Centennial Building Permits & Inspections: What to Do First
The City of Centennial Building Division handles building permits, plan review, inspections and local contractor licensing for construction work within Centennial, Colorado. Most permit and contractor-license applications are submitted through the City’s online Self-Service Portal.
Centennial Building Division Contact Information
| Item | 2026 Information |
|---|---|
| Official agency | City of Centennial Building Division |
| Services | Building permits, plan review, inspections, building-code administration and contractor licensing |
| Office | Centennial Civic Center, 13133 E. Arapahoe Rd., Centennial, CO 80112 |
| Building Division phone | 303-754-3321 |
| buildingdivision@centennialco.gov | |
| Office hours | Monday–Tuesday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wednesday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Mountain Time |
| Planning & zoning | 303-754-3308 · centennialplanning@centennialco.gov |
| 24-hour Citizen Response Center | 303-325-8000 |
The City provides workstations at the Building Division office for applicants who need assistance accessing the online permitting system.
Confirm That Centennial Is the Correct Permitting Authority
Do not choose a building department only from the city name in a postal address. Before applying, confirm that the project is actually within the City of Centennial and identify any separate zoning, fire, utility or right-of-way approvals that may apply.
- Open the City’s Property Search tool.
- Enter the project address. The City recommends abbreviating street types and directions and avoiding punctuation.
- Review available property information such as zoning, water and sanitation districts, fire district and other service areas.
- If jurisdiction remains unclear, call the Building Division at 303-754-3321 before submitting or paying fees.
When Do You Need a Building Permit in Centennial?
The City states that a permit is required when work involves constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving or demolishing a building or structure, changing its occupancy, or performing regulated electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing work.
| Project / Work Type | Centennial Permit Path |
|---|---|
| New house or commercial building | Residential New or Commercial New permit |
| Addition, remodel or reconfigured space | Residential Alteration or applicable commercial permit |
| Deck, pergola or patio cover | Residential alteration / project-specific building review |
| Shed, detached garage, carport or accessory structure | Temporary or Accessory Structure permit |
| Residential reroof | One-Stop Reroof permit; a mid-roof inspection is required |
| Like-for-like AC, furnace or water heater | One-Stop permit |
| Electric service replacement without added load | One-Stop Electric Service Change |
| Gas-line repair or replacement | One-Stop Gas Line permit |
| Solar installation | Residential or Commercial Renewable Energy permit |
| Fence | A City fence permit is required for new fences and replacements where height, location or material changes |
| Sign | Separate sign permit |
| Work in public right-of-way | Separate Right-of-Way permit may be required |
For unusual or borderline work, confirm the permit requirement with the Building Division rather than assuming that a small project is exempt. Zoning, easements, fire requirements and HOA rules can also affect work even when the building-permit question is simple.
How to Apply for a Centennial Building Permit Online
The City’s March 2026 portal instructions provide a clear application workflow. Prepare your files before opening the portal so you do not have to stop midway.
- Open the official portal. Go to the Centennial Self-Service Portal and sign in or create an account with a valid email address.
- Select Apply. Choose the Apply menu/card. Open the Permits category or search by keyword for your project type.
- Select the correct permit. Use the City’s permit classification list if you are unsure whether the project is residential, commercial, one-stop, demolition, renewable energy or another category.
- Add the project location. Search by street address, parcel number or partial address and select the correct property record.
- Enter project details. Complete the required description, square footage where requested and project valuation. Centennial bases valuation on labor and materials.
- Add contacts. Enter the applicant, owner and required contractor contacts. Required fields are marked in the portal.
- Complete project-specific questions. Fill in all required information in the “More Info” step.
- Upload documents. Attach plans, site plans and other requested files. The City’s online permit page specifies PDF for plans/site plans, and the portal guide identifies PDF as the City’s supported file type.
- Sign electronically if required. Enter or draw the applicant signature when the selected application includes the signature step.
- Review and submit. Check the property, contacts, attachments and project information before selecting Submit. Save the generated permit/application number.
