Adams County, Colorado Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Adams County Building Permits & Inspections

The Adams County Building Safety Division handles building plan reviews, code compliance, and inspections for properties in unincorporated Adams County, Colorado. Homeowners and contractors can apply for permits, pay fees, review application status, and request inspections through the county’s online E-Permit Center.

Department Contact Information

The address above is the county government office, not the location where every permitted project must be performed. Confirm office arrangements before visiting.

Does Adams County Issue Permits for Your Address?

The county Building Safety Division generally serves unincorporated areas. Properties within incorporated cities such as Brighton, Thornton, Commerce City, Northglenn, or Westminster may fall under a separate municipal permitting authority.

A Brighton or Thornton mailing address alone does not establish which building department has jurisdiction.

1. Open the Adams County GIS maps.
2. Find the property using its address or parcel information.
3. Check whether it is inside municipal boundaries or in unincorporated Adams County.
4. If the boundary is unclear, call 720-523-6800 before applying.

Important: Zoning permission, HOA restrictions, floodplain requirements, and right-of-way approvals may apply even when a building permit is not required.

Which Projects Require Building Permits?

Adams County publishes project-specific permit requirements. These common examples help identify whether an application is likely necessary.

Other regulated work includes garages, carports, patio covers, gas lines, siding, stucco, plumbing alterations, electrical work, and demolition. The county also lists lawn sprinkler installations among projects requiring permits.

How to Apply for a Building Permit Online

Most applicants can use the official Adams County E-Permit Center. Prepare the required documents before starting; missing drawings or incorrectly named files can delay review.

1. Check your project checklist. Visit the county submittal checklist page and select your project category, such as a deck, basement, garage, new dwelling, or commercial improvement.
2. Create your account. Open the official E-Permit Center. Select the account registration or login option.
3. Start an application. Select Create an Application under Building Permits, or use New → Building Permit. Accept the terms and select the appropriate permit type. If uncertain, the county FAQ directs applicants to use Building Permit – Plan Review Required.
4. Find the property. In the Job Location section, enter the street number and use the blue Search option. Select the matching county property record. The county notes that unincorporated addresses may display a dash instead of a city name.
5. Enter project information. Complete the required description, scope of work, valuation, applicant details, and contractor information.
6. Upload supporting documents. Attach plans and supporting PDFs. Use the county’s file naming conventions and required bookmarks. Individual PDF files must not exceed 100 MB.
7. Review and pay. Check the application, submit it, and complete payment through the official portal when prompted. Save the confirmation, receipt, and assigned permit number.
8. Follow the review process. Check the account for correction requests and approvals. When uploading additional review documents, notify epermitcenter@adamscountyco.gov, as the county says new uploads do not automatically notify staff. Do not begin work requiring a permit until it is issued.

What If Your Application Is Returned for Corrections?

Address every requested correction and submit all required revisions together. Adams County states that a complete resubmittal can take up to 10 business days to review.

If your application is already in the review phase and uploads are locked, email the additional documents to the permit center with the property address and permit number so staff can associate them with the correct record.

Building Permit Fees in Adams County

County building permit fees generally depend on the project’s valuation, which includes material and labor costs. Some projects use square-foot valuation methods. Plan-review charges and additional fees can apply.

For valuations above $100,000, the published schedule uses graduated fee calculations. Plan-review fees are generally listed at 65% of the permit fee when plan review is required.

Reinspection charge: The published fee schedule lists $75 for a reinspection in applicable circumstances, including work not ready for inspection or late inspection changes.

How to Schedule a Building Inspection

Adams County schedules inspections through its E-Permit Center. Requests can also be made through the county’s automated inspection phone system.

1. Open the official inspection scheduling page.
2. Sign in to your permit account and locate the approved permit.
3. Choose the required inspection type and request an available date.
4. Submit the request before 8:00 a.m. on the day before your anticipated inspection.
5. Check the scheduled date and ensure the permitted work is ready and accessible.

Automated inspection line: 720-523-6320. Have your permit number and inspection code ready.

Prepare for the Inspector

• Keep the permit card and county-approved plans at the job site.
• Display the property address where it is readable from the street.
• Make required work accessible before requesting an inspection.
• Do not conceal wiring, plumbing, framing, or other regulated work before the applicable inspection.
• For residential roofing inspections on one- and two-story homes, the county requires a ladder at the property.

The county’s published inspection procedures call for cancellations and rescheduling to be submitted at least 48 hours before the scheduled inspection day to avoid potential late-change charges.

Typical inspections can include footing and foundation, underground utilities, rough electrical and plumbing, mechanical, framing, insulation, and final building inspections. Exact inspection requirements depend on your permit.

See required inspection types and procedures (PDF).

Adams County Building Codes Effective in 2026

For applicable new applications beginning July 1, 2026, Adams County uses the newly adopted 2024 International Code editions, together with the listed Colorado-specific and electrical codes.

County amendments and project-specific requirements also matter. Under the county’s published 2024 minimum design criteria, general reference values include a 30 psf ground snow load, 115 mph wind design speed, and 30-inch frost-line depth. Engineering must use the requirements applicable to the particular site and structure.

Review official minimum design criteria and adopted codes and ordinances.

Contractor Registration & Licensing

Contractors performing regulated work in unincorporated Adams County must complete county contractor registration before obtaining permits.

The county identifies four general classifications:

• Class A: Broad building construction and alteration across occupancy groups.
• Class B: Specified construction work on buildings not exceeding two stories and within designated occupancy groups.
• Class C: Specified nonstructural work in applicable occupancies.
• Class D: Specialty trades, including electrical, plumbing, mechanical, siding, and other specialty work.

Registration is completed through the E-Permit Center under New → Contractor License. Required documentation includes identification of authorized persons, liability insurance, and qualifying licensing or certification. Electrical and plumbing contractors must provide applicable Colorado state licenses.

The county currently states that contractor registration has no county registration fee and requests approximately 24–48 hours for confirmation. This does not remove other state licensing or insurance requirements.

Official contractor registration instructions.

Search Existing Permits & Request Final Approval

Check a Permit or Application Status

Use the Adams County permit record search to look up records by permit number, project address, parcel, or other available criteria. Registered applicants can also review their own records, fees, and application progress.

For a geographic view of permits, land-use cases, and code violations in unincorporated Adams County, use Eye on Adams.

Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy

For projects requiring a Certificate of Occupancy (CO), the county requires final inspection completion and supporting documents appropriate to the project.

1. Complete all necessary inspections and obtain applicable agency approvals.
2. Upload the required final documentation through the permit account.
3. Email epermitcenter@adamscountyco.gov with the building permit number (BDP#) and request the CO.
4. Allow the county’s published 24–48-hour document review window, subject to completeness and county processing. Wait for confirmation that the certificate is issued.

Depending on the project, supporting documents can include signed inspection records, fire approvals, engineering letters, insulation certificates, blower-door testing, or other required sign-offs.

Official CO document checklist (PDF).

Frequently Asked Questions