The cost of a building permit includes, but is not limited to: the building permit fee, sales tax and plan review fees. If you need additional information regarding building permit fees or assistance calculating fees, please contact Building Inspection at (303) 651-8332 or building.inspection@longmontcolorado.gov

Fee Manual

Planning & Development Services created the Fee Manual to provide customers an easy to use, comprehensive document listing the fees related to most development projects.  The fee manual includes fee information for the following types of fees:

• Electric Fees
• Fire Permits
• Impact and Development Fees
• Licensing
• Miscellaneous Inspections and Other Fees
• Plan Review Fees
• Primary Fee Table
• School District Fees
• Storm Water Drainage
• Water Fees

Click here to view the complete Fee Manual 2024

In conjunction with the Fee Manual, we have also created a comprehensive Development Guide. The Development Guide includes resources for staff, property owners, developers, consultants, and community members. It is intended to provide a better understanding of the City’s development review process.  Visit the Development Applications and Permits page to view the guide.

How Permit Fees Are Calculated

Permit fees are based on the project valuation. Building Inspection calculates this based on the project’s gross floor area (square feet) or scope of work multiplied by the applicable ICC “Building Valuation Data” or RS Means “Building Construction Cost Data.”

The ICC “Building Valuation Data” and RS Means “Building Construction Cost Data” are reviewed and adopted Longmont City Council annually. The “Building Valuation Data” is developed by the International Code Council (ICC), updated and published semiannually in the their quarterly “Building Safety Journal.” “Building Construction Cost Data” is updated and published annually by RS Means. Both ICC and RS Means provide “average” construction costs to assist jurisdictions in estimating the value of a project.

• The building permit fee is calculated by applying the determined project valuation or construction cost to the Primary Fee Table of the Fee Schedule.
• Sales tax is calculated by multiplying 50% of the determined project valuation, by the current city and county tax rate of 4.715%.
• The plan review fee is determined by applying the Plan Review Fees of the fee schedule to the project.
• Other fees may be applicable based on the type and scope of the project. Please consult with a Building Inspection Division Permit Technician for assistance in determining the correct total building permit fees due.
• The building permit fees can be paid by cash, check or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover).
• Up to $2,000 maximum per credit card transaction.  Transactions cannot be split to meet this requirement.

St. Vrain Valley School District Fees for New Residential Construction

The City of Longmont and the St.Vrain Valley School district have entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement concerning fair contributions for public school sites. This agreement was adopted by City Council in 1995 and was updated in June 2016 under Ordinance O-2016-40. The City of Longmont Building Inspection Division will require documentation from the school district showing the fees have been paid before a building permit for any new residential unit is issued. Please click here to visit the St. Vrain Valley School District website for more information about the fees required.

For more information about St Vrain Valley School District Fees for Residential New Construction, please contact: Kimberly Woolett, Email: woolett_kimberly@svvsd.org, Telephone: 303-682-7203

View Ordinance O-2016-40

Additional  Permit Information

Combination permit defined. A permit that is issued to the general contractor or the primary contractor and includes the subcontractor’s valuation and fees as a part of the permit.

Only a combination permit shall be issued where three or more trades are involved, such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical and building. A combination permit shall include the fees for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work.

Exception: The building official may allow separate permits to be issued when a general contractor is not required for the scope of work involved, or when approved by the building official.

Separate permits When work is done by a subcontractor and is not part of a combination permit, the valuation used to determine the permit fee will be based on the actual contract value of the work being done.