What Should You Prepare Before Applying?
Exact requirements vary by permit type, but preparing the following information prevents many avoidable delays:
- Exact project address and correct parcel/location.
- Clear description and scope of work.
- Total project valuation including labor and materials.
- Owner and applicant contact information.
- Licensed contractor information where contractors are being used.
- PDF construction plans and/or site plan for new work, additions and remodels.
- Structural calculations, engineering or design-professional documents when required by the scope.
- Energy, mechanical, electrical, plumbing or other trade information applicable to the project.
Residential plan information
For one- and two-family projects, Centennial’s residential checklist calls for project and contact information plus plans appropriate to the work. A site plan may need lot dimensions, existing and proposed structures, building footprint, distances to property lines or other buildings, north arrow and easements. More complex work can require signed and sealed plans from a Colorado registered design professional.
Review Centennial’s residential plan checklist ↗
Centennial Building Permit Review Times in 2026
The City’s published targets apply to the first review of a complete submittal. Incomplete applications or later corrections can extend the overall time.
| Permit Type | Published Initial Review Target |
|---|---|
| One-Stop permits | 1 business day |
| Residential alteration, basement finish, deck/pergola/patio cover, demolition, miscellaneous, renewable energy, structural window/door changes | 5 business days |
| Residential addition, accessory structure, pool/spa | 10 business days |
| Residential new construction | 15 business days after plan-review fee payment |
| Commercial reroof, stand-alone demolition, renewable energy | 5 business days |
| Commercial alteration, miscellaneous, tenant improvement, low voltage, temporary/accessory structure | 10 business days after plan-review fee payment |
| Commercial new building or addition | 15 business days after plan-review fee payment |
| New-construction resubmittal/revision | 10 business days |
| Other resubmittals/revisions | 5 business days |
These are review targets, not guaranteed issuance dates. Final timing can also depend on zoning, fire review, corrections, contractor status and payment of all required fees.
Centennial Building Permit Fees & Construction Use Tax
Centennial’s current published building permit schedule calculates many permit fees from the project’s total valuation. The Building Official determines the valuation used for fee purposes, and the schedule includes construction work, finish work and permanent systems/equipment in that valuation.
| Project Valuation | Published Building Permit Fee Formula |
|---|---|
| $1–$500 | $23.50 |
| $501–$2,000 | $23.50 + $3.05 for each additional $100 or fraction |
| $2,001–$25,000 | $69.25 + $14 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $25,001–$50,000 | $391.25 + $10.10 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001–$100,000 | $643.75 + $7 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001–$500,000 | $993.75 + $5.60 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $500,001–$1,000,000 | $3,233.75 + $4.75 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $1,000,000 | $5,608.75 + $3.15 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
Other published building charges
| Charge | Published Amount |
|---|---|
| Plan review when required | 65% of the building permit fee; separate from the permit fee |
| Reinspection | $55 per hour or applicable jurisdiction cost, whichever is greater |
| Inspection outside normal hours | $125 per hour, two-hour minimum, or applicable jurisdiction cost if greater |
| Additional plan review | $55 per hour, one-half-hour minimum, or applicable jurisdiction cost if greater |
| Temporary Certificate of Occupancy | $800 |
Residential electrical fee examples
| Residential Living Area | Published Electrical Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,000 sq. ft. | $100 |
| 1,001–1,500 sq. ft. | $150 |
| 1,501–2,000 sq. ft. | $200 |
| Area over 2,000 sq. ft. | Add $10 per additional 100 sq. ft. or applicable increment under the schedule |
Open the official Centennial permit fee schedule PDF ↗
Building materials use tax
Permit cost is not limited to the base building fee. Centennial also applies construction/building-material use tax. The City’s published guidance states that projects using building materials are subject to 2.5% City use tax plus 0.25% Arapahoe County use tax.
- For permit projects, the City estimates that 50% of project valuation represents taxable material purchases and collects a use-tax deposit before permit issuance.
- The general contractor or property owner responsible for the permit is responsible for the tax.
