Plumbing Permit in Denver, Colorado (2026)
Without a Plumbing Permit from Denver's Department of Safety and Inspections, you cannot legally install or modify plumbing systems in your restaurant—and inspectors will halt work if they find unpermitted plumbing. The Plumbing Permit (also called a plumbing installation permit) is required for any water supply, drain, waste, or vent system work, including grease trap installation or repair.
- 27 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 22
- $0–$0 government filing fees (contact Denver Department of Safety and Inspections for current fee structure based on project scope)
- 1–3 business days for online permit approval in Denver
Most applicants complete this in under 15 minutes with ApronPrep, which auto-fills 22 of 27 fields.
Analyzed from Plumbing Permit
81% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Plumbing Permit
In Denver, a plumbing permit is required by law for most new, repair, or replacement work on water, sewer, gas, and fire suppression systems within a commercial kitchen. The legal authority stems from a combination of sources, primarily the locally adopted 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC), enforced through Denver Building and Fire Code § 10-1 and the Denver Revised Municipal Code, Title 6, Buildings and Building Regulations. This requirement is administered by the Denver Department of Community Planning and Development (CPD) - Development Services. The permit ensures that all work is inspected for compliance with health, safety, accessibility, and water conservation standards, protecting both your business and the public.
Starting plumbing work without this permit triggers immediate and severe consequences. Based on Denver's enforcement protocols, common penalties include:
- Stop-Work Orders and Fines: An inspector can issue a stop-work order, halting all construction and kitchen operations that rely on the new plumbing. This is often accompanied by daily fines that accumulate until compliance is achieved.
- Certificate of Occupancy Denial: Unpermitted work discovered during final inspections can prevent you from receiving a Certificate of Occupancy, legally barring you from opening your restaurant.
- Required Demolition: The city can mandate that non-compliant, unpermitted work be torn out at your expense so that it can be rebuilt correctly with proper inspections.
- Lease and Insurance Violations: Unpermitted work typically violates standard commercial lease agreements and can void property insurance coverage, leaving you financially liable for any damages or accidents.
Legal code: State building code (locally administered), local building ordinances, state accessibility code
Recent update: As of early 2026, Denver's Development Services has fully transitioned to its e-permitting portal for all plumbing permit applications, submissions, and inspections, requiring all documentation to be uploaded digitally.
Who Needs a Plumbing Permit?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Denver Building and Fire Code, Chapter 1, requires a permit for installation or alteration of any plumbing system, including sinks, dish machines, and grease interceptors. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required for any new or modified plumbing serving bars, restrooms, or kitchenettes, as per Denver Plumbing Code § 105.1 for work on premises. |
| Food Truck | Not Required | Plumbing permits are issued for fixed installations; mobile units are typically regulated under Denver's Vehicle for Hire and Mobile Food Vehicle codes for their onboard systems. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required for installing espresso machine water lines, sinks, or any drain connection to the sewer system under Denver's permitting rules for plumbing fixtures. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (27 Fields)
22 of 27 auto-filledBusiness Legal Name
textEnter the exact legal name of the business entity as it appears on your Articles of Incorporation or filing with the Colorado Secretary of State.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a DBA or trade name instead of the registered legal entity name, which will cause Denver Development Services to reject the permit application for incorrect applicant identification.
Property Address
textEnter the complete physical street address of the property where the plumbing work will be performed, matching the address on file with the Denver Assessor's office.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a P.O. Box, an incomplete address (missing suite/unit), or an address from a different jurisdiction, resulting in an application rejected due to invalid permit location.
Project Description
textProvide a concise, specific description of the plumbing scope (e.g., 'Install 3-compartment prep sink, grease interceptor, and associated drain/waste/vent for new commercial kitchen').
COMMON MISTAKE: Using vague terms like 'plumbing work' or 'kitchen fixtures' without detail, which requires a city planner to request clarification and adds 1-2 weeks to the review timeline.
