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New Commercial Buildings, Commercial Additions & Multi-Family
Landscape inspections will be required to be completed before a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued. This online handbook will help you with the common process for applying for and obtaining permits for new commercial buildings and additions. If your project is currently in the Development Process with the City of Arvada your permit will not be approved until the Final Development Process is completed.
Getting Started
Review the list of required documents and steps in this section of the website before beginning the application process. Once you are ready to apply, you will log in to our permitting system, enter the required information, and upload PDF plans and related documents to your application.
Utilize the eTRAKIT Application.
Commercial permits are issued to Licensed Contractors. To ensure your permit is issued in a timely manner, please make sure to list all of your sub-contractors. Permits without sub-contractors listed will be placed on hold. Please review contractor qualifications and download applications before applying for permits.
The City of Arvada is committed to providing plan reviews within our timelines. However, workload of the current development environment in the City of Arvada can affect these timelines. Complete submissions will assist with keeping within this timeframe. If your application package is incomplete, your project may not be accepted.
| Review Process | Tenant Finish | 1 to 100 Sheets | 100 or more Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
Review Process | Tenant Finish | 1 - 100 Sheets | 100+ |
Staff review for code compliance | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | 6 weeks |
Customer review and code corrections | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 4 weeks |
Staff review for code compliance | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 4 weeks |
Total number of business days | 40 | 40 | 70 |
Total number of weeks | 8 | 8 | 14 |
Fees are charged based on the job contract value or based on square footage. You can get an estimate of your fees at the Arvada Permits Site. Please be aware that additional fees may apply and will be identified through the permitting process.
| Fee Name | Fee |
|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (Table 18-1) | Variable |
| Use Tax | Variable |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of Permit Fee |
If being completed on the project:
| Fee Name | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plumbing | Variable |
| Mechanical | Variable |
| Electric | Variable |
Required Submittal Documents
Permit applications must be submitted with the correct documentation. Applications that are submitted without the proper documentation will not be accepted. If you have questions about items that are required please email Building Permits Division.
Please provide each plan set individually in a single PDF. All plans must be stamped by a professional licensed in the State of Colorado (engineer or architect).
Plans must include a building code summary including assumptions made with regard to proposed occupancy classification(s), proposed square footage, building area limitations, construction type, exiting, occupant load, wind speed design, snow load, frost depth, and any other pertinent design information.
Plans included in the package:
- Civil, Landscaping and Grading Plans
- Architectural Plans
- Structural Plans
- Mechanical Plans
- Plumbing Plans
- Electrical Plans
- COMCheck reports:
- Building Envelope
- Mechanical System
- Electrical Lighting
Plot Plan Instructions
A detailed sitemap of your project should display the following, if applicable:
The building department utilizes a site plan to verify distances between buildings and distances from buildings to public right-of-way or property lines. The building department also uses a plot plan to verify site accessibility elements including parking, ramps, walks, etc. meet the requirements of building code. A plot plan with these elements and dimensions must be submitted with an application for a new commercial, new multi-family, or commercial addition permit.
Note: The plot plan that is completed through the Development Process will be accepted.
- Setbacks
- Lot coverage
- Dimensions on all improvements
Soils Report Information
Soils Report to include the following, if applicable:
- Soils report related to structural design for your project
Asbestos Abatement Instructions
If demolition is part of this project you must comply with the standards from the Colorado Department of Public Health. Demolition permits will require proof of compliance.
Please verify the jurisdiction of your project, you will work directly with the fire department for approval, permits with the City of Arvada will not be issued until that Fire Department has signed off.
A separate set of plans needs to be delivered to the Fire Department:
If available provide specification manual in addition to plans.
Indicate exterior changes are being proposed with this permit.
Include the following on your plans and applications. Failure to identify any exterior building changes may result in delayed permit issuance due to required Planning Division reviews. It is important to clearly identify any changes to the building exterior or site on this checklist:
- Parking
- Lighting
- Signage (Separate permit is required)
- Paving, ramps, patios
- Glazing, doors
- Awnings, canopies, shade structures
- Rooftop, Wall Mounted and Ground Mounted Mechanical Equipment, Flues and Exterior Building Elements
- Landscaping
Permit Issuance & Inspections
Once the permit application has been reviewed and approved by Building Inspections and the Planning and Engineering team, the permit will be ready for issuance. All fees must be paid and the applicant must download the proper permit documents to have available on site. Fees can be paid online using a credit card, if other type of payment is requested, please visit the building inspections office to make a payment.
All projects are required to have the following City of Arvada approved documents on site. All approved plan sets can be downloaded on arvadapermits.org and can be made available either in a physical paper copy or as an electronic copy, unless noted otherwise.
- Plan Set Approved (Electronic or physical)
- Inspection Sign Off Sheet (Physical copy)
- Permit (Physical copy)
Depending on the scope of your project, various inspections are required throughout the duration of construction. Third party inspection companies typically perform all foundation inspections and special inspections required in accordance with the International Building Code. City building department staff perform the remaining structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and building inspections.
Separate permits and inspections are required for public improvements, right-of-way work, utility connections, and fire system installation. These are provided by the City Engineering Department, special districts providing utility services (if the area is not served by a city owned utility), health department, and the Fire District serving the property, respectively.
No space or structure shall be occupied until a Certificate of Occupancy has been obtained from the City Building Department. All final inspections must be performed and approved by City building inspectors. In addition approval by all development related departments within the City including Planning, Engineering, Traffic, and Utilities and related Special Districts including the Fire Department and Public Health Department (for restaurants) must be obtained with proof provided to the Building Department.
An Improvement Location Certificate and Final Grading Plan, including impervious surface, special inspection reports, foundation inspection reports, backflow test reports, mechanical balance reports, Landscape Inspection, and any other project specific certifications or documentation must be provided before the Certificate of Occupancy can be issued.
All commercial projects in the City of Arvada require a Certificate of Occupancy to be issued before occupancy can occur.
- All final inspections are completed. Final Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing. CO-Public Improvement.
- Test and proof of compliance for Emergency Responder Radio Coverage.
- Tap fees have been paid in full. If you pay with non-certified funds you will have a two week wait before the sign off can be complete.
- Landscape Inspection: Developers (or builders) are required to construct landscape improvements consistent with approved landscape plans prior to receiving a Certificate of Occupancy. After landscape construction is completed, developers (or builders) must provide landscape inspection by a licensed Landscape Architect (or a representative of the licensed Landscape Architect) who will certify that required landscape improvements are complete. Proof of inspection (PDF) must be completed and uploaded to the permit through Arvada Permits Site.
- Request C.O. through Arvada Permits Site, five days before desired issue date.
- Review permit reviews on Arvada Permits Site to make sure all of the reviews are completed and approved by the following departments:
- Engineering
- Planning
- Utility Billing
- Fire Department
- Building Inspection