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Obtaining A Certificate Of Occupancy

Final Inspection

A final inspection needs to be requested and approved by the Larimer County inspector prior to release of a Certificate of Occupancy.

Final Inspection - To be made after finish grading, and the building is completed and ready for occupancy, and final electric is signed off by a state inspector. Radon test must be completed and submitted to the Building Department if applicable. (Carpet and other floor coverings, trim and doors except to garage do not need to be completed for full CO.) If you are in a Wildfire Hazard Area, the final wildfire inspection will need to be conducted prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.

Certificate of Occupancy

Once all final inspections are approved, a certificate of occupancy is issued for residential and commercial permits. Certificates of occupancy are not issued for cabins or accessory structures, such as barns, garages, or storage buildings, however, a Letter of Completion will be issued for cabins. If you are unsure as to which final inspections are required prior to certificate of occupancy issuance, please contact our offices. Buildings are not to be occupied until the Certificate of Occupancy or Letter of Completion is issued. To obtain the Certificate of Occupancy or Letter of Completion you will need to bring in the inspection card and all applicable certificates and letters to the Building Department.

Temporary Certificate of Occupancy

A Temporary Certificates of Occupancy may be issued after final inspection requested and all life-safety issues have been corrected. The inspector will determine the approval for a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO). To obtain a TCO, you must bring the building inspection card and a $40.00 fee payable to Larimer County Planning for the expense of the TCO and the re-inspection.

Life-Safety Issues include:

  1. One complete working bathroom, with shower or tub.
  2. Kitchen sink to be installed and working.
  3. Heating system, furnace & water heater, to be installed & working.
  4. Electric final to be approved by the State Electrical Inspector.
  5. Health department final (if applicable) to be approved.
  6. Access and flood finals (if applicable) to be approved.
  7. All stairs, handrails, and guardrails to be installed per code.
  8. Wildfire final inspection and any other life safety issues.
  9. Final approval from applicable Fire Department if required by conditions of approval.