with a resource for construction–related questions – where else (for the price of a permit) can you access expertise in all fields (plumbing, mechanical, electrical, framing, finish, etc.)

How much does a permit cost?
Permit cost is based on the project’s total valuation. Valuation is based on the average cost figures per square foot show in the Building Valuation Data Chart published in the Building Safety magazine of the International Code Council.

• New Residences and Commercial Buildings will be charged a plan check deposit:
• Residence: $200 per model
• Commercial: Half of 65% of the estimated permit fee
• Tenant Finish: $100 plan check deposit
• Deposits are applied to your building permit fee and are not additional fees. If the permit is not picked up, the Building Department retains the deposit as the fee for the plan review already conducted.

Click here for more information on building permit fees.

How long does it take to get a permit?

New Construction - Residential and Commercial
The first initial plan review is as long as 2-3 weeks. Re-review is generally 1-2 weeks. This, of course, assumes that the entire application is complete.

Existing Construction, such as Tenant Finish
The review depends on the amount of work being done. An average time for the first review is 1-2 weeks. A basement finish may only be 1 to 2 working days in review time.

Will my property taxes go up if I obtain a permit on my project?
True, the Douglas County Assessor’s office does monitor permit activity. The effect on property tax due to a home improvement project depends on the type of improvement.

Do permits add cost and time to projects?
Permits do have fees, but permits also give you added protection and resources (see Why should I get a permit?). The Town of Parker is sensitive to the needs of homeowners and contractors of small projects. The Building Division policy on these types of inspections is as follows: For homeowners conducting the work on their home, we will give a two-hour inspection window.

It is important that the person responsible for the work be present during the inspection so that if corrections are needed, they can be explained at the site.

How do I know if my contractor obtained a permit?
Simply call the Building permit counter at 303.841.1970, give us your address and we can tell if a permit has been applied for and issued. That just takes a minute.

When do I need inspections?
The type and number of inspections vary depending upon the complexity of your project. If you call after hours, you may leave your inspection request on the recorder. All request(s) received by 3:30 p.m. will be scheduled for the following business day. Requests received after 3:30 p.m. will be scheduled the day following the next business day.

For example, if you call by 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, your inspection will be scheduled for Wednesday. If you call after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, your inspection will be scheduled on Thursday.

Call the Building Department at 303.841.1970 to schedule or get more information about inspections. The inspectors are available for questions between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.

How long is a permit valid?
Issued permits are valid indefinitely (within reason) provided work is started within 180 days of issuance, and an inspection has been performed for each 180 day period thereafter.

For more information, please call the Building Division at 303.841.1970.