Quick Permits
Quick permits are trade-specific permits that can be issued without the need for a plan review.
These permits are usually issued after the applicant has obtained a general commercial or residential construction permit. Most building projects in the city of Denver -- including new construction, remodeling and repairs -- require general construction permits to allow construction, and then trade-specific permits for each part of the project.
Homeowners obtaining their own permits cannot apply online or via email, but must bring their photo I.D. and apply in person at the permit counter. Check in for the "quick permits" line. View counter hours and location here.
Please note: Structural modifications can NOT be permitted as a quick permit, including green roofs.
Find applications and quick permit criteria below.
All exterior work on landmarks/historic buildings or structures located in landmark/historic districts requires approval from Landmark Preservation staff before applying for a quick permit.
Quick permits for roofing/siding or any other exterior work in landmark or historic districts cannot be issued via e-permits. Submit via email or in person.
How to apply
For minor work requiring quick permits but introducing little to no visible change to a historic structure or property:
- Email the Landmark Quick Review application form (PDF) to Landmark Staff at landmark@denvergov.org. Landmark quick review applications are typically processed within 1 business day.
- Then, submit your quick permit application (located in the drop-down menus below) to quickpermits@denvergov.org.
Quick review approvals may be issued by Landmark Preservation staff for like-for-like replacement of the following existing exterior features providing that the applicable design guidelines and standards are met:
- rear yard decks and porches (must demonstrate no change in size, height, materials and ornament)
- rear yard fences (no change in height, openness and materials)
- 1-2 flat profile skylights
- sheds not on foundations (less than 100 square feet)
- exterior HVAC work (no change in geometry, demand or materials)
- simple exterior mechanical work
- reroofing (no change in materials)
For more significant alterations, visit the Landmark Design Review webpage for guidelines and instructions on how to apply.
Permit application
What’s allowed under a boiler and commercial A/C quick permit
Single-family and duplex structures and garages
- Heat exchangers
- Potable hot water (over 200,000 BTU)
- Radiant heating
- Baseboard heating
- Boilers, hot water or steam (cast iron, steel, low-pressure)
- Piping (gas, steam, or hot water)
Multifamily or commercial structures
Like-for-like replacements of the following — no new installs — and the replacement does not have a change in geometry, demand, or material:
- Piping (fuel oil, process, gas, hot water, steam)
- Heat exchangers
- Pressure vessels
- Boilers, hot water or steam (cast iron, steel, high-pressure, low-pressure)
- Potable hot water heaters
- Commercial pool heater
- Radiant heating
- Baseboard heating
- Refrigeration with condenser water piping, refrigerant piping, split system
- Roof-top units
The boiler and refrigeration items listed below CANNOT be permitted under a quick permit. Apply in person at the walk-through counter for the following:
- Walk-in coolers/freezers
- Chillers
- Cooling towers
- Incinerators
- Crematories
- Oil burner systems
Permit application
What’s allowed under an electrical quick permit
Single-family and duplex structures only
- New service rated 200 amps or less
- Service change rated 200 amps or less
- Panels, subpanels etc., as long as the service is rated 200 amps or less. Only single-phase services are allowed - three-phase services will require a review of engineered plans.
- Appliances
- Interior/exterior wiring or rewiring of the home and/or garage as long as the service is rated 200 amps or less
- Disconnect switches
- Temporary service with utility meter for construction power, as long as the service is rated 200 amps or less
- New or replacement mechanical equipment, as long as the service is rated 200 amps or less
Multifamily or commercial structures
Minor Work Only:
- Fewer than 10 new circuits that do not exceed 20 amps/120 volts or 277 volts each
- All new circuits must be single pole
- Relocating lights, no new lights added
- Relocating outlets
The electrical items listed below CANNOT be permitted under a quick permit. All of the work below, except for special events, will require stamped and signed, engineered plans brought in person to the electrical walk-through counter for review.
- Solar
- Residential solar/PV systems under 10kW go to the electrical walk-through counter.
- Solar 10kW and above must go to the Log In counter.
- All commercial solar must go to the Log In counter.
- Feeders
- Transformers
- Other electrical distribution (UPS, transfer switches, etc.)
- New, replacement, or upgraded services over 200 amps for single-family/duplex
- New, replacement, or upgraded services (of any rating) for multifamily/commercial
- Panels, subpanels, etc. for multifamily/commercial
- All electrical work for single-family/duplex, including new/replacement panels, subpanels, etc., if the service is rated over 200 amps
- Temporary services for multifamily/commercial structures, including temporary construction services
- Special events lasting no longer than 72 hours without prior permission
What’s allowed under a mechanical quick permit
Single-family and duplex structures and garages
- Compressor units
- Ductwork
- Evaporative cooling units
- Exhaust systems
- Fireplaces (prefab metal, gas log, gas piping, gas vent)
- Forced air heating systems
- Gas piping
- Make-up air units
- Range hoods
- Residential A/C*
- Roof-top units (10 tons or less)
- Through-wall heaters
- Unit heaters
- Ventilating systems
- Water heaters
*The building permit for a residential A/C can be issued as a quick permit. Zoning reviews are done at the single-family/duplex walk-through counter.
