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Building Permit Exemptions

R105.2 Work exempt from permit. Permits shall not be required for the following. Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.

Residential Buildings: 2006 International Residential Code as amended.

  1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet nor 12 feet in height.
  2. Fences not over 6 feet high.
  3. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge. Retaining walls used for agriculture irrigation ditches are exempt.
  4. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
  5. Platforms and decks intended for human occupancy or walking that are determined not to be playground or play equipment, walks, ramps and driveways, all of which are not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and are not over any basement or story below.
  6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work
  7. Prefabricated and portable swimming or wading pools, hot tubs or spas when the walls are entirely above grade and which cannot contain water more than twenty-four (24) inches deep.
  8. Swings and other play or playground equipment including elevated playhouses not exceeding (120) square feet of floor area nor eight (8) feet in height measured from the floor to the highest point of such structure, designed and used exclusively for play. (See tree house handout for additional information)
  9. Window awnings on Group R, Division 3 and Group U Occupancies that projecting not more than 54 inches, window replacement requiring no structural alteration and when such work is determined not to be historically significant, storm window, storm door and rain gutter installation. (See window replacement handout for additional information)
  10. Roofing repair or replacement work not exceeding one hundred square feet of covering per building.
  11. Minor work valued at less than two thousand dollars ($2000) when such minor work does not involve alteration of structural components, fire-rated assemblies, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire-extinguishing systems, or repairs and clean up of dangerous buildings.

Gas & Mechanical: See 2006 International Residential Code work exempt

Plumbing: Change last paragraph to read as follows:

The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, the removal and replacement of fixtures, including the same size or smaller water heater, by State licensed plumbers, provided such repairs or replacements do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or vents.

In addition to exemptions specified in the Code and amendments, the following items are exempt from building permits when complying with Larimer County handout:

  • Agricultural windmills used for the purpose of water generation are exempt from obtaining a building permit. Also, any decorative windmill or private wind generator that is twelve (12) feet or less in height does not require a building permit. (See windmill handout for additional information)
  • Manufacturer's engineered portable agriculture building that have no more than 3 enclosed sides, totally open on one long side, and less than 400 square feet in floor area.. A plot plan must be submitted showing allowable setback building envelope & a miscellaneous permit required. (See portable agriculture handout for additional information)