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Building

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1. I have already submitted my plans for a permit or I already have my building permit and I want to make some changes to my blueprints / field plans. What is the process?

You are required to draw up two sets of plans showing what you are planning on changing and submit them to our office for a plan revision. The cost for plan revisions is $47.00 per hour for every hour it takes to review the new plans, with a two hour minimum. If you are adding square footage to your project you will also be charged the standard new building square footage price for the additional area you are adding. Plan revisions do have to go through the standard plan review process that usually runs two weeks. Please be aware that you will not be able to receive any inspections while your revision is in plan review.

2. My septic, driveway, planning and zoning sheet, and plot plan are already approved. Does the Building Department already have copies on record?

No, the Building Department, the Planning and Zoning Department, and the Environmental Health Department are totally separate departments and we don’t share paperwork. Please make copies of all necessary paperwork from other departments before coming to the Building Department.

3. Do I need a permit to re-roof my house, garage, barn, or shed?

Yes, all re-roofing projects require permits. The permit application is available on the website, at the office, or we can fax or mail you one. The fee is $200 for a complete re-roof and $100 for a repair of up to half of the roof. Both permits are good for one year from the date of issuance. If you are re-roofing more then one structure on your property you will need a permit for each structure. As long as all inspections can be done at the same time the permit for the second, and/or third structure will be permitted at the $100 roofing repair price.
Permits

4. During what hours is the Building Department open?

We are open Monday through Thursday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm in Fairplay. We are closed for all federal holidays. Please check our recorder for upcoming holidays. We accept plans for review until 5:00 pm every day

5. How do I get to the Building Department?

The Building Department office is located in Fairplay at 1246 County Road 16. County Road 16 is located east of Highway 285. Turn East (left) traveling from Denver just before the Phillips 66 Gas Station. Traveling North on Hwy 285 you would turn East (right) just after the Phillips 66 Gas Station. Other County offices that you will need to contact are also located at this same address, such as the Environmental Health Department and the Planning Department.

6. What can I build without a permit?

The following do not require a building permit but still must conform to land use regulations. Please contact Park County Planning and Zoning Department at (719) 836-4254 or by Email for current land use regulations.

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses that do not exceed 120 square feet
• Fences not over six feet high
• Retaining walls that are not over four feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall
• Sidewalks and driveways not more then 30 inches above the adjacent grade, not over basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, siding, and similar cosmetic work (non-structural)
• Swings and other playground equipment that is accessory to detached one-family and two-family dwellings

7. Do I need a permit to put a wood stove in my house?

Yes, you are required to have a permit for any type of mechanical work on your dwelling or other structure. Mechanical work includes, but is not limited to, installing wood stoves, furnaces, and heating or air conditioning units. The permit fee is $100 and the application is available on our website, at the office, or we can fax or mail you one, the permit is good for one year from the date of issuance.
Permits

8. Do I need a permit to tear down a structure, or any portion thereof?

Yes, any demolition work requires a permit. The demolition permit applications are available on our website, at our office, or we can fax or mail you one. The fee is $100 and the permit is good for one year from the date of issuance.
Permits

9. I just want to build a garage, addition, deck, or finish my basement, do I really need all the submittal documents listed on the building permit application?

Yes, any type of addition, alteration, remodel, garage, or deck permit requires:

• The warranty deed, the approved planning and zoning sheet, and the approved plot plan - Please contact Planning and Zoning at (719) 836-4254 or by Email.
• The ISDS (individual sewage disposal system) approval form - Please contact Environmental Health at (719) 836-4267 or by Email for details.
• A copy of your driveway permit - The only exception is if the property already has a structure on it, you do not need to provide the building department with a driveway permit.
• Necessary forms for the fire departments if you are in the Bailey or Hartsel fire protection districts - Please contact the Platte Canyon Fire Department at (303) 838-5853 and the Hartsel Fire Department at (719) 836-3500 to see if you are in their fire protection districts and what approvals you need from them.
• A detailed map with directions to the project; please, no MapQuest or internet maps
• The completed homeowner statement of responsibility if you are doing the permit as an owner / builder
• The ILC (improvements location certificate) waiver at permit submittal or an ILC before the final inspection
• Two complete sets of construction drawings showing what you are planning to build and how you plan to build it.

Please note you are required to have the approval from the other departments before you submit your application to the building department and you must submit all required documents at the same time, partial submittals will not be accepted.

10. How long are building permits good for?

Additions, Agricultural, Barns, Dwellings, Fire Stations, Industrial Plants, Public Works Water, and Utility Buildings are valid for three years from the date of issue.

Alterations, Basement Finish, Decks, Demolition, Excavation, Fences, Finish shell, Foundations, Garages, Greenhouses, Mechanical, Remodels, Roofing Sheds, Shop/Studios permits are valid for one year from the date of issue.

Note: Any one of these permits can be extended for 1 year for a $50.00 renewal fee.

Please Note: Effective November 1, 2012.

11. Do I need a permit to finish my basement?

Yes, in order to obtain a basement finish permit you are required to turn in a completed building permit application with all the necessary paperwork called for in the building permit application including Planning and Zoning approval and individual sewage disposal system (ISDS) approval. Two copies of your floor plan showing how you plan to finish your basement are also required.

12. What is the frost depth in Park County?

The frost depth in Park County can be as deep as 10 feet so the minimum bottom of the footing requirement is 12 inches below undisturbed soil.

13. What is the building code for Park County?

Park County has adopted the following 2006 International codes:

• The 2006 International Residential Code
• The 2006 International Building Code
• The 2006 International Mechanical Code
• The 2006 International Fuel Gas Code

These code books can be purchased at the Park County Building Department online from the International Code Council.

