La Plata County, CO Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Section 18-42, titled Electrical Installation Requirement, is the county's own electrical provision. The Article III contents list it as Adoption of the Electric Code, and its history line cites Res. No. 2017-33 and Res. No. 2026-14, effective on 6/30/2026. The section states that electric code regulations and requirements are enforced by the Colorado State Electric Board, and that La Plata County adds one requirement: electrical service to buildings and structures must be provided with an outside main electrical service disconnect. The disconnect must be located on the exterior of the building or within 50 feet of the structure.

The rule works alongside the building permit chapter in Section 18-35. Section 105.2 exempts small one-story accessory buildings up to 200 square feet, limited to four per parcel, and agricultural exempt structures, but limits utility connections in those buildings to electrical connections for simple lighting. Section 105.2.3 says application or notice to the building official is not required for replacing lamps or connecting approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles, but repairs do not include addition to, alteration of, replacement, or relocation of electric wiring or other work which affects the public health or general safety.

Inspections also reach electrical work. The concrete slab or under-floor inspection under Section 110.3.2 happens after conduit is in place and before any concrete is poured, and the frame inspection under Section 110.3.4 follows installation of the rough electrical, plumbing, heating, wires, pipes, and ducts. Section 110.3.7 lets the building official make or require any other inspection to ascertain compliance with the Code and the other laws or regulations enforced by the Building Department. Applications for building permits are filed on the Building Department Permit Portal under Section 105.3.