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Building

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1. During what hours is the Building Department open?

We are open Monday through Thursday 7am to 4pm in Fairplay. We are closed for holidays. Please check the Park County website for upcoming holidays. Inspections need to be scheduled no later than 5:00 p.m. the day before you need the inspection to occur.

2. What can I build without a permit?

The following do not require a building permit but still must conform to land use regulations.

• One story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, that do not exceed 200 sq. ft.
• Fences not over 6 feet high.
• Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall.
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, siding, and similar cosmetic work. (Non-structural)
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one and two- family dwellings.

Please contact Park County Planning and Zoning Department at 719-836-4254 or planner@parkco.us or refer to the county web site for current land use regulations.

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

Yes, all re-roofing projects need permits. The permit application is available on the web-site, at the office, or we can fax or mail you one. The fee is $200.00 for a complete re-roof and $100 for a repair of up to ½ 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.

4. 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.

5. I already have 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?

Please submit two sets of plans showing what you are planning to change and submit them to our office for a plan revision. The cost for plan revisions is $50.00 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. 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.

6. Do I need a permit to put a woodstove 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 woodstoves, furnaces, heating or air conditioning units. The permit fee is $200.00 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

7. 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 $100.00 and the permit is good for one year from the date of issuance. Permits

8. 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 permits requires:

• The warranty deed
• The approved planning and zoning sheet and the approved plot plan. Please contact Planning and Zoning @719-836-4254 or planner@parkco.us
• The ISDS (individual sewage disposal system) approval form. Please contact Environmental Health @ 719-836-4267 or pcehealth@parkco.us for details.
• A copy of your driveway permit. The only exception is that if the property already has a structure on it you do not need to provide the building department with a driveway permit.
• The necessary forms from the fire department or fire protection district you are in. Please contact the applicable fire district, Platte Canyon Fire Department @ 303-838-5853, Hartsel Fire Department @ 719-836-3500, Jefferson/Como at 719-836-2082 and Southern Fire Protection at 719-689-9479, to see what approvals you need from them and associated fees.
• A GOOD map with directions to the project, please no map-quest or internet maps.
• The completed homeowner statement of responsibility if you are doing the permit as an owner/builder.
• The completed homeowner statement of responsibility if you are doing the permit as an owner/builder.
• Two complete sets of construction drawings showing what you are planning to build and how you plan to build it.

Please note you must have the approvals 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.

9. How long are building permits good for?

All permits are valid for one year from the date of issuance. If progress is being made, permit can be extended for another one year for $100 renewal fee.

10. 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 and ISDS approval. Two copies of your floor plan showing how you plan to finish your basement are also required.

11. What is the frost depth in Park County?

The frost depth in Park County can be as deep as ten feet. The prescriptive minimum footer depth is 24” below finished grade, on undisturbed soil.

12. What is the building code for Park County?

Park County has adopted the following 2012 International codes.

The 2012 International Residential Code.
The 2012 International Building Code.
The 2012 International Mechanical Code.
The 2012 International Fuel Gas Code.

These code books can be purchased at the Park County Building Department or on-line at www.iccsafe.org

13. 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.

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

Please contact the Park County Planning and Zoning Department @ (719)-836-4254 or planner@parkco.us regarding this question.

15. Do I need a permit for a deck?

Yes. The Deck permit application is the same as the standard building permit application and the same application submittal requirements apply. Permits

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

Yes. Park County does license/register general contractors. Please see the Park County Contractor license information for complete details. Park County Contractor License Application

17. Does my shed require a permanent foundation?

Yes, because Park County is in a 110 mph wind zone. Sheds up to 200 square feet can be attached to minimum 8” caissons 24” below undisturbed soil. Sheds over 200 square feet shall be on a permanent foundation, i.e. monolithic or spread footing and stem wall or engineered piers.

18. Can I camp on my property?

A permit is required for camping more than two weeks per year and camping units may not be left on lots when not in use. For additional information, please contact the Planning Department at 719-836-4254.

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

Mobile homes are not allowed in Park County.

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

If your property is zoned Residential, the first structure on your property must be a dwelling. Please contact the Planning and Zoning Department @ 719-836-4254 or planner@parkco.us for this question.

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

Refer to 2012 International Residential Code Section R304.

22. 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 Dept @ 303-838-5853. If your project is anywhere near the Hartsel area, please contact the Hartsel Fire Dept @ 719-836-3500. If your project is southern Park County please contact the Southern Park County Fire Protection District @ 719-689-9479. These are the only areas this applies to at this time.

23. Can I put a modular or HUD home on my property?

Yes but you must have a general contractor who holds both his/her “Park County Contractor license/registration” and his/her “Colorado Division of Housing manufactured housing registration” 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

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

Park County contracts all plumbing and electrical with the State of Colorado, please contact them @ 303-894-7800 or online

25. Do my plans have to be engineered?

Yes, because Park County is in a special wind load and special snow load area, Park County will require that plans carry the stamp of a Colorado Registered Structural Engineer. Please remember the more complete your plans are the faster your plan review process will go.

26. Can I build my own home?

Yes, Park County does allow home-owner builders. However, the only stipulation is that the structure cannot be offered for sale until after the Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Home-owner builders can only build one dwelling as owner/builder every four years after the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

27. What do building permits cost?

Approximate building permit fees can be found here.

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

The snow loads in Park County depends on the location of the project. You can obtain snow loads for specific locations on our website by searching with the schedule number of the property. Our website will have a “Snow Load Map” to determine to ground snow loads for the location of the project. The map is a digitalized form from the SEAC 2016 snow loads and should be used with the adjustment factors in ASCE 7 to be converted into roof snow loads. The wind load is 110 MPH per the 2012 International Residential and Building Code.”

The wind load is 110 MPH per the 2012 International Residential and Building Code.

Snow Load for Structure

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 e-mailed to you.

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

Please submit an information request form, which is available on our website, or call to have it Faxed or mailed to you. Once submitted, we will get back to you as soon as possible. (Sometimes on 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 within three business days.

32. How often do I need to get an inspection to keep my permit valid?

Code requires that work commences within 180 days of permit issuance, and that progress be made every 180 days. If work proceeds but cannot be completed within one year, you can request a permit renewal.