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Building Inspections in the Denver Metro Area During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Brownstein Client Alert, April 10, 2020

As counties and municipalities react to the outbreak of COVID-19, the typical development process is disrupted. Some jurisdictions have chosen only to suspend building inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units, while others have suspended all building inspections except on an emergency basis. Some jurisdictions are also exploring the use of video and photo technology to perform remote building inspections, and at least one jurisdiction has promulgated detailed instructions for the performance of a remote building inspection (see Centennial below).

This list summarizes the approach of the counties and major municipalities in the Denver and Boulder metro areas to building inspections during the COVID-19 outbreak. All data is based on self-reporting by the counties and municipalities, and individual experiences may vary. Preference may be given to critical projects and critical activities.

Please note that multi-industry construction guidance promulgated by the State of Colorado Department of Public Health (CDPHE) should be observed, including social distancing on construction worksites and strict observance of hygiene protocols. Please find more information from the CDHPE here.

Click here for a PDF of the full chart.

Chart last updated April 10, 2020:

Jurisdiction	Website	Notes
Adams County	Adams County website link	Inspections continue on a priority schedule, except that inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units are suspended. Owners and contractors of occupied home projects have the option to use a third-party inspector or inspection company according to a temporary third-party inspection policy in place until April 20.
Arapahoe County	Arapahoe County website link Arapahoe County permitting and inspections	Inspections of commercial and new residential development resumed March 30. Field inspections of residential projects on the exterior of occupied dwellings continue. Inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units are suspended.
Boulder County	Boulder County website link	Inspections are suspended, except that virtual inspections are available for selected building projects as follows: Virtual inspections will be performed by video call on a smart phone or tablet; Customers must have firsthand knowledge of the installation; and Large and complex projects, such as new homes or large remodels, are not eligible for virtual inspections at this time.
City and County of Broomfield	Broomfield website link Building Department Closure Information	Inspections continue, except that inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units are suspended. No contractors or subcontractors may be in the vicinity of the area to be inspected. Rough inspections (but not final inspections) may be performed remotely in some cases. Commercial electrical inspections will only be performed Wednesdays through Fridays until April 20. Beginning April 20, they will be performed every day.
City and County of Denver	Denver website link	Inspections continue. Inspectors are available by phone and email but will not offer in-person office hours in the morning. Inspections will only be performed at sites that have social distancing protocols in place.
Douglas County	Douglas County building inspections Douglas County website link	Inspections continue, except that inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units are suspended. Inspectors will attempt to perform remote inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units using remote video technology.
Jefferson County	Jefferson County website link	Inspections continue, except that inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units are suspended.
Arvada	Arvada website link	Inspections continue, except that inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units are suspended. Inspections are expressly limited to those related to new construction and those needed to restore electrical and gas utilities.
Aurora	Aurora website link	Inspections continue. Inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units will only be performed remotely by live video.
City of Boulder	Boulder website link	Inspections are suspended except for the following: Emergency inspections to maintain effective operations for critical facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, fire, police, and emergency operations centers; Emergency inspections to restore interruptions for existing essential utilities such as electrical, gas, water, and sewer services; Emergency inspections to address structural concerns resulting from incidents such as explosions, fires, or vehicles hitting buildings; Inspections of projects considered critical public infrastructure, such as emergency shelters, affordable housing, essential businesses, telecommunications, public utilities, and projects necessary to restore life safety requirements; Remote video inspections are now available for specified inspections types, including underground plumbing and electrical, gas and hydronic piping, insulation, drywall, exterior weatherization, and minor re-inspections. See the website for the complete list. Existing appliances necessary for sanitation and health (e.g., water heaters, furnaces) may be replaced when necessary and permits and inspections obtained once offices reopen. Third party inspections will be accepted in-lieu of city inspections when pre-approved by the city.
Centennial	Centennial - Schedule a building inspection Remote inspection guidelines	Inspections continue, except that in-person inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units are suspended. Remote inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units continue. Detailed instructions for remote inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units have been promulgated.
Cherry Hills Village	Cherry Hills Village Website Link	Inspections continue, except that: Inspectors may request that the space be reasonably vacated during the inspection window; The inspector may postpone an inspection if the inspection would result in an unsafe situation; and Six feet of separation is required for all outdoor inspections.
Lakewood	Lakewood website link Lakewood Building Inspection Alert	Inspections continue, except that: Inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units are limited to inspections needed to move projects forward and for which access to the work area is directly from the outside. Only one person may accompany the inspector. Final inspections and inspections that require walking through the home are suspended. Inspections on large projects and unoccupied residential units may only be performed if the area to be inspected is clear of workers.
