Updated Permit Timeline Expectations

Below are the current projected turnaround times for all permits submitted in March 2021 from acceptance of an application for review to completing the first review round.

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Permits: 2-3 Days
Repairs: 2-3 Weeks
Additional Information: 2-3 Weeks
Re-Roof Permits: 2-3 Weeks
IFFR Permits: 2-3 Weeks
EPIC Permits: 3-4 Weeks
New Mini Permits: 6-8 Weeks*
Response to Comments: 10-12 Weeks
Simple Change Orders: 10-12 Weeks
New Minor Permits: 14-16 Weeks
Major Change Orders: 18-20 Weeks
New Major Permits: 18-20 Weeks

*This is a new category designed to speed issuance of truly minor interior remodels, needing review only by Building and Zoning. Discuss your project’s eligibility with a Permit Coordinator.

Revised Change Order Policy

The City of Aspen has updated our building permit change order policy. This policy replaces the most recent version, dated 7/16/2015. The new policy contains no major changes, but adds clarity to fees, eligibility criteria, and review priorities. In an effort to speed up overall permit review times, it is the goal of the City of Aspen to reduce the amount of change orders that are submitted. The new policy can be found HERE in our website.

Please reach out to John Barker with any questions.

Permit Process Improvement Initiatives

After a busy holiday season, the first weeks of 2021 have provided a welcome slowdown in new permit submittals. Community Development has taken this opportunity to make a meaningful dent in the building permit review queue, processing more than 30 permits from a stack of 100. This is a reduction of more than 30% from the start of 2021. In addition, we have introduced a new queue designation to help shorten the approval process for truly minor projects with no exterior disturbance.

As prime construction season nears, we are already seeing rising submittal requests. If you plan to start construction this summer, now is the time to submit! Please reach out to a Permit Coordinator to discuss your project prior to submittal, as well as to determine project eligibility for our new queue designation permit type.

Compostable Take-Away Collection

The Environmental Health and Sustainability department has installed a collection container at the Rio Grande Recycle Center for compostable take-away materials. This green, metal tote is available for people to put their empty and compostable take-away materials after getting to-go food from participating restaurants. Several restaurants use compostable service ware and this collection container ensures those materials are composted instead of landfilled. This is not a food collection container or a recycle bin. Please be sure the materials placed inside are compostable. This service is available through the winter months at no charge.

For home compost collection information and to compost food scraps, please go to https://www.cityofaspen.com/359/Compost-SCRAPS

City of Aspen Seeks Community Input
on 50-Year Water Plan

Third and final community input session will help shape long-term water plan

The City of Aspen’s Water Utility is offering its third of three community engagement sessions focused on its 50-year water plan on Wednesday, March 3 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. on the Zoom platform.

The third engagement focuses on several topics that are the backbone of the community’s 50-year water plan including: current and future water supply conditions; future water supply strategies; and research to date.

The discussion on the City’s supply sources is imperative as currently Maroon Creek and Castle Creek are the primary sources for the community’s water. Forecasts indicate there will be times when these sources may not meet the City’s needs due to future demands and climate change.

Part of the water planning process is to consider other options for sourcing sufficient water supplies, such as water storage or using ground water. Public input will contribute to how the City refines its future supply portfolio and makes investments for a resilient water supply strategy through 2070.

The session will include presentations and question and answer sessions related to a number of different future water supply strategies, how these strategies are being evaluated;, and the findings from research to date on the City’s supply and vulnerabilities.

Public input will help shape the final report for the water plan, which is expected by mid-2021.

More information on the project and registration for the March 3, 2021 community engagement is available at www.aspencommunityvoice.com