14. Can I have someone other then myself or a licensed / registered contractor drop off and/or pick up permits for me?

Yes, as long as the homeowner sends a notarized letter giving that person permission / authority to sign as an agent for the applicant.

15. Can I live in a trailer on my property while I build my house?

Please contact the Park County Planning and Zoning Department at (719) 836-4254 or by Email regarding this question.

16. Do I need a permit for a deck?

Yes, the deck permit application is the same as the standard building permit application and you do need to get Planning and Zoning approval through the Park County Planning and Zoning Department and individual septic disposal system (ISDS) approval through the Park County Environmental Health Department prior to turning in your deck permit to the Park County Building Department.
Permits

17. Does Park County require contractors to be licensed / registered?

Yes, Park County does license / register general contractors, mechanical contractors, roofing contractors, manufactured home set contractors, and excavation contractors. Please see the Park County Contractor license information for complete details.
Park County Contractor License Application

18. Does my shed require a permanent foundation?

You can build up to a 600 square foot storage structure, and it can be built without a permanent foundation. Please note any storage shed over 120 square feet does require a building permit.

19. Can I camp on my property?

Please contact the Park County Planning and Zoning Department at (719) 836-4254 or by Email regarding this question.

20. Can I put a mobile home on my property?

Please contact the Park County Planning and Zoning Department at (719) 836-4254 or by Email regarding this question.

21. Can I put a shed or a garage on my property prior to a house?

Please contact the Park County Planning and Zoning Department at (719) 836-4254 or by Email regarding this question.

22. What is the smallest cabin / house I can build?

Recent changes to the Park County Land Use Regulations eliminate the previous minimum dwelling size of 600 square feet. The Building Department has been approached by a number of people inquiring as to the minimum square footage required by the adopted building code.

Our current codes do not specify a minimum square footage. However, the 2006 International Building Code does address “efficiency dwelling units” in section 1208.4. This section of the adopted code states that the dwelling shall have the following:

1) Living room of not less then 220 square feet with an additional 100 square feet for every occupant in excess of two people.

2) Separate closet.

3) Kitchen sink, cooking appliance and a refrigeration unit, each having a clear working space of not less then 30 inches.

4) Separate bathroom with a water closet, lavatory, shower and/or bathtub.

5) All light, ventilation and life safety requirements must be met regardless of dwelling size

Furthermore, in cases where the efficiency dwelling unit is not a component of a multi-unit structure provisions for mechanical equipment (heat, hot water, pressure tank, etc) will be required as well.

As there are many ways to approach the design of a dwelling there is not a hard and fast rule on the minimum dwelling size. Please keep in mind the above requirements if attempting a minimal sized dwelling. Please note: this only applies to stick built dwellings. Modular and Manufactured dwelling still require a 600 sq. foot footprint at grade level per the Park County Land Use Regulations.

23. Do I need the fire mitigation listed in the building permit guide?

It depends on where your project is located. If your project is in the Bailey area please contact the Platte Canyon Fire Department at (303) 838-5853. If your project is anywhere near the Hartsel area please contact the Hartsel Fire Department at (719) 836-3500. If your project is southern Park County please contact the Southern Park County Fire Protection District at (719) 689-9479. These are the only areas this applies to at this time.

24. Can a put a manufactured home on my property?

Yes, but you must have a general contractor who holds both a Park County Contractor license / registration and a Colorado Division of Housing manufactured housing registration that is responsible for the entire project. Park County does not allow homeowner builders to do their own manufactured projects. Please contact the Building Department for a list of licensed / registered installers.
Park County Contractor License Application

25. How do I get a plumbing or electrical permit?

Park County contracts all plumbing and electrical with the State of Colorado, please contact them at (303) 894-2985 or online from Colorado DORA Plumbers or Colorado DORA Electrical Board.

26. Do my plans have to be engineered?

For standard conventional construction, we do not require engineered plans to be submitted for a permit. However, if the plans examiner and/or inspector finds something of concern he may require engineering at any time. Please remember the more complete your plans are the faster your plan review process will go.

27. Can I build my own home?

Yes, Park County does allow homeowner builders. However, the only stipulation is that the structure cannot be offered for sale until after the Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Homeowner builders can only build one dwelling every four years after the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

28. What are the snow and wind loads for Park County?

The snow loads in Park County depend on the elevation of the project. The minimum snow load is 50 pounds per square foot. In order to determine snow loads for individual permits, you will need to know the physical address of the property, the legal description (including township, section, and range, the subdivision if applicable), and the nearest town. Once you have this information please fill out our Park County Building Snow Load Request Form and Fax to (719)836-4268 or Email. We will then send you the exact snow load for your project

The wind load is 110 mph per the 2006 International Residential Code and the 2006 International Building Code countrywide.

29. Can I just build a primitive / weekend / hunting cabin without water, sewer, electrical, or plumbing?

No, there is a minimum standard of living that states all buildings used for the purposes of sleeping must have electrical, plumbing, sanitation facilities, and running water.

30. What inspections are needed and in what order are they required?

Please refer to the Park County Inspection Information document available on our website or call (719) 836-4255 to have a copy faxed or emailed to you.
Park County Inspection Information

31. How do I find out if there were ever any building permits on a property?

There is an information request form that you need to fill out that provides your contact information, the property information, and what information you are looking for. You can get the forms online at our website, or we can fax, mail, or email you one. You can come to the Fairplay office and we will look for your request while you wait or you can fax, mail, or email your request in and we will get back to you as soon as possible (usually the same business day, but requests can take up to three business days). Please note: Large complex requests can take longer and may not be able to be done while you wait or take more than three business days.
Information Request Form