Thornton	Thornton website link	Inspections continue, except that: New commercial inspections will only be performed when the structure is vacated. Inspections of new commercial structures may only be performed in-person. Such inspections may not be performed remotely. New residential inspections may be performed remotely or in person with a preference for remote video/photo. In-person inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units are suspended except for those specifically related to safety/health. Remote inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units may be performed.
Westminster	Westminster website link	Inspections continue. The website notes that staff are working remotely. The inspections team must be emailed for information about individual inspections.
Brighton	Brighton website link Brighton Building Safety and Permitting	Inspections continue. The inspector will bring plans to the initial inspection and may reschedule based on staffing levels or health risks.
Castle Rock	Castle Rock website link Castle Rock Building Permits	Inspections continue, except that in-person inspections of the interior of residential dwelling units are suspended. Remote inspections of the interior of residential dwelling units may be performed.
Columbine	Columbine website link	Inspections continue if social distancing can be maintained, except that all inspections of residential dwelling units are suspended.
Commerce City	Commerce City website link	Inspections continue. Buildings must be vacant at the time of inspection. Exterior inspections require a six-foot separation between the inspector and anyone else on-site.
Englewood	Englewood website link	Inspections continue, except that all inspections of occupied residential dwelling units are suspended. Contractors must vacate the site upon arrival. Emergency inspections of occupied residential dwelling units will be performed, if there is limited contact with the inspector.
Erie	Erie website link Virtual Inspection Policy	Inspections continue except that all inspections of occupied residential dwelling units are performed according to a virtual inspections policy.
Federal Heights	Federal Heights website link	Inspections continue from a remote station. Pictures are submitted electronically for review.
Golden	Golden website link	Interior inspections are suspended. Outdoor inspections continue.
Glendale	Glendale website link	Inspections continue. Virtual inspections are also available if requested.
Greenwood Village	Greenwood Village building permits and inspections Greenwood Village building update	Inspections are suspended except that: In-person interior inspections of occupied or unoccupied commercial or residential structures may be performed if the space is vacated or there is an emergency of life safety situation; and Some inspections may be conducted remotely via video/photo.
Highlands Ranch	Highlands Ranch website link	Inspections continue.
Lafayette	Lafayette website link	Inspections continue for all new construction where the building is not currently occupied. Inspections are suspended for all occupied residential, commercial and industrial buildings except for emergency inspections necessary for the essential operations of critical facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living and emergency inspections to address structural concerns resulting from incidents such as explosions, fires, and vehicles hitting buildings. Exterior weatherization of building envelopes included with issued permits may be performed, provided digital pictures and an affidavit of compliance are provided once offices reopen. Existing appliances necessary for sanitation and health (e.g., water heaters, furnaces) may be replaced when necessary and permits and inspections obtained once offices reopen.
Littleton	Littleton website link	Inspections continue, except that inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units are suspended. In some circumstances, the inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units may be performed remotely. Inspections of new, unoccupied residential dwellings will only be performed if access is provided and no one is present in the structure. Inspections of new and occupied commercial structures will only be performed if the structure is vacated a minimum of 15 minutes prior to the start of the inspection and for its duration. City staff will maintain a social distance of at least six feet at all times when interacting with the general public.
Lone Tree	Lone Tree website	Inspections continue. Virtual inspections are also available if requested.
Longmont	Longmont website link	Inspections continue for “production” types of inspections, including new single-family homes, patio covers, carports, decks, fences and roofs, commercial tenant improvements, new commercial construction, RTUs, and commercial roofs. Inspections of the interior of occupied residential dwelling units are suspended. Inspections may not compromise social distancing guidelines, and the area of work may not have been occupied.
Louisville	Louisville website link	Inspections are suspended. Remote inspections may be possible for some inspection types upon request.
Northglenn	Northglenn - building SAFEbuilt website link Northglenn Remote Video Inspection Guidelines	The City of Northglenn contracts its building division services through SAFEBuilt. SAFEBuilt inspections continue. Video inspections of the interior occupied residential dwelling units may be performed according to remote video inspection guidelines.
Parker	Parker website link Parker Modified Occupied Residential Inspection Guidelines Parker Remote Video Inspection Guidelines	Inspections continue for exterior construction and unoccupied residential and commercial structures. In-person and remote inspections of occupied residential dwelling units may be performed according to modified inspection guidelines for occupied residential structures and remote video inspection guidelines. Prior to inspection, Building Division staff will contact permit applicants or the contractor to discuss the possibility of the presence of COVID-19 on the site.
Superior	Superior website link	Inspections continue.
Wheat Ridge	Wheat Ridge website link	Inspections continue for exterior construction and unoccupied residential and commercial structures. Non-essential inspections and interior inspections of occupied residential dwelling units are suspended. The website does not define non-essential or essential inspections. Proof of code compliance will be determined remotely, if possible.