One city, several kinds of review
Because Denver is a consolidated city and county, Park Hill homeowners deal with a single local government for building permits, rather than a city and a separate county. Building permits and inspections are handled through Denver's Community Planning and Development department. Landmark preservation review, where it applies, also sits within that department.
Not every fire repair needs every review. Cleaning soot and repainting generally does not need a permit. Structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and roofing work generally does. The details depend on scope, and requirements change over time, so confirm with the city before work starts.
Contractors usually pull permits for their trades. Ask each one which permits they will obtain and keep copies with your claim file. Permit fees may be part of the insurance estimate.
Common types of review
| Type of work | Review commonly needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soot cleaning, painting | Usually none | Lead-safe rules may still apply |
| Framing, structural repair | Building permit and inspections | Engineer letter may be requested |
| Electrical repair or rewiring | Electrical permit and inspection | Often required before power is restored |
| Plumbing or heating | Plumbing or mechanical permit | Boilers and gas lines need inspection |
| Roof replacement | Roofing permit | Visible changes may need landmark review |
| Exterior changes on designated property | Landmark review | Check whether the address is designated |
| Asbestos abatement | State notification and permits through CDPHE | Usually handled by the abatement contractor |
Who to contact
- IfYou are unsure whether a repair needs a permitThenContact Denver Community Planning and Development, or ask the contractor to confirm in writing.
- IfThe house might be landmarkedThenAsk Denver Landmark Preservation whether your address is designated.
- IfGas or electric service was shut offThenXcel Energy restores service after the house passes any required inspection.
- IfAsbestos is foundThenYour abatement contractor handles state notifications; CDPHE oversees the rules.
- IfYou need a copy of the fire reportThenAsk the Denver Fire Department how to request incident records.
Common questions
- Can cleanup start before permits are issued?
- Emergency steps such as board-up, tarping, water removal and soot cleaning generally go ahead right away to prevent further damage. Permitted work like structural, electrical or roofing repair usually waits for the permit. If you are unsure where a task falls, ask the contractor to confirm with the city before starting.
- What happens if repairs were done without a permit?
- Unpermitted work can cause trouble with insurers, lenders and buyers later, and the city may require walls to be opened for inspection. It is usually simpler to get the permit up front than to fix the record afterward.
General information for Park Hill, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.