Littleton, CO Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Section 4-1-2 of the Littleton City Code, in Title 4 (Building Regulations), Chapter 1 (Building Codes), ties a building permit to the condition of the public right-of-way next to the project. The section defines "administration" as the City Manager or a duly appointed representative, so every approval, acceptance and guarantee decision below is made by the City Manager or that delegate. It defines "off-site improvements" as any physical improvement above or below ground that the City requires in an alley, street, other public right-of-way or easement, or publicly owned property adjacent to the property for which a building permit is being sought for development, redevelopment or other construction. The definition names curb, gutter, sidewalk, paving, drainage structures and fire hydrants.

The front gate is subsection D, Adequate Street Access Required. No building permit is issued until the public street and access to within twenty-five feet (25') of the building are completed with a minimum base course of at least two inches (2") of asphaltic material, or other dustproof, non-erodible material the administration accepts. The code states the purpose: access to the site for both construction crews and emergency service vehicles, in place before construction starts. An applicant whose lot fronts an unimproved street therefore has to get that access built before the permit exists, not after.

The back gate is subsection C.1. The administration denies final approval and the certificate of occupancy for any building until the required off-site improvements are completed, inspected and approved. The one way around that denial is a guarantee: a performance bond, cash deposit, letter of credit or other obligation approved by both the administration and the city attorney, in a sum the administration determines is adequate to build the improvements.

Subsection C.2 governs the money. A guarantee goes back to the depositor once the administration approves the finished work. If the depositor fails or refuses to install the work within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice from the administration, the City keeps all or part of the guarantee as compensation for performing the work itself.

Subsection E lets the City delay installation for a temporary period when practical difficulties such as a conflict with proposed public improvements or efficiency of coordination call for it. The delay applies only to the off-site installation requirement, and only if the owner or the owner's authorized representative signs a contract to approve creation of an improvement district and to install the improvements within thirty (30) days of written notice. The current text carries Ord. 24 (1974), Ord. 26 (2022) and Ord. 11 (2025), and took effect July 24, 2025.