- The estimated payment must later be reconciled to actual taxable material costs.
- The City’s guidance states that reconciliation is due within 90 calendar days after the Certificate of Occupancy or final inspection, whichever is later.
Review Centennial’s official building materials use-tax guidance ↗
How to Schedule a Building Inspection
After the permit has been issued and the work reaches a required inspection stage, the permit holder schedules the inspection through the Self-Service Portal.
- Sign in to the Self-Service Portal.
- Select Dashboard in the top navigation.
- Select the blue Active circle.
- Open the correct permit number.
- Scroll to the Inspections tab.
- Select the Action option beside the inspection type you need.
- Choose the available inspection date/window and submit the request.
| Inspection Rule | Centennial Guidance |
|---|---|
| Next-business-day cutoff | Request before 3:30 p.m. on the preceding business day; next-day service is not guaranteed |
| Morning window | Approximately 8:30 a.m.–noon |
| Afternoon window | Approximately noon–4 p.m. |
| Daily ETA | Expected arrival information is available after 8:30 a.m. on the inspection day |
| Interior residential access | A person age 18 or older must be present |
| Backyard access | Leave written permission if the inspector needs to enter the backyard |
| Residential reroof | Mid-roof inspection required |
| Siding | Weather-resistive barrier must be inspected before final inspection |
Centennial Building Codes in Effect in 2026
Centennial’s current Building Division code list and current Municipal Code show the following primary standards for 2026:
| Code Area | Current Centennial Standard |
|---|---|
| Building | 2021 International Building Code (IBC) |
| Residential | 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) |
| Existing buildings | 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) |
| Energy | 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with Centennial amendments |
| Electrical | 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) |
| Mechanical | 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) |
| Plumbing | 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) |
| Fuel gas | 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) |
| Swimming pools & spas | 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) |
| Fire | 2021 International Fire Code; enforced by South Metro Fire Rescue |
| Accessibility reference | 2017 ICC A117.1 as referenced by the 2021 IBC |
| Property maintenance | 2024 Centennial Property Maintenance Code |
| Wildfire resiliency | 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, effective in Centennial June 30, 2026 |
2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code
The Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code became effective in Centennial on June 30, 2026. Centennial states that mapped portions of the city fall in Low and Moderate fire-intensity areas.
The rules can affect new construction and qualifying exterior work, including certain additions, projects adding 500 square feet or more to the structure footprint, projects affecting at least 25% of a structure’s exterior, and roof replacements involving 25% or more of the roof surface. Requirements vary by the mapped wildfire-intensity area.
Check Centennial’s 2026 wildfire-resiliency guidance and property map ↗
Contractor Licensing & Homeowner Permits
Contractors
Centennial requires contractors and subcontractors performing work in the City to be properly licensed/registered for the applicable work. Contractor applications are submitted through the Self-Service Portal.
Common application documents include general liability insurance naming the City of Centennial as certificate holder, workers’ compensation insurance or an applicable City waiver, and testing/licensing credentials when required.
| License Classification | Published City Fee |
|---|---|
| General Contractor Class A | $255 |
| General Contractor Class B | $155 |
| General Contractor Class C | $105 |
| HVAC | $80 |
Centennial states that electrical and plumbing applicants must provide applicable Colorado DORA state/master licenses. Class A, B, C and HVAC applicants may need accepted ICC testing or qualifying Denver/Aurora credentials. City contractor licenses are valid for one year from issuance.
Apply for or renew a Centennial contractor license ↗
Can a homeowner pull the permit?
Yes, but Centennial states that a homeowner may pull the permit only when the homeowner will perform the work and occupies the residence being permitted. The City requires a Homeowners Agreement/Affidavit.
The agreement requires the homeowner to acknowledge responsibility for the work being personally performed, understand when inspections are required and obtain inspection approval before regulated work is concealed and again at project completion.
Search Permits, Check Status & Close the Project
Search an existing permit
The Centennial Self-Service Portal provides public permit information and allows registered users to track their own active applications, invoices and inspections.
- Open the Self-Service Portal.
