Denver County

Home permits and project costs in Denver, CO

Front Range hail is the single largest driver of roof replacement volume, and Denver runs its own combined city-county permitting authority.

Model reviewed August 2026

Local cost index

+12%

vs national average

Permit fee index

+15%

vs national baseline

Population

715,522

Homeownership

50%

Do you need a permit in Denver?

For most structural work, yes

Denver enforces local adoption of the irc; no statewide residential code outside the wildfire code through Denver County. Roofing, electrical, plumbing, structural, pools and most exterior additions require a permit and inspection. Cosmetic work — paint, flooring, cabinet swaps — generally does not.

Project costs in Denver

National baselines adjusted by the local labor and materials index.

Project	Typical cost	Permit	Deep pages
Roof Replacement	$11,300 – $38,200	required	Cost·Permit
AC Replacement	$6,000 – $17,900	required	Cost·Permit
Fence Installation	$2,800 – $12,600	usually required	Cost·Permit
Water Heater Replacement	$1,400 – $6,300	required	Cost·Permit
Pool Installation	$44,700 – $135,400	required	Cost·Permit
Window Replacement	$8,800 – $39,800	required	Cost·Permit
Electrical Panel Replacement	$2,200 – $8,000	required	Cost·Permit
Generator Installation	$7,600 – $25,700	required	Cost·Permit
Solar Panel Installation	$17,100 – $54,800	required	Cost·Permit
Kitchen Remodel	$20,200 – $103,300	conditional	Cost·Permit
Bathroom Remodel	$10,200 – $47,400	conditional	Cost·Permit
Driveway Replacement	$4,800 – $21,900	usually required	Cost·Permit
Paver Patio & Walkway	$4,000 – $18,200	conditional	Cost·Permit
Deck Construction	$6,400 – $32,600	required	Cost·Permit
Shed Installation	$2,000 – $13,600	conditional	Cost·Permit
Whole-House Repipe	$5,300 – $18,800	required	Cost·Permit
EV Charger Installation	$900 – $4,900	required	Cost·Permit
Hurricane Shutter Installation	$3,800 – $21,400	required	Cost·Permit
Pool Enclosure / Screen Cage	$10,700 – $49,800	required	Cost·Permit
Septic System Replacement	$8,900 – $33,100	required	Cost·Permit
Impact Window Installation	$10,600 – $49,700	required	Cost·Permit
Exterior Door Replacement	$1,100 – $7,600	usually required	Cost·Permit
Garage Door Replacement	$1,700 – $8,900	required	Cost·Permit
Siding Installation	$9,300 – $44,300	usually required	Cost·Permit
Stucco Repair	$1,000 – $18,100	conditional	Cost·Permit
Soffit & Fascia Replacement	$2,100 – $12,800	conditional	Cost·Permit
Gutter Installation	$1,000 – $7,300	rarely required	Cost·Permit
Roof Repair	$500 – $5,700	conditional	Cost·Permit
Flat Roof Replacement	$7,100 – $33,300	required	Cost·Permit
Attic Insulation	$1,300 – $8,300	rarely required	Cost·Permit
Ductwork Replacement	$2,900 – $13,800	required	Cost·Permit
Mini Split Installation	$2,800 – $14,400	required	Cost·Permit
Flooring Installation	$2,800 – $22,300	rarely required	Cost·Permit
Tile Installation	$2,000 – $18,000	rarely required	Cost·Permit
Interior Painting	$1,700 – $10,800	rarely required	Cost·Permit
Exterior Painting	$3,200 – $17,100	rarely required	Cost·Permit
Drywall Repair	$400 – $5,100	rarely required	Cost·Permit
Kitchen Cabinet Refacing	$5,100 – $22,500	rarely required	Cost·Permit
Countertop Replacement	$2,400 – $13,200	rarely required	Cost·Permit
Tub to Shower Conversion	$4,000 – $18,500	usually required	Cost·Permit
Sod Installation	$1,000 – $7,800	rarely required	Cost·Permit
Irrigation System Installation	$2,500 – $11,400	conditional	Cost·Permit
Tree Removal	$500 – $6,400	conditional	Cost·Permit
Outdoor Kitchen	$6,900 – $51,800	usually required	Cost·Permit
Seawall Repair	$9,600 – $113,600	required	Cost·Permit
Dock Construction	$10,800 – $101,700	required	Cost·Permit
Well Installation	$6,500 – $29,500	required	Cost·Permit
Mold Remediation	$1,700 – $17,400	conditional	Cost·Permit
Water Softener Installation	$1,400 – $7,500	usually required	Cost·Permit
Home Addition	$53,600 – $333,500	required	Cost·Permit
Heat Pump Replacement	$7,500 – $25,300	required	Cost·Permit
Furnace Replacement	$3,700 – $13,200	required	Cost·Permit
Foundation Repair	$3,200 – $36,800	usually required	Cost·Permit
Basement Waterproofing	$3,400 – $20,400	conditional	Cost·Permit
Drain Field Replacement	$7,000 – $29,200	required	Cost·Permit
Toilet Installation	$300 – $1,200	rarely required	Cost·Permit
Hot Tub Installation	$6,300 – $25,300	usually required	Cost·Permit

Denver permitting basics

Jurisdiction	Denver, Denver County
Building department	Official site
Permit portal	Apply online
Owner-builder permits	Owner-builder permits widely available with an affidavit
Contractor verification	Verify any license with Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control before signing

Sources

Sources & verification

Model vintage August 2026. The links above are the issuing agencies' own pages — we publish them so you can confirm the current rule yourself, not as evidence that each fact on this page was re-checked with them today. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing, not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.