Englewood, Colorado Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

First Confirm the Property Is Actually in Englewood

This is an important first step because an Englewood mailing address does not always mean the property is inside the City of Englewood. The City explains that Englewood postal ZIP codes can also cover Sheridan, Cherry Hills Village, Centennial, Greenwood Village and unincorporated portions of Arapahoe or Douglas County.

Submitting to the wrong jurisdiction can mean wasted application fees and lost review time.

1. Open the City’s zoning and development page. Use the official Englewood Zoning & Development tools.
2. Use Address Search. Confirm that the project address is within Englewood municipal jurisdiction.
3. Check the zoning map. On the interactive zoning map, select the search icon, enter the address and choose the parcel.
4. Record the zoning district. You may need it when checking setbacks, accessory structures, fences, lot coverage or permitted uses.
5. Call before filing if the boundary is unclear. Community Development can be reached at 303-762-2342.

Do You Need an Englewood Building Permit?

Englewood requires permits for most regulated construction, remodeling and building-system work. Some ordinary maintenance is exempt, but zoning approval can still be required even when a building permit is not.

Examples of work that may not need a building permit

• Replacing flooring or carpet.
• Interior or exterior painting.
• Direct replacement of cabinets and countertops.
• Direct replacement of toilets, sinks and faucets where the scope remains exempt.
• Repairing less than 100 square feet of roofing or siding.
• Soffit, fascia and gutter work.
• A storage shed smaller than 200 square feet, although zoning approval is still required.
• A deck under 200 square feet when it is not attached to the house, does not serve an exit door and is not more than 30 inches above grade; zoning approval is still required.

For an unusual project, use the City’s official “To Permit or Not To Permit” guidance or contact Building & Codes before work starts.

How to Apply for an Englewood Building Permit Online

Englewood uses the iMS system for electronic permit and license submissions. You can upload files, receive review messages, pay charges and communicate with staff through the same system.

1. Confirm jurisdiction and zoning first. Make sure the address belongs to Englewood and check whether the proposed work complies with the property’s zoning.
2. Open Englewood iMS. Create a secure account or sign in to an existing account.
3. Select the correct permit or project type. Building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, demolition and other applications may require different records.
4. Enter the exact project address and scope. Describe what is being built, removed, altered or replaced. Avoid vague descriptions such as “remodel.”
5. Add the correct owner and contractor details. Englewood requires contractors performing paid construction work to hold the applicable City license or registration.
6. Upload the required plans and documents. Use Englewood’s project-specific submittal checklist rather than uploading a generic plan set.
7. Submit the application. Submission starts the City’s intake and review process; it is not permission to begin construction.
8. Monitor iMS for corrections. Respond to review comments and upload revised documents when requested.
9. Pay the assessed fees. The portal supports online payment after applicable fees are calculated.
10. Wait until the permit is issued. Begin permit-required construction only after approval and issuance.

Before preparing drawings, open the City’s Plan Submittal Requirements page and choose the checklist that matches your project.

What Plans and Documents Might Be Required?

The exact file set depends on the project. Englewood publishes separate requirements for residential and commercial work rather than using one checklist for every permit.

Englewood also states that Manual J and Manual D calculations prepared using ACCA software are required for HVAC replacements or additions. For one- and two-family residential re-roofs, a Mid-Roof Compliance Form is required.

Englewood Building Permit Fees for 2026

The City’s building permit fee schedule is effective January 1, 2026. Most general permit fees are calculated from total project valuation.

Other important 2026 charges

Planning, zoning, engineering, fire and utility charges can be separate. For the current official numbers, check the City’s permit and development fee page.

How to Schedule an Englewood Building Inspection

Building inspections must normally be requested online through iMS. Englewood’s inspection operations are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; weekend, holiday and after-hours inspection service is not normally available.

1. Sign in to iMS.
2. Open the issued permit. Confirm you are requesting the inspection under the correct permit record.
3. Select the inspection that matches the completed stage. Do not request a framing inspection while required rough trades remain incomplete.
4. Submit the inspection request. The owner or contractor is responsible for requesting required inspections.
5. Keep the permit and approved plans at the job site. An inspector may be unable to complete the inspection if these are unavailable.
6. Provide access. An adult must be present for an indoor inspection, and animals must be controlled.
7. Check the result in iMS. Do not cover or proceed past work that still requires approval.

Inspection scheduling timing

• Requests submitted after 4:00 p.m. Monday–Friday move to the next business day’s scheduling cycle.
• Requests submitted after 4:00 p.m. Friday or during the weekend are scheduled for Tuesday under the City’s published procedure.
• If Monday is a holiday, those weekend requests move to Wednesday.
• High inspection volume can cause a request to move to a later business day.
• Rough mechanical, electrical and plumbing inspections are required to be scheduled together.

Need a two-hour arrival window?

