Different projects require different information. In general, two (2) sets of detailed plans and referral department information are needed. If Land Use approvals are necessary, proof of that approval will be required in every case before a building permit will be accepted. Submittal Requirements checklists are available at the Community Development Department public counter.

There are very few areas of new construction or repair that do not require permits. Each of the Uniform Codes specifies that all work requires permits and then lists exceptions to that rule. The safest course of action is to call the Building Division to determine if work that you propose to do requires a permit. A Permit Technician can be reached at (970) 920-5526 or FAX a sketch and description to a permit tech (970) 920-5439.

Examples are "painting, wall papering, carpet, tile, repairing leaky plumbing faucets, maintenance of mechanical equipment". Please see "When are Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, or Electrical Permits required?" above.

At this time, Aspen/Pitkin County has adopted, with local amendments, the 2003 Inerntional Residential Building, Mechanical, Plumbing Codes, 2002 National Electrical Code, the 2003 Aspen/Pitkin Energy Conservation Code (APECC), and the 2003 Aspen/Pitkin Efficient Building Code.

Building Valuation Data, Building Permit Fee Calculation Tables, and Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Fee Tables are available at the Community Development counter. If you require assistance in using these tables, our front counter Administrative Assistants can be reached at (970) 970-5526.

Processing of applications for new residential or commercial work in the City of Aspen and Pitkin County is expected to take 2-10 weeks. These time frames assume complete application information and no unforeseen problems with referral department approvals.

The UBC defines valuation of a building as "the estimated cost to replace the building and structure in kind based on current replacement costs."

(970) 920-5532 inspection line
Inspections must be made while the work is accessible and visible. Requests made before 7 AM will be performed on the same day. A handout for "When to Call for Inspections" is available at the public counter.

New buildings, or suites in buildings that were previously not occupied, require a Certificate of Occupancy. Also, significant changes in use of an existing building require a review culminating with a new Certificate of Occupancy. If, however, you propose to occupy a building or suite that was previously occupied by a similar use, a new Certificate of Occupancy is not required.

For asphalt composition roofing material, the Uniform Building Code allows the application of two additional layers of roofing material for a total of three.

A building permit application expires if not issued within 180 days from the application date. A building permit expires 180 days after work has been suspended or abandoned.

One, and only one, 180-day extension may be granted by the Building Official at no cost before application and/or permit expiration. A letter outlining the reason for the extension must be received before the expiration date.

Please contact the City of Aspen Finance Department at (970) 920-5040. Pitkin County does not require a business license.

A land use review may be required for the following types of development.

• Any development on a metes and bounds parcel or in a subdivision that is not approved by the Board of County Commissioners, particularly if the development is located:
  • On slopes with a 15 percent grade or greater,
  • Within floodplain, wetland or riparian areas,
  • Within mapped wildfire hazard areas,
  • Within mapped wildlife habitat areas,
  • Within a mapped area of geologic concern,
  • On an historic resource or site.
• A second dwelling unit on the site
• Development located within a mapped scenic or ridgeline boundary
• Changes to an existing land use approval or building envelope
• Development outside an approved building envelope
• A commercial use or structure (new or expansion)
• Any development within the Rural and Remote zone district
• Changes to a non-conforming use or structure
• Development which requires variances from zoning requirements, i.e. setbacks, height or floor area.
• To exceed 15,000 square feet of floor area
• To exceed five bedrooms
• Satellite dishes if more than one or greater than one meter in diameter