Facility Type
textEnter the specific use classification from the Denver Zoning Code, such as 'Restaurant', 'Food Service Establishment', 'Commercial Kitchen', or 'Retail Food Prep'.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a generic building type like 'Commercial' or 'Retail,' which fails to trigger the correct plumbing fixture requirements and can lead to a plan review correction.
Property Ownership Status
textIndicate your legal relationship to the property: 'Owner', 'Tenant' (with a lease), or 'Authorized Agent' (if you are the licensed contractor).
COMMON MISTAKE: A tenant failing to provide proof of landlord consent (often required as a separate attachment), which halts the application until the proper authorization is submitted.
Number of Kitchen Sinks
textEnter the total number of kitchen sinks (e.g., prep sinks, hand sinks, dish sinks, mop sinks) as counted on your plumbing plans.
COMMON MISTAKE: Omitting mop sinks or utility sinks from the count, which leads to an under-calculation of fixture units and a failed hydraulic analysis during plan review.
Kitchen Sink Specifications
textList key specifications for each sink type, such as '3-compartment, 18-gauge stainless steel, NSF-certified, with integral drainboards'.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this field blank or writing 'Standard,' which forces the reviewer to request specifications and delays approval by a minimum of one review cycle.
Grease Trap Installation
checkboxCheck this box if your project involves installing a new grease interceptor or replacing an existing one, as required by Denver's Wastewater Standards for food service facilities.
COMMON MISTAKE: Failing to check this box for a new commercial kitchen, which is a direct violation of Denver Revised Municipal Code § 49-586 and results in an automatic application rejection.
Grease Trap Capacity/Specifications
textIf a grease trap is required, enter its calculated capacity (in gallons or GPM), type (e.g., 'hydromechanical, gravity'), and model if known.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a capacity not calculated per Denver Wastewater criteria or leaving this field blank when 'Grease Trap Installation' is checked, causing a mandatory plan review correction.
Additional Plumbing Fixtures
textList any other plumbing fixtures not yet specified, such as water heaters, ice machines, dishwashers, restroom fixtures, or exterior hose bibs.
COMMON MISTAKE: Omitting fixtures like water heaters or pre-rinse spray valves, which are separate plumbing appliances requiring review and can lead to a failed final inspection.
ApronPrep auto-fills 22 of 27 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Plumbing Permit Mistakes
1. Incorrect Work Description Detail
Writing 'plumbing work' or 'bathroom remodel' instead of listing each fixture and pipe run by material and size. Vague descriptions trigger a plan review hold, adding 2–4 weeks for an inspector to request clarifications. Avoid this by using the exact terminology from the Denver Building Code (e.g., 'Install 3/4" PEX water line to new lavatory, replace 2" ABS sanitary tee, and add a 40-gallon electric water heater').
2. Wrong Valuation or Fee Calculation
Underestimating the total job valuation or miscalculating the permit fee, which is based on the valuation. A low valuation is often flagged during the contractor license verification, causing payment rejection and delaying issuance by 1–2 weeks. Calculate the fee correctly using the current Denver fee schedule (e.g., $X per $1,000 of valuation) and base the valuation on the total cost of labor, materials, and fixtures.