Multifamily or commercial structures
Like-for-like replacements of the following — no new installs — and the replacement does not have a change in geometry, demand, or material:
- Compressor units
- Ductwork
- Evaporative cooling units
- Exhaust systems
- Fireplaces (prefab metal, gas log, gas piping, gas vent)
- Forced air heating systems
- Gas piping
- Make-up air units
- Medical gas
- Roof-top units
- Through-wall heaters
- Unit heaters
- Ventilating systems
- Water heaters
Ensure that replacement equipment meets current IECC efficiency standards, which will need to be verified upon inspection.
The mechanical items listed below CANNOT be permitted under a quick permit. Apply in person at the walk-through counter for the following:
- Duct, stock, and vapor removal systems
- Repair/replace of equipment for which the system was not originally designed (e.g., replacing equipment under a kitchen hood for which the hood was not originally designed)
- Repairs/replacements that are not like-for-like or that require other associated upgrades (e.g., replacing toilet fixtures in a commercial restroom that may require ADA improvements, or replacing gas-fired equipment with higher efficiency equipment that might also require a new chimney liner or separate flue)
Permit application
What’s allowed under a plumbing quick permit
Single-family and duplex structures and garages
- Back flow preventers
- Dishwasher
- Drinking fountain
- Floor drain
- Garbage disposals
- Gas piping outlets
- Showers, tubs, and sinks
- Swimming pool heater* and piping
- Washer
- Water closets and urinals
- Water heaters
- Water service
- Water softeners
*The building permit for a pool heater can be issued as a quick permit. Zoning reviews are done at the single-family/duplex walk-through counter.
Multifamily or commercial structures
Like-for-like replacements of the following — no new installs — and the replacement does not have a change in geometry, demand, or material:
- Back flow preventers
- Dishwasher
- Drinking fountain
- Floor drain
- Garbage disposals
- Gas piping outlets
- Showers, tubs, and sinks
- Swimming pool piping
- Washer
- Water closets and urinals
- Water heaters
- Water service (New water service lines can be done on a quick permit but are not yet available in e-permits. Please continue to apply via email for this in the meantime.)
- Water softeners
The plumbing items listed below CANNOT be permitted under a quick permit. Apply in person at the walk-through counter for the following:
- Fire lines
- Grease interceptors
Permit application
A roof permit is always applied for separately from the general construction permit, even for new construction. All roofing/siding work on landmarks or in historic districts must be first approved by Landmark Preservation (PDF).
What’s allowed under a roofing/siding quick permit
- New roofs
- Roof repair/replacement
- New roof penetrations
- Exterior wall coverings
- Blown-in insulation
- Soffit/fascia work
The roofing/siding items listed below CANNOT be permitted under a quick permit. Apply in person at the Log In counter for the following:
- Green roofs
- Changing the structural framing of the roof (e.g., going from a flat to a pitched roof) or structural repair
Denver Green Roof Ordinance
As of January 1, 2018, new and replacement roofs on buildings over 25,000 square feet must meet the Denver Green Roof Ordinance, unless exempted.
Green roof permits cannot be issued as a quick permit; the entire roof must be logged in for plan review.
Some projects do not require building permits. See more detailed information in the Denver Building Code (PDF), Section 130.3 Exempted Work.
Other Permits May be Required
Please note: A permit from Wastewater, Zoning, or the Fire Department may be required even if a building permit is not required. You may also need to consult Public Works if you need a permit for a street closure. If you think your planned work is exempt, please contact Development Services to be sure.
Apply online!
Applications for quick permits are now fully online!
(1) Review the criteria for your quick permit in the drop-down menus. No need to download any applications.
(2) Verify that your contractor's license is valid for the work you intend to do and that you have an accurate email address on file with Contractor Licensing.
(3) Enter the e-Permits system here! Create an account, add your license, apply for your permit, and pay. Print your permit to display at the job site, then use e-Permits to schedule inspections when you are ready.
(1) Review the criteria for your quick permit and download the application using the drop-down menus on this page. Applications are also available here.
- In the “contractor remarks” section on the application, write “over the phone credit card” with your name and phone number.
(2) Fill out the credit card authorization form (PDF).
(3) Email both your completed permit application and credit card form to quickpermits@denvergov.org.
(4) Allow 2-3 business days for processing. A cashier will call you between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. for your credit card to complete the transaction.
Fax. For a limited time, you may still fax your application and credit card authorization form to 720-865-3020.
If you do not receive your permit by 2:30 p.m. the day payment is processed, call the cashier at 720-865-2780.
Questions?
For help using e-Permits:
Use the online FAQs or tutorial located here or call Denver 311.
- Within Denver, dial 3-1-1
- Outside of Denver, dial 720-913-1311
For questions on emailed applications or permit fees: (720) 865-2705