The quick test is where the lot sits. Inside Durango city limits, the City issues permits. In the unincorporated county, La Plata County does. Different offices, different rules, and the penalty for guessing wrong is steep.
When does the City of Durango require a building permit?
The city's permit guide lists the projects that need one. A permit comes before any construction or ground disturbance. The common ones for homeowners:
| Project | Permit needed when |
|---|---|
| Accessory building | Larger than 120 square feet |
| Deck | Covered, or more than 30 inches above grade |
| Roof replacement | More than 25% of the roof |
| Residential remodel | Addition, structural work or a change to exits |
| Windows and siding | Any replacement or repair (new permit since April 1, 2026) |
| Solar | All installations |
| New house, duplex or townhouse | Always |
| Mechanical systems | Any addition, replacement or repair |
Retaining walls over 30 inches need a separate permit from Engineering, and walls over 6 feet need a structural engineer. Fences need a fence permit rather than a building permit. Digging more than 10 cubic yards on private land needs an on-site excavation permit.
What can you build without a permit?
One-story sheds and playhouses of 120 square feet or less. Platforms and walks not over 30 inches above grade. Painting, papering and similar finish work. Playground equipment. Swapping a plumbing fixture without moving any lines. Even then, the Land Use and Development Code still applies, so setbacks and height limits do not disappear. Call the Planning Division when in doubt.
What happens if you skip the permit?
The city states that any work done without a required permit is charged triple the building permit fee. That is the main reason to ask first. In the East Third Avenue Historic District or on a landmarked property, even painting needs an Alterations Certificate.
How do you apply, and how long does it take?
Apply through the city's OpenGov online portal. The application page asks you to allow at least 30 business days for any submittal, and resubmittals add time. No fees are due when you submit. They come due when the permit is issued. Questions go to Building@DurangoCo.Gov.
A few rules catch homeowners:
- Contractors need a valid City of Durango business license.
- Homeowners may do their own plumbing and electrical work. A hired plumber or electrician must be state licensed.
- Electrical permits come from the State of Colorado. The application page says the city took over plumbing and gas permits on July 1, 2026.
- Projects in Three Springs and Twin Buttes need design review committee approval first.
What does a permit cost?
It depends on the project. Building permit fees follow a national valuation table from the International Code Council. Roofing, solar, window and siding permits are simpler. They cost $125 plus use tax for residential work, per the city's fee page. Use tax is figured at 1.75% of the project's value. A failed inspection brings a $125 reinspection fee. New homes also pay impact fees, including one to the Durango Fire Protection District. A new fee schedule took effect September 1, 2026, so confirm numbers before you budget.
What about outside city limits?
La Plata County requires building permits for all new structures, additions, remodels and placement of manufactured homes in unincorporated areas. Owners must show approval for driveway access, sewage disposal and drinking water (La Plata County). The county adopted the 2024 International Code Council code family on June 23, 2026. Septic systems go through County Public Health, and wells go through the state. The Building Department's number is 970-382-6251.
Planning a bigger job? Our home services guide shows how to vet contractors. The directory lists local general contractors and architects. A contractor who works for you in town needs a city license, as our answer on getting a business license in Durango explains. If your lot is not on city sewer, read about pumping a septic tank in La Plata County.