Adopted Building Codes
In 2010, Morgan County adopted the 2009 International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Energy Conservation Code and the International Mechanical Code.
Building Inspector
After the permit has been issued and you have begun work, you or your contractor must request inspections at certain times. To request inspections, call the Planning &, Zoning Department at 970-542-3526 or the building inspector 970-768-7197 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If an inspection is scheduled but you are not ready for the inspection, please call to cancel the inspection at least 1 hour ahead of your appointed time. Required inspections are marked on the building permit card you receive when the setback inspection is completed.
In order to avoid project delays and added expense to both the County and to the applicant, please ensure that all work is inspected and approved prior to concealment.
Permits Required
Morgan County’s basic requirements for permits are any building that has a roof and is 120 square feet and larger.
Do I Need a Permit?
| Project | Permit Needed? | Permit Type | Land Use Permit Needed? | State Permit Needed |
| New windows/doors | Yes | Building | No | No |
| Siding | Yes | Building | No | No |
| Re-roofing | Yes | Roofing | No | No |
| AC or Heating | Yes | Mechanical | No | Yes |
| PV Solar System-personal residence | Yes | Mechanical | No | Yes |
| Built in Swimming Pool | Yes | Mechanical/Building | Depends | Depends |
| Addition to home or business of any kind | Yes | Building | Depends | Yes |
Shed (200 square feet or larger) (No bathroom or plumbing) | Yes | Accessory Structure/Zoning | No | No |
Any structure smaller than 120’ No electricity | No | NA | No | No |
| Carport | Yes | Accessory Structure/Zoning | Depends | No |
Retaining Wall (4ft or higher) | Yes | Building | No | No |
| Bathroom or Kitchen remodel | Yes-If changing fixture locations | Building | No | Yes-If changing fixture locations |
| “Shouse” | Yes | Building | Depends | Yes |
| Porch or deck NOT attached to residence | Yes- if larger than 120’ | Accessory Structure/Zoning | No | No |
| Deck/porch covered or uncovered ATTACHED to residence | Yes | Building Permit | No | No |
| Placing a Mobile Home | Yes | Mobile Home Placement—Also may need Conditional Use | Depends | Yes |
| Manufactured Home | Yes | Building plus Manufactured Home additional Info Attachment | Depends | Yes |
| Tower | Depends | Depends | Depends | |
| Finish Basement | Yes | Building | No | Yes |
| Convert Garage to living space | Yes | Building | No | Yes |
| New or Remodeling Office Space | Yes | Building | Depends | Yes |
| Painting my home | No | NA | No | No |
| Major home remodeling, any changes to walls | Yes | Building | No | Yes |
| Fence | No-if 6’ or under | NA-Check Appendix B Table 1 | Depends | No |
| Sign Placement | Yes- See Zoning Regulations | Sign Placement Permit | No | Possibly CDOT |
If the building project is for a new home, addition or remodel to an existing home, which includes siding, replacement windows, or carports/patios that attach to the house, as well as a shop with a bathroom, require a building permit.
Accessory structures are detached (from the home) buildings that fit the basic requirements and might have electricity only supplied to the building. These structures require an accessory structure permit (also called a zoning permit).
Mechanical permits are required for replacing or adding a furnace/boiler, alternative heating sources, air conditioning unit, or PV solar systems (roof and guard mount). (Included in the new construction building permit).
When replacing/repairing your roof a Roofing permit is required. Roofing permits for detached outbuildings (detached accessory structures) are not required.
Contractors working in the County are required to hold a current Contractor’s License.