3. Missing Contractor License & Insurance Information
Failing to provide the licensed plumber’s full state license number or current certificate of insurance. Denver requires the licensed professional pulling the permit to have active insurance on file. Omitting this results in an immediate rejection until the contractor’s credentials are verified with the state board. Have your plumber’s 7-digit Colorado license number and insurance company name/policy number ready before applying.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Plumbing Permit
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Plumbing Permit by City in Colorado
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora | Contact authority for current fees - plumbing permit fees vary based on project scope and square footage | Plan review typically 5-10 business days; total process from submission to approval 10-20 business days depending on completeness and authority workload |
| Colorado Springs | Contact authority for current fees - varies based on plumbing project scope and square footage | Permit approval typically 5-10 business days after application submission; inspections scheduled within 1-2 weeks of request; total project timeline 2-4 weeks depending on scope and inspection schedule |
| Denver | Contact authority for current fees - fees vary based on project scope and construction cost; restaurant grease trap work may have different fee structure | 1-3 business days for online permit approval; additional 5-7 business days if submitted by mail. Inspection scheduling occurs after permit issuance; total project timeline typically 2-4 weeks depending on inspection availability |
Government Filing Fees
- Contact authority for current fees - fees vary based on project scope and construction cost
- restaurant grease trap work may have different fee structure
Timeline: Varies (typically 2–8 weeks from submission to final inspection)
Step 1: Prepare plumbing work plans and specifications for kitchen sinks and grease traps, ensuring compliance with Colorado State Building Code and Denver local ordinances
Create detailed plumbing plans showing sink locations, trap sizing, drain routing, and grease trap specifications (capacity, material, access points). Plans must include dimensions, material specifications, and compliance notes referencing Colorado State Building Code Chapter 22 and Denver Plumbing Code § 42-5. Have your licensed plumber or engineer prepare sealed plans — Denver requires PE/architect stamps for commercial work. Missing or incomplete plans are the #1 cause of permit rejection.
Step 2: Access the City and County of Denver E-permits system at denver.gov or the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) online plumbing permit application system
Go to denver.gov/pocketgov and log in with your account (create one if needed). For DPO applications, visit colorado.gov/dpo — most Denver plumbing permits are filed through the City and County system first, then DPO review may be required depending on scope. Have your EIN, project address, and plumber license number ready.
Step 3: Complete the plumbing permit application form with project details, contractor information, and scope of work (kitchen sinks, grease trap installation/modification)
Fill out Form PB-1 (Plumbing Permit Application) with 18–24 fields: project address, owner/contractor contact info, description of work (e.g., 'install 3-compartment sink and 1,500-gallon grease trap'), estimated project cost, and licensed plumber name/license number. The scope-of-work field is critical — vague descriptions like 'plumbing modifications' cause rejections; be specific: 'install new 3-compartment sink with P-traps and connect to existing 4-inch main drain and new 1,500-gallon grease interceptor.'
Where to Apply
Applications are handled by your local building department in each city. Select your city below for authority details, fees, and processing timeline.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Colorado.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation)
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsProcessing timelines vary depending on project complexity and plan review requirements, per the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) website. Standard plumbing permits typically process within 1–3 weeks for minor work (like fixture replacements), while more complex projects involving significant system modifications may require 4–8 weeks. Contact the DDPHE Plumbing Division or check the city's online permit status portal to track your specific application.
Denver does not charge a separate government filing fee for standard plumbing permits—the cost is $0 per the city fee schedule. However, you may incur costs for required inspections, plan reviews, or if your project triggers additional requirements like a Backflow Prevention Device Certification or a Building Permit. Contact the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment to confirm whether your specific project requires additional permits or fees.
No—plumbing permits are location-specific and tied to the address where the work will be performed, per Denver municipal code. If you need plumbing work at a different restaurant location, you must submit a new permit application for that address. If your restaurant is relocating, you may also need a new City Business License/Registration and a Certificate of Occupancy for the new space.
Plumbing permits do not require renewal—they remain valid for the life of the installation or system, as long as the work was completed and inspected per Denver code. However, if you modify or add plumbing systems later, you must obtain a new permit for the additional work. Contact the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment to confirm the status of work on your existing system.
A Denver DDPHE inspector will verify that your plumbing installation complies with current code—checking pipe materials, sizing, slope, venting, and backflow prevention devices—per the Denver Plumbing Code. Inspections typically occur at rough-in (before walls close) and final stages. If deficiencies are found, you'll receive a notice to correct and must schedule a re-inspection; approval allows you to proceed or close out the permit. Not legal advice—verify specific inspection requirements with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Colorado specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 27 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- State building code (locally administered), local building ordinances, state accessibility code
- Aurora — Building Department / Inspectional Services
- Colorado Springs — Building Department / Inspectional Services
- Denver — Building Department / Inspectional Services
This Form Is One of 60+ Requirements.
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