La Plata County, CO Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Request lead time
- 24 hours before the work is ready
- Scheduling
- First come, first served; no specific date or time
- Required stages
- Footing, slab, nailing, frame, energy, penetrations, final
- Code section
- La Plata County Code § 18-35(110)
- Fine on conviction
- Not more than $100, each day a separate offense
- Site address
- Posted conspicuously, visible from the public road
Summary
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, construction under a building permit stays subject to inspection by the building official until approved. Section 18-35(110) requires inspection requests 24 hours ahead, runs first come, first served, and sets stages from footings through frame, energy, fire-resistant penetrations, and final inspection.
110.1 General. Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official and such construction or work shall remain visible and able to be accessed for inspection purposes until approved. ... Requests for inspection shall be made 24 hours in advance of the work being ready for inspection. Inspections will be provided on a first come, first served basis. ... 110.3 Required inspections. The building official, upon request as provided in section 110.1, shall perform any applicable inspection described below in sections 110.3.1 through 110.3.8. ... 110.3.8 Final inspection. Upon completion of the work for which the permit has been issued, the building official will complete a final inspection. The final inspection authorization will be based on the completion of all building components and completion of exterior grading and drainage.
Full Breakdown
Section 110.1 puts the duty of access on the owner, contractor, or subcontractor who requests an inspection: work must remain visible and accessible until approved, and the address of the building site must be posted in a conspicuous place readily visible from the public road. Requests are made 24 hours in advance of the work being ready. Inspections run first come, first served, and the requester cannot ask for a specific date or time. When the building official cannot inspect within a reasonable time because of workload and staffing, special inspection reports approved in advance can be prepared by a qualified architect or engineer, qualified inspector, or other inspection agency.
Section 110.3 lists the stages. The building official can require an on-site preconstruction consultation. Footing inspections come after trenches are excavated, forms erected, and steel reinforcing placed, before concrete (110.3.1), with drilled pier and foundation wall inspections under 110.3.1.1 and 110.3.1.2. Slab or under-floor inspections precede any concrete pour (110.3.2). A wall and roof nailing inspection follows sheathing and comes before wall wrap, felt, or ice and water shield (110.3.3), and the applicant must provide reasonable and safe roof access. The frame inspection (110.3.4) follows completed framing and installation of rough electrical, plumbing, heating, wires, pipes, and ducts. Energy Code inspections (110.3.5) cover insulation, duct leakage testing, and building envelope leak testing. Fire-resistant penetrations cannot be concealed until inspected and approved (110.3.6), and the official can add any other inspection (110.3.7).
The final inspection (110.3.8) requires completion of all building components plus exterior grading and drainage, with sewage disposal and water supply authorization and any outside agency approval in hand beforehand. A certificate of occupancy follows under Section 111.1.1, and Section 111.5 lets the building official issue a certificate of limited compliance where required inspections were not completed.
Violations & Fines
Work started before the permit is issued carries an investigation fee, at minimum equal to the permit fee, under Section 109.4. Section 114.4 sets a fine of not more than $100 on conviction, with each day a separate offense, and the County Attorney can seek an injunction or abatement. Section 111.5 covers projects where inspections were not completed: the certificate of limited compliance lists the inspections still needed and closes the permit, so a new building permit is required to finish or correct the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead do I request an inspection in unincorporated La Plata County?
What happens when the county cannot get to an inspection in time?
When is the footing inspection done?
What must be finished before the final inspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in La Plata County
Compare La Plata County to another location·View the Colorado building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.