- Use the search tools for available public records or sign in to view records associated with your account.
- Search with the permit number, address or available property information.
- For older or more detailed records not available online, use the City’s public-records request process.
From permit issuance to final approval
- Print or retain the issued permit and approved/stamped plans.
- Begin work only after permit issuance. The City’s published process states permits are active for 180 days.
- Request each required inspection before concealing the relevant work.
- Correct failed items and arrange reinspection when required.
- Complete all final inspections.
- For projects requiring occupancy approval, obtain the inspector’s clearance and submit the appropriate TCO/CO request.
- Email the Building Division after all inspections pass to request the Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion when applicable.
- Retain the closed permit, approved plans, inspection records and final certificate with the property records.
Other Useful Centennial Building Services
| Need | Where to Start |
|---|---|
| Building guides and project checklists | Building Division resource library |
| Zoning / property information | Centennial Property Search |
| Municipal building-code amendments | Centennial Municipal Code |
| Permit-review targets | Building Permit Review Schedule |
| Home Improvement Program | The City reports that 2026 HIP funds have been fully used and expects a new funding cycle in 2027 |
Related Colorado Building Department Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who issues building permits in Centennial, Colorado?
The City of Centennial Building Division administers building permits, plan review, construction inspections and local contractor licensing for projects within City jurisdiction. Fire-code permits and reviews may also involve South Metro Fire Rescue.
2. Do I need a building permit for remodeling in Centennial?
A permit is generally required when remodeling involves structural alterations, changes to regulated building systems, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing work, additions, demolition or other work covered by the adopted codes. Confirm the exact permit classification before starting work.
3. How do I apply for a Centennial building permit?
Create or sign in to an account on the City’s Self-Service Portal, select Apply, choose the correct permit classification, add the project property and contacts, enter the scope and valuation, upload the required PDF documents, complete any required signature and submit the application.
4. How much does a building permit cost in Centennial?
Many building permit fees are calculated from project valuation using Centennial’s published fee table. When plan review is required, the published plan-review fee is 65% of the building permit fee. Construction-material use tax, trade fees and other project-specific charges may also apply.
5. How long does Centennial take to review a building permit?
The City’s published first-review targets range from one business day for qualifying One-Stop permits to 5, 10 or 15 business days for many residential and commercial plan-review applications. The clock depends on a complete submittal, and corrections or outside-agency approvals can extend the total process.
6. How do I schedule a building inspection in Centennial?
Sign in to the Self-Service Portal, open Dashboard, select Active, choose the permit number, open the Inspections tab and use the Action option for the required inspection. Requests for the next business day must be submitted before 3:30 p.m., but next-day service is not guaranteed.
7. Can a homeowner pull their own permit in Centennial?
Yes. Centennial allows an occupying homeowner to pull a permit when the homeowner will personally perform the work covered by the homeowner declaration. The Homeowners Agreement/Affidavit must be provided, and any contractors used must meet applicable City licensing requirements.
8. What building codes does Centennial use in 2026?
The current City list includes the 2021 IBC, IRC, IEBC, IECC, IMC, IPC, IFGC and ISPSC, the 2023 NEC, 2021 IFC enforced by South Metro Fire Rescue, the 2024 Centennial Property Maintenance Code and the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code. Local amendments also apply.
9. How can I look up an existing Centennial building permit?
Use the City’s Self-Service Portal to search available public permit information. Registered applicants can also sign in to review records connected to their account. For information not available through the portal, submit a City public-records request.
10. How long is a Centennial building permit active?
The City’s published permit process states that permits are active for 180 days after issuance. Because permit status can depend on construction activity, inspections and individual permit conditions, check the permit record or contact the Building Division if work has been delayed.
Before You Start Work
For a Centennial project, the safest sequence is simple: verify the address and jurisdiction, choose the correct permit classification, prepare complete plans and valuation information, submit through the official portal, pay the required invoice, wait for permit issuance, and schedule each inspection before covering regulated work. Keep the permit and approved plans available until the project is fully closed.