1. Who does electrical inspections?
2. How much does a permit cost?
3. What information do I need to submit for a permit?
4. What work do I need a permit for?
5. Why do I need a building permit?
6. What contractor's licensing is required in the County?
7. What Codes does the County use?
8. Can I get a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy?
9. What must I do to to split off a 35 acre tract of land?
10. Can I get a well permit for my new parcel?
11. Do I qualify for an exemption from the definition of 'subdivision'?

1. Who does electrical inspections?

The State Electrical Inspector - 1-877-314-1094 or 1-877-320-9150.

2. How much does a permit cost?

Permit cost is based on the total valuation of the building with fees assessed in accordance with the code. The valuation is determined by multiplying the square footage of living space, garage, decks crawl spaces by different factors ($/sq. ft.) established by the County and Building Standards magazine. These separate areas of the house are added up to provide for a total valuation. The code then applies a fee based on the total valuation. Different factors apply to different occupancies such as banks, hospitals, offices or warehouses. Once again, the code applies fees based on the total valuation of the building.

3. What information do I need to submit for a permit?

Please see Single Family (stick built) residence, Manufactured home, Commercial or Multi-Family info page.

4. What work do I need a permit for?

Basically, any new construction or alteration of an existing building or structure in the County requires a permit. Exempt from permit requirements are buildings used for the sole purpose of agricultural uses. Please see agricultural buildings. Recreational cabins are exempted from the permitting requirements. Please see recreational cabin. Also exempt are 1) One story detached buildings used as storage, playhouses or similar buildings not over 200 sq. ft for residential, and 120 sq. ft for Commercial; 2) fences not over 6-ft tall; 3) Oil derricks; 4) retaining walls not over 4 ft; 6) water tanks on grade not over 5,000 Gal; 7) platforms, walks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade; 8) painting, papering, and similar finish work; 9) Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R occupancy when projecting not more than 54 in,; and 10) prefab aboveground pools not over 5000-gal.

5. Why do I need a building permit?

Put bluntly, it is the law. Building permits and the permitting process with inspections protects the public from unsafe conditions with structures. Also structures built without a permit cannot be insured. Insurance companies investigate claims. If a building was built without a permit, insurance would not pay a claim related to the building.

6. What contractor's licensing is required in the county?

Garfield County does not require general contractors to be licensed. State law does require electricians and plumbers to be licensed. Different jurisdictions require different licensing. Be sure to check the jurisdiction you are building in.

7. What codes does the county use?

We are using the 2009 I codes including the IFC. Check with your local fire district for approved amendments. In addition, our snowloads up to 7000-ft of elevation are 40-psf measured at the roof, wind shear of 90mph exposure B, Seismic zone B, and a frost depth of 36" to 8000-ft of elevation. Snowloads change with elevation and apply to modular homes as well as other structures.

8. Can I get a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy?

The county does not issue T.C.Os. The following items are required for the final inspection and subsequent Certificate of Occupancy.:
1. Electric final inspection.
2. Permanent address on building.
3. A finished roof, a lockable house, completed siding and soffits, exterior windows and doors installed, a completed kitchen with cabinets, sink with hot and cold water, non-absorbent floors, counter tops and finished walls ready for appliances.
4. A complete bathroom with washbowl, tub or shower, hot and cold running water, non-absorbent floors, and privacy door.
5. All steps outside or inside with more than 3 risers must have a handrail. Guardrails on balconies or decks over 30-in high need to be built according to the Code.
6. Outside grading away from the house for proper drainage.
7. Final state installation inspection for modular. The final inspection may include items not list above that are code related.

9. What must I do to to split off a 35-acre tract of land?

There is no review or approval by the Planning Commission or Board of County Commissioners if the 35-acre or larger tract does not result in a tract or parcel of land less than 35-acres in size. A deed may be filed in the Clerk and Recorders Office for the new tract. A survey of the new parcel may have to filed with the County Surveyor, but it is not required as a part of any subdivision approval.

10. Can I get a well permit for my new parcel?

The Colorado Division of Water Resources is responsible for the issuance of well permits in the State of Colorado. The County has no jurisdiction over the issuance of a well permit. For further questions check our the Colorado Division of Water Resources website or call the Division of Water Resources in Glenwood Springs at (970) 945-5665.

11. Do I qualify for an exemption from the definition of 'subdivision'?

Article 5 of the Garfield County Subdivision Regulations establishes the criteria for requesting approval of an exemption from the definition. The basic requirement is that the original parcel, from which the smaller parcels are to be split off, must have been at least 35 acres or larger in size on January 1, 1973. Proof of that is verified by finding the deed of record in the Clerk and Recorders office, on January 1, 1973. This information must be provided with the application.

If the tract meets the above criteria, there is one other significant requirement that must be met to qualify for an exemption. Each parcel, must have a legal, adequate source of domestic water.

- This means that the application will have to include either approved well permits from the State or at a minimum, approved contracts for augmentation water from one of the water conservation districts.

- Having a well permit application, without an approved augmentation contract is not acceptable. The State Division of Water Resources does advise people that they will approve a well permit, if the County approves the parcel by resolution and/or plat. We will not approve an exemption without the source of domestic water already being legally approved.

- Cisterns can be considered to be a legal source, provided there is a irrevocable contract with a water supplier, such as one of the municipal supplies.

There are other criteria, but they are adequacy issues, not qualification issues. If someone demands to be put on a commissioner's agenda, even though they do not qualify, they should be given the opportunity. There needs to be a letter in the file, stating that staff is advising against going forward with an application that does not meet the criteria.