How Do You Get a Building Permit in Montrose County, Colorado (Outside City Limits)?

For property in unincorporated Montrose County, you apply through the county's Citizen Permit Portal, run by the Planning & Development Department at 63160 LaSalle Road. The county's Building division reviews plans, does inspections, enforces adopted codes and reviews and approves onsite wastewater (septic) systems. Properties inside the City of Montrose use the city's process instead.

This post summarizes the county's Planning & Development page as I reviewed it on November 4, 2026. The page does not list fee amounts or the step-by-step process, so confirm details with the department. This is general information, not legal advice.

Is my property in the city or the county?

Start here, because it decides who issues the permit. I covered the City of Montrose process in an earlier post. If your property is outside city limits, the county handles it. Ask the county or your title company to confirm jurisdiction for the exact parcel, especially near the edge of town.

Who do I contact?

Montrose County Planning & Development lists:

• Address: 63160 LaSalle Road, Montrose, CO 81401
• Phone: 970-249-6688
• Permit questions email: planning_building@montrosecounty.net
• Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The office is closed Fridays.
• County main line: (970) 249-7755

How do I apply?

The page says to apply for building permits and planning applications through the Citizen Permit Portal and recommends reviewing the portal tutorial first. You can also review public building permit reports there.

What do the Building and Planning divisions do?

Per the county:

• Building: plan review, inspections and enforcement of adopted building codes. It also reviews and approves onsite wastewater treatment systems (septic).
• Planning: handles growth under the County Subdivision Regulations, Zoning Regulations and Master Plan, and processes applications for the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners.

What codes and regulations does the county list?

The page links these, among others:

• Building Code Resolution (No. 28-2023)
• 2018 IRC guidance for garages, pole barns, basement finishes, patio covers, ramps, decks, patio enclosures, re-roofing and one-story additions
• Manufactured home and frame construction requirements
• The Wildfire Resiliency Code
• The Flood Damage Prevention Resolution
• Subdivision Regulations (amended July 2024), the Master Plan, and Zoning Regulations and maps
• Board of Health OWTS (septic) regulations, including State of Colorado Regulation 43
• The Rubbish and Junk Ordinance

I did not read the text of each document, so ask the department which apply to your parcel. The Wildfire Resiliency Code and the Flood Damage Prevention Resolution are worth a look early if your land is near open vegetation or a drainage.

What other approvals might I need?

The page links to a CDOT Access Permit (for road access), the Colorado Division of Water Resources, US Army Corps of Engineers permits and a Gunnison Sage-grouse Critical Habitat map viewer. It does not describe those processes, so confirm with each agency. The page also does not cover well permit steps or driveway permit steps beyond the CDOT link.

What does it cost?

The page links a Planning & Development fee schedule but does not show amounts. Ask the department for a fee estimate for your project, and also ask about water, sewer or other service fees that might apply to your site.

What should I check before buying land in Montrose County?

• Access. Is there legal, maintained access? Who maintains the road?
• Septic and water. The county reviews septic. Ask about soils and about a well permit or water service.
• Zoning and subdivision rules. What can you build, and are there lot size or use limits?
• Wildfire and floodplain. Ask about the Wildfire Resiliency Code and flood rules.
• Utilities and internet. Ask what it costs to extend service.
• Covenants. Subdivisions can add design rules.
• Wildlife and habitat. The county page links a Gunnison Sage-grouse habitat map; ask whether your parcel is affected.

Why does permit history matter on an existing home?

Unpermitted work can slow a sale. Because the county posts public building permit reports on its portal, a buyer can check the history of a property. If you are selling, gather permits and final inspections for additions, decks, finished basements and re-roofs.

What is the bottom line?

In unincorporated Montrose County the path starts with Planning & Development and the online portal, and it runs through septic, access, codes and any special rules for your parcel. Make the phone call before you buy, not after. A local agent can help you ask the right questions on land and homes outside the city.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I get a building permit in unincorporated Montrose County?

Through the county's Citizen Permit Portal. Planning & Development is at 63160 LaSalle Road, 970-249-6688.

Does Montrose County review septic systems?

Yes. The county's Building division reviews and approves onsite wastewater treatment systems, per its page.

What are the county office hours?

Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed Fridays.

Is the process different inside the City of Montrose?

Yes. The city has its own Building Services department. See my city permit guide.

Connect with a great real estate agent in Montrose, Kelsey Loftis with Crystal Peak Properties.

Phone: (970) 784-6768 · Email: kelseyloftis@gmail.com · Website: crystalpeakproperties.com

Source: Montrose County Planning & Development page (montrosecounty.net/143/Planning-Development), reviewed November 4, 2026. Not legal advice.