Which Building Permit Type Is Best for Me?

The building permit types in eTRAKiT are divided into three categories: commercial, residential and other. Please note that new or alterations to existing apartments or condominiums are considered commercial projects; this includes remodels to existing condo units. The "Other" category includes administrative or non-construction-related permit types.

Commercial Permit Types

Commercial New Construction (CNEW) for…new apartment buildings, condominiums, foundation-only construction, mixed-use buildings, core and shell buildings and other

Commercial Alteration (CALT) for …tenant improvements, systems furniture installations, condo remodels, asbestos remediation, reroofs, foundation repairs, changes of occupancy, metal stud work, common area improvements and other alterations to existing commercial buildings.

Commercial Addition (CADD) for…new additions to existing buildings and new additions that also include alterations to the existing building.

Commercial Accessory Structure Commercial Accessory Structure (CACC) for…cellular towers/poles, retaining walls, fences over 42 inches, sheds, flagpoles over 30 feet, sheeting and shoring, public swimming pools, gazebos, hot tubs, tower cranes, ramps, sheds or similar accessory structures.

Commercial Demolition (CDEMO) for… interior-only demolitions, whole building demolitions, partial building demolitions or other commercial-related demolitions.

Sign (SIGN) for…signs mounted on exterior walls, monumental signs, free-standing signs or temporary signs.

Commercial Electrical (CELEC) for…new or temporary services, solar installations, public electric vehicle charging stations, meter restorations or other electric-only projects.

Commercial Plumbing/Gas (CPLMB) for…sewer repairs over 10 feet, boilers, water heaters, backflow preventors, water softeners, piping or other plumbing-only projects.

Commercial Mechanical/Gas (CMECH) for…air conditioners, furnaces, kitchen hoods, gas appliances, meter restorations, ductwork or other HVAC-only projects.

Commercial Miscellaneous (CMISC) for…tanks, high pile storage, sales trailers, fire sprinklers, satellite dishes or other commercial projects that don’t quite fit other types.

Residential Permit Types

Residential New Construction (RNEW) for…custom detached homes, duplexes and mobile homes; and detached houses, townhouses and duplexes permitted off of a previously-approved master model.

Residential Addition (RADD) for… additions, decks, garages, patio covers, barns, sunrooms, second story additions (pop-tops), additions with interior alterations to existing areas or other attached or detached structures added to existing houses.

Residential Alteration (RALT) for…basement finishes, interior remodels, truss repairs, foundation repairs, fireplaces, woodstoves, new stairways, basement egresses or other alterations to existing houses.

Residential Accessory Structure (RACC) for…fences over 6 feet, flagpoles over 30 feet, sheds, gazebos, hot tubs, swimming pools ramps, pergolas or other similar structures that are accessory to an existing house.

Residential Master Model (RMSTR) for…standard plans associated with detached homes, townhouses and duplexes in subdivisions. This permit type is for plan review only and will be referenced in future Residential New Construction permits for actual construction activity in individual lots.

Residential Demolition (RDEMO) for…partial building demolitions, whole house demolitions and demolitions of interior elements.

Residential Electrical (RELEC) for…solar installations, service changes, temporary services, electric vehicle charging stations, meter restorations or other electrical-only projects.

Residential Plumbing/Gas (RPLMB) for…sewer repairs over 10 feet, boilers, water heaters, water softeners, backflow preventors, piping or other plumbing-only projects.

Residential Mechanical/Gas (RMECH) for…air conditioners, furnaces, gas appliances, ductwork, gas meter restorations or other HVAC-only projects.

Residential Miscellaneous (RMISC) for…sales offices in garages, illegal marijuana conversions or other residential projects that don’t quite fit other types.

Other Permit Types

Certificate of Occupancy/Completion (CO) for…initiating the process to obtain a certificate of occupancy, temporary certificate of occupancy, certificate of completion or temporary certificate of completion on a previously issued permit. Learn more about Certificate of Occupancy.

Temporary Event and Use (TEU) for…block parties, parades, flea markets, carnivals, festivals, community events, Christmas tree sales, construction trailers and other short-term uses. Learn more about Temporary Event and Use.

Administrative (ADMIN) for…code modification requests, applications to the Board of Building Code Appeals and alternate methods and material requests.

If you apply in error for a permit type that is not relevant to your project, Commerce City staff will make corrections to your application. You may receive notice that the application has been transferred to a new permit record number associated with the correct permit type. The fees that were paid upon application will also transfer.