Call the applicable inspector between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. on the scheduled inspection day.

If iMS is not working for you, the City’s inspection page provides an alternate fillable request option and Building Division contact information.

Know the Inspection Order Before You Cover Work

One of the easiest ways to delay a project is to finish over work that still needs to be inspected. Englewood publishes a detailed rough-inspection sequence.

Common rough inspection stages

• Temporary construction power.
• Footing inspection before concrete is poured.
• Foundation inspection before foundation concrete is poured.
• Foundation waterproofing before backfill.
• Underground plumbing before backfill or slab placement.
• Rough plumbing.
• Rough gas with required testing.
• Rough electrical.
• Electrical service or meter release.
• Rough heating and ventilation.
• Applicable pre-roof/planning inspection.
• Framing after required rough trades have passed.
• Residential insulation.
• Drywall/screw inspection before taping where required.

For detailed stage-by-stage instructions, use Englewood’s official rough inspection guide.

Which Building Codes Does Englewood Use in 2026?

Englewood changed its code framework during 2026. The City states that permits submitted after May 31, 2026 are reviewed under its adopted 2024 International Code family and local amendments.

Local amendments and design criteria matter just as much as the base model code. Before designing or submitting a project, open Englewood’s Adopted Codes and Amendments page.

Contractor Licensing and Homeowner Permits

Englewood requires a City Contractor License or Certificate of Registration for people or businesses performing construction for compensation within city limits.

City licenses and certificates are generally valid for one year from issuance. Electrical and plumbing registrations require the applicable State of Colorado credentials.

Contractors can start with the City’s official Contractor License page.

Can an Englewood homeowner pull their own permit?

Yes, in qualifying situations. Englewood’s Homeowner Affidavit applies when the homeowner owns the qualifying Group R-3 or Group U property, it is the homeowner’s primary residence, it is not rental or income property, and the homeowner is personally performing the work.

If someone outside the homeowner’s immediate family is hired or assists with the work, that person must obtain the appropriate Englewood contractor license for the work being performed.

Homeowners are also responsible for requesting inspections and waiting for approval before continuing past work that must remain visible.

Download the form through Englewood’s Residential Building Guides page.

A Building Permit May Not Be the Only Approval You Need

A common mistake is assuming the building permit covers every part of the project. Depending on scope and location, another City division may review the project too.

Zoning site-plan review can apply before development or improvements requiring a building permit. Site-plan approval can also be needed for fences, walls, accessory structures, garages, carports, sheds, decks, signs and certain driveway work.

For work within a street, sidewalk, alley or other public right-of-way, use the City’s Right-of-Way Permit instructions rather than assuming a normal building permit covers it.

How to Check an Existing Englewood Permit or Building Record

If you are buying a property, checking older construction or trying to close an unfinished permit, start with the permit record rather than relying only on what is visible at the property.

1. Open iMS. Search available permit/project information using the property or known record details.
2. Match the address carefully. A property can have multiple building and trade permits.
3. Open the permit related to the work. Review its current status, files, fees and inspection history.
4. Check every required inspection. A permit existing in the system does not mean it was successfully finaled.
5. Look for connected trade permits. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical records may need separate finals.
6. Contact the Building Division if an older record is incomplete. Provide the property address, approximate year and permit number if known.

The City also provides a broader records page for building permit reports and other public records.

Final Inspections and Certificate of Occupancy

Finishing construction does not automatically close a permit. Englewood explains that several departments may need to approve final items before the Building Final can be completed.

Step 1: Other department finals

• Drainage — Engineering.
• Traffic — Traffic Department.
• Zoning — setbacks, landscaping and parking-related requirements.
• Utilities — applicable utility requirements.

Step 2: Trade finals

• Electrical systems complete and operational.
• Plumbing fixtures installed and operational.
• Mechanical/heating and ventilation equipment complete and operational.

Step 3: Building Final

The structural and building work must be complete according to the approved plans, and required preceding finals must be approved.

New buildings that require occupancy approval cannot be occupied until the required Certificate of Occupancy has been issued. In some cases, the City may issue a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy with specific remaining conditions.

Review Englewood’s Final Inspection instructions before scheduling the last building inspection.

Common Problems That Delay Englewood Permits

• Wrong jurisdiction: an Englewood postal address is submitted even though the site is outside City limits.
• Zoning checked too late: the building plans are prepared before setbacks or site requirements are confirmed.
• Wrong permit type: a project needs separate building and trade records.
• Incomplete plans: the applicant does not follow the City’s project-specific checklist.
• Unlicensed contractor: a paid contractor has not completed the required City license or registration.
• Work starts before issuance: an application submission is mistaken for an issued permit.
• Work gets covered too early: drywall, insulation, concrete or finishes conceal work before required inspection.
• Finals are missed: trade or department finals remain open even after construction appears complete.

Englewood Building Department FAQs