Denver Quick Permits: What Qualifies

Not every permit in Denver needs drawings and a plan reviewer. The city's quick permits are trade-specific permits that can be issued without plan review, often the same day you apply online. Knowing what qualifies helps you plan a roof replacement, a water heater swap or an EV charger without delays.

The city is clear on the limits: most projects can't be permitted as a quick permit, including structural work, and a quick permit may be issued only for specific listed work. A quick permit issued based on false statements can be revoked.

Roofing and siding

For roofing and siding, Denver's list includes:

• New roofs and roof replacement.
• Roof repairs larger than 10% of the roof area or two roof squares, whichever is smaller. Those repairs require a roof permit.
• New roof penetrations such as skylights, rooftop units, pipes and solar.
• Exterior wall coverings (siding).
• Blown-in insulation.
• Soffit and fascia work.

A roof permit is always applied for separately from the general construction permit, even for new construction. See our roofing and hail repair guide and siding guide.

Heating, cooling and water heaters

For single-family and duplex homes, the mechanical quick permit list includes residential AC compressor units, ductwork, evaporative coolers, exhaust systems, prefab and gas fireplaces, forced-air heating systems, gas piping, range hoods, through-wall and unit heaters, ventilating systems and water heaters. Boiler and AC permits cover baseboard and radiant heating, hot water and steam boilers and residential AC.

Replacement equipment must meet current energy code efficiency standards, which are verified at inspection. If equipment is being reconnected, an electrical quick permit is typically needed too. See our HVAC and heat pumps guide.

Electrical

For single-family and duplex homes, electrical work qualifies only if the utility service is rated 400 amps or less and is single-phase. That covers:

• New services and service upgrades up to 400 amps.
• New or replacement panels and subpanels.
• Wiring and rewiring.
• EV chargers.
• GFCI outlets, lighting, receptacles and ceiling fans.
• Solar PV systems under 10 kW DC, and energy storage systems under 10 kW, if they meet the city's SolarAPP+ eligibility rules.

Larger services, solar over 10 kW and other work need engineered plans and review.

Plumbing

For homes, the plumbing list includes backflow preventers, dishwashers, floor drains, garbage disposals, gas piping outlets, showers, tubs and sinks, washers, toilets, water heaters, water service lines and water softeners.

Projects tied to a new home or addition

Since a recent change, trade quick permits for new buildings and additions on single-family homes, duplexes and IRC townhomes require an issued residential construction permit first. The city says this helps coordinate energy code requirements across trades. Remodels in existing homes and equipment repair or replacement aren't affected.

Landmarks and historic districts

Landmark Preservation must review all roof permits and any other quick permits involving exterior work on an individual landmark or a building in a historic district. You'll submit a landmark quick review application and checklist, a street photo of the building, photos of the work area and product information. Staff issue a certificate of appropriateness before the permit can be paid. Many Capitol Hill homes fall in historic districts.

What about windows?

Window replacement is a separate question. The 2025 Denver Building Code exempts replacement of windows and doors with no structural changes from permits, with exceptions for hazardous locations and historic properties. Check with the city if you're unsure.

Inspections still apply

A quick permit skips plan review, not inspection. Roofing jobs, water heaters, furnaces and electrical work all get field inspections, and the work has to meet code when the inspector arrives. Keep the permit card posted, leave access to the work (for example, the attic, mechanical room or panel), and don't cover work that needs a rough inspection before it's approved. If the inspector finds problems, the contractor fixes them and schedules a reinspection.

How to apply

Apply through e-permits and select the trade permit under quick permits. Licensed contractors apply for their trades. Homeowners who qualify under the owner-occupier rules can apply for their own work, with exams required for electrical, plumbing and mechanical work. See pulling your